CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
7A71
HOSTLER
GENERAL
DEFINITION
This is semi-skilled work in the care of riding horses and the maintenance of stables
during an assigned or rotating shift. Work is performed under the supervision of a group leader
and involves conditions which can be only partially controlled and requires moderate physical
effort.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a
position to be approved for this class.)
- Employees in this class perform semi-skilled work in the care and maintenance of horses
and stables.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK
(ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
- Grooms horses using curry combs, wash clothes, brushes, and mane and tail combs;
bathes horses using medicated shampoos; picks horses' hooves using hoof pick; inspects horses'
shoes for wear and looseness; treats and packs horses' hooves for thrush as necessary; clips
horses with electric body and ear clippers; inspects general condition of horses; cleans horses'
sheaths as needed.
- Tacks horses using saddles, pads, housings, bridles and breast plates; uses special
therapeutic pads as necessary; removes all tack after patrol.
- Cleans saddles, bridles and other tack using saddle soap, leather conditioner and other
cleaners as needed; oils tack to prevent dry rot; cleans metal with polish and steel wool.
- Cleans stalls by removing dirty straw with pitchforks; cleans stall floors with rakes and
push brooms; replaces dirty straw with fresh straw; places hay in stalls; inspects stalls for
damage; checks for exposed nails; removes cob webs and dust from walls and ledges.
- Cleans tack room, operations room, staff room, bathrooms, locker rooms and hallways.
- Cleans catwalk, hayloft, loading deck and surrounding areas of barn; hoses and scrubs
barn aisleways; washes stalls and outside areas on a periodic basis.
- Waters horses at trough or in box stalls; hay and feeds horses according to horses'
weight, appetite and condition; mixes and dumps feed; administers medicines and supplements
in horses' feed as necessary.
- Turns out horses for the purpose of exercise.
- May administer medications using a dose syringe or balling gun; cleans wounds and
applies medication and bandages as needed; takes horses temperature using a rectal thermometer
when necessary.
- Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS
AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- basic horse anatomy.
- the general care of horses.
- feeding and grooming practices of horses.
ABILITY TO:
- control horses under varying circumstances.
- recognize and report horse symptoms of illness and sickness.
- understand and follow oral and written instructions.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING
AND EXPERIENCE
(The following statement
represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject
applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based
on training and experience requirements as approved on 3/70.)
- Ability to read and write English.
- One year of experience in the care, feeding and grooming of riding, racing or show
horses.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
PAY RANGE: 8
Class Established: 1/1953
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC - 11/1996 ; Ad Board - 3/1997
AM/ps
END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 7A71