Plans, organises and manages horse trekking excursions for paying customers.

Participates in marketing the trekking services, answers queries and takes bookings; sets up, maintains and arranges transport of the necessary equipment (primarily saddlery but also first aid kit and maps); ensures that equipment is safe and in working condition; performs basic animal health maintenance tasks (washing, grooming, hoof maintenance); organises the horses and matches horses to customer needs; meets members of a horse trekking tour on arrival and makes introductions; organises and supervises groups of tourists riding horses typically over a pre-planned route; demonstrates and provides instruction in the use of equipment and riding techniques; provides advice on safety measures, and ensures that activities are conducted in a manner to minimise risk to participants; responds to emergencies by providing first aid assistance and takes appropriate further action if required; provides commentary and answers questions and advises on local interest points within a specific region; takes payment and may carry out other administrative work.

• Employees predominantly work outside, frequently in remote areas.
• Works only when the weather does not impinge on the safety of the event. Typically will not conduct treks in wet weather.
• Work with horses includes exposure to water, chemicals and animal excretions.
• Utilises protective equipment as required (a helmet in particular).

• Light to medium physical demand.
• Employees frequently stand or walk and when riding will constantly sit.
• Stretching or reaching is likely to be required when setting up equipment, performing animal health maintenance tasks and when mounting and dismounting.
• Squatting or crouching is likely to be occasionally required, when working with horses.
• Contact with water is likely to be occasional but contact with skin irritants not a significant requirement.
• Twisting of the body or neck is likely to be required occasionally to supervise group participants and survey the environment.
• Lifting, pulling or carrying is likely to be frequent when collecting and moving equipment.
• Bending will be occasionally required (e.g. when performing hoof maintenance tasks).
• Repetitive movements are required when riding and when horse grooming tasks.
• Use of hand tools and hand-held objects will be occasional to frequent and will involve saddlery, office equipment and clippers, cutters, files, brushes and scrapers.
• Mental skills necessary include analysis and decision-making, communication and organisational skills.

An NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement except when actually riding a horse whilst leading a trek.