Purina Equine Research Intern

Purina Equine Research Intern

Purina Animal Nutrition is looking for a Summer 2024 Intern to work at the equine research unit in Gray Summit, MO. The Equine Research unit at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center conducts research focused on four main areas of equine physiology including exercise, growth and development, palatability and eating behavior, and digestive physiology and the microbiome. The unit houses approximately 75 horses ranging in age from newborn foals to senior horses.  Please note: No horses will be ridden during this internship. Opportunities to work in our state-of-the-art microbiology lab will be offered. These will include chances to participate in next generation-sequencing, ELISA’s and other laboratory techniques.

Internship Responsibilities:

• Daily research and sample collection associated with the nutritional research projects being conducted at the Equine Research unit.
• Assist with daily chores at the equine unit: daily feeding, maintenance, horse care, husbandry.
• A secondary focus will be working with younger horses on basic groundwork and desensitization. Some of the groundwork includes, but is not limited to leading, tying, trailer loading, giving to pressure, clipping and running on the treadmill, if age appropriate. 
• Opportunities to meet with local salespeople, researchers, and sponsored ambassadors may be available. 

Experience/Education Requirements:

• Student pursuing Bachelor’s degree in animal science, equine management, or agriculture related field
• Prior horse handling experience required
• 2 years prior experience in colt starting or young horse training.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Preferred Competencies/Skills:

• Passion for horses, training and an interest in pursuing a future career in the equine industry
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with customer focus
• Self-starter with strong leadership, initiative, accountability

Other Internship Details:

• Ability to work primarily Monday-Friday: 7:00am-3:30pm, although some weekends may be required and will be outlined in advance of scheduling
• Housing is available for the intern located at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center

If interested, please submit the following for consideration:  

• A resume specifically focusing on horse training experience
• A short cover letter (1-2 paragraph) explanation on your philosophy of horse training 
• References list is required

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.