In a safe and secure environment, we offer life-changing experiences for children with a wide range of disabilities — from autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and developmental delays to cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Noonan Syndrome, and many others. Our veteran’s program allows veterans from all theaters an opportunity to connect to their best selves through the practice of horsemanship.

Role and Responsibilities

The instructor is responsible for planning, executing, and documenting a safe and challenging adaptive riding lesson. In order to accomplish this, the instructor will:

• Ensure that all tack and equipment is safe and appropriate for the client

• Ensure that the lesson horse is sound and appropriate for the client

• Provide coaching and direction to horse handlers, sidewalkers, and other volunteers during the lesson period

• Maintain communication with parents, and provide timely updates regarding their child’s/children’s progress.

• Maintain client records in accordance with PATH standards and Xenophon’s expectations

• Evaluate program participants as requested by the Program Director
  

Qualifications

• PATH CTRI or in pursuit of PATH CTRI certification

• Minimum one year experience working with children with special needs

• Minimum one year experience instructing children to ride (standard riding program okay)

• Intermediate to advanced riding skills

• Part-time availability

Pay

$23.34/hr for those in pursuit of CTRI certification; $25.47/hr for those with current PATH CTRI certification

Overview

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and highly capable Barn Manager to oversee the daily operations of our private, 9-stall therapeutic riding center in Orinda, CA.

This full-time leadership role requires significant experience managing performance horses, including conditioning, soundness management, nutrition, and coordination with veterinarians, farriers, and other equine professionals. The successful candidate will bring this level of expertise to a therapeutic riding environment, recognizing that exceptional horse care is essential to providing safe, consistent, and enriching experiences for our riders.

The Barn Manager will oversee all aspects of horse care and barn operations with some facility management, while fostering a professional, accountable, and collaborative team environment. We are looking for an organized, proactive leader who is committed to maintaining the highest standards of equine care and who takes pride in ensuring our horses thrive as valued partners in changing lives through therapeutic riding.

Responsibilities

Equine Care and Management

• Maintain each horse’s health and fitness and be able to cater exercise schedule and nutrition to the horse's individual needs. 

• Maintain routine medical and farrier care, maintain horse incident and training records.

• Provide proposals to the Director for new or increased horse expenses. 

• Be available as the first responder and “go-to” person in day-to-day and emergency situations, being able to provide clear and calm instruction or support in any situation.

• Order hay, supplements, and other horse-related supplies and maintain all tack/equipment used.

• Prepare horses for lessons by performing regular groundwork, lunging, or rides with each horse based on their needs.

• Stay up to date on PATH International standards as they relate to equine workload, care, and handling.

Training

• Select, test, and train new horses for programs.

• Oversee usage of horses in programs, ensuring they are performing at their best.

• Be available to assist horse handlers or instructors with horses during lessons as needed.

• Maintain an exercise riding program for horses –– scheduling and managing exercise riders when applicable.

• Train and oversee grooms, horse handlers, and longliners in tandem with Volunteer Coordinator.

• Monitor grooms’, horse handler’s, and longliners’ performance and make corrections as needed.

Reporting

• Communicate with staff about any horse related needs or issues.

• Monitor and record exercise and lesson hours for each horse and communicate availability and overages to inform program schedule planning.

• Collaborate with instructors to help select the best mount for clients based on client needs and strengths of individual horses.

• Provide timely reports to the Director for board meetings as requested.

Facilities

• Monitor status of manure bins and coordinate emptying with internal and external parties.

• Monitor status of pastures, arenas, footing, etc and communicate with Director about issues/repairs as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing a professional equine facility, with demonstrated leadership in daily barn operations and equine exercise. 

• Strong knowledge of equine health and wellness, with experience coordinating care alongside veterinarians, farriers, dentists, bodyworkers, and other equine professionals.

• Experience working in a therapeutic riding environment is a plus but willingness to learn about therapeutic riding programs is a must.

Compensation

• $30 - $35 per hour

• Paid Time Off

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Dedicated funds for continuing education