Assistant Barn Manager

Help care for the horses at the heart of Brady.

Founded in 1987, James S. Brady Therapeutic Riding is a San Francisco nonprofit that helps children and young people build strength, confidence, and connection through the healing power of horses. Since 2019, Brady has operated on the grounds of San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, where we're home to a small herd of therapy horses and ponies.

We're looking for a dependable, hands-on Volunteer Assistant Barn Manager to work alongside our experienced team caring for our herd and keeping the Brady Barn, arena, paddocks, equipment, and grounds safe, clean, and organized.

You don't need to be an equine expert. We're looking for someone with some horse-handling and barn experience who is eager to learn, takes responsibility seriously, and can use good judgment when needed. Training in Brady's horses, routines, and procedures will be provided.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to build practical equine experience for a future career, or for a horse lover or retiree seeking a meaningful, consistent way to work with horses while supporting a nonprofit mission.

What You'll Do

Horse Care

• Help with late-morning and/or late-afternoon feedings.
• Feed hay, grain, supplements, and treats according to established plans.
• Check water sources and feeding areas.
• Safely handle and move horses and ponies as needed.
• Observe the horses and alert the team to anything unusual.
• Provide additional horse-care coverage when our primary team is away.

Barn, Arena & Grounds

• Help keep the barn, arena, paddocks, and grounds clean and safe.
• Muck and clean horse areas and feeding areas.
• Organize tack, grooming supplies, tools, storage areas, and the horse trailer.
• Assist with general grounds upkeep and identify maintenance or safety issues.

Supplies & Inventory

• Track hay, grain, treats, supplements, medications, and other horse-care supplies.
• Flag supplies that need to be reordered.
• Receive and properly store deliveries.
• Keep feed and supply areas clean and organized.

Schedule & Commitment

This is an ongoing volunteer role of approximately 10–15 hours per week, primarily in the late morning and/or late afternoon around feeding schedules.

You'll usually work alongside experienced Brady team members. Once trained, you'll also help provide coverage when our primary horse-care team is on vacation or otherwise away. You'll receive the instructions and horse-specific information needed before working independently.

You Might Be a Great Fit If You...

• Have some horse-handling and barn experience.
• Understand basic horse and barn safety.
• Are dependable, observant, organized, and comfortable with physical work.
• Can follow established routines while using good judgment when needed.
• Are comfortable working collaboratively and, once trained, independently.
• Want to learn more about horse care and barn management.

Extensive professional equine experience is not required. We'll train the right person in Brady's routines and the individual needs of our horses and ponies.

What You'll Gain

You'll become a trusted member of the Brady team while gaining hands-on experience in horse care, feeding, barn operations, inventory, and facility organization.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn from experienced horse people, take on greater responsibility as your confidence grows, and gain experience within a therapeutic riding nonprofit in the unique setting of San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.

Most importantly, your work caring for our horses helps make Brady's programs for children and families possible.

Physical Requirements

This is an active, hands-on role involving standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying supplies, pushing wheelbarrows, handling horses, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.