Join Our Team!

We appreciate your interest in coming to work with us! Current job openings can be found below. To apply or learn more, please contact the direct supervisor referenced within the specific role you are interested in.

Barn Manager

FULL-TIME / NON-EXEMPT / HOURLY

This position is responsible for overall barn cleanliness, efficiency and daily maintenance, equine feeding and health, and assisting with conditioning/training of Saddle Up! equines as needed. The Barn Manager is responsible for training, scheduling, and overseeing volunteer stable hands and for all organization systems (signs, instruction posts, etc.) required for accurate care and feeding of our horses by volunteers.

Responsibilities include managing and overseeing the feeding of equines, dispensing of daily medications and supplements, managing the supply and ordering of grain, supplements, medications and other barn supplies, performing tasks associated with the cleanliness and condition of barns and adjacent paddocks, and with horse health, specifically mucking stalls, cleaning buckets, feeders and automatic waterers, sweeping/blowing barn aisles, sweeping barn and cross-ties areas, keeping barn free of fire hazards and pests, emptying manure spreader, picking or dragging paddocks, cleaning tack and equipment as requested, bathing and grooming our 26 horses as needed, applying sunscreen and topical medications, bathing, blanketing, fly masks, cold hosing, etc. 

Position actively participates in the planning and oversight of group volunteer activities. The Barn Manager works closely with the Director of Equine Operations and Property Director. Must have a proven record of teamwork, reliability and excellent work ethic, be committed to our mission, enjoy working with volunteers, be able to manage the physical demands of barn and farm work, and enjoy working a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, some evenings, and Saturday or Sunday hours. Horse handling, care and feeding experience as well as experience with farm equipment is required. Strong riding skills strongly preferred. 

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
  • Current training for First Aid, CPR, AED Children and Adult.
  • Minimum of 4 years of experience in the equine industry, including health care, nutrition, training/showing or barn/facility management. Experience at an equine-assisted services program preferred.
  • Associate’s Degree or equivalent experience in a field related to equines, agriculture, farm management, etc.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience supervising and training staff or volunteers.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience operating small farm equipment such as RTV, manure spreader, golf cart, etc. Experience with large tractor and tractor attachments is a plus.
  • Experience with the daily use of Microsoft applications and Salesforce. Experience with Asana or other project management software is a plus.
  • Demonstrated experience in role requiring attention to detail, exceptional observation skills and ability to effectively multi-task under pressure
  • Must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
    • Ability to lift 25/50/80 pounds regularly.
    • Ability to sit, stand, walk, hear, speak, twist, bend, and lift.
    • Ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces.
    • Ability to see and respond to emergencies.
    • Ability to work in extreme weather
REQUIRED KEY SKILLS
  • First-Aid
  • Equine First-Aid
  • Lunging
  • Bandaging
  • Clipping
  • Trim/Pull
  • Exercising
  • People Skills
  • Long Reining
JOB BENEFITS
  • Full time, flexible schedule.
  • 9 (nine) Paid Holidays.
  • Paid PTO (personal time off).
  • Health insurance (50% paid by Saddle Up! on employee only 0 – 4 years; 75% paid by Saddle Up! employee only 4+ years).
  • Dental, Vision and Life Insurance available (employee paid) HSA/FSA.
  • 401K with discretionary employer match after one year of employment.
  • Worker’s Compensation Insurance 100% employer paid.
REPORTS TO: EQUINE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to the hiring supervisor for this role, Lindsey Wood, at lwood@saddleupnashville.org.

Farm Assistant

PART-TIME / NON-EXEMPT / HOURLY

The Farm Assistant is responsible for assisting with barn cleanliness and maintenance, equine feeding and health, and grounds and facility maintenance and upkeep as assigned. The Farm Assistant may be required to provide assistance with lessons when needed. This position provides important support for stable hand volunteers.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in horse handling and feeding, basic horse health, barn and farm
    maintenance activities.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience operating small farm equipment such as RTV, manure spreader, golf
    cart, etc. Experience with large tractor and tractor attachments is a plus.
  • Completion of Saddle Up! volunteer training and leader training. CPR training a plus.
  • Experience with the daily use of Microsoft applications and Salesforce.
  • Must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable
    accommodation.
    • Ability to lift 50/80 pounds regularly.
    • Ability to sit, stand, walk, hear, speak, twist, bend, and lift.
    • Ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces.
    • Ability to see and respond to emergencies.
    • Ability to work in extreme weather.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Oversee volunteers or perform duties associated with feeding of equines.
  • Perform barn cleaning and daily maintenance jobs, including, but not limited to, mucking stalls,
    sweeping barn isles/crossties, emptying the manure spreader, cleaning tack/equipment/grooming
    boxes, cleaning automatic waterers, applying sunscreen, blanketing horses, cold hosing, picking out
    paddocks.
  • Identify symptoms of equine illness and/or injuries and bring to attention of the Equine Team member
    on site or on call.
  • Administer daily and emergency medications for equines as directed by Equine Feeder Sheets.
  • Check medications boxes while on site to ensure that medications have been given and/or are
    prepared for next shifts; alert on call Equine Team member of any inconsistencies.
  • Assist as needed with providing preventive health care to equines, such a de-worming, bathing,
    application of topical medications.
  • Support volunteers as they perform barn chores, facility tasks, and equine care. Field volunteer
    questions regarding equine health, care, and/or behavior.
  • Assist in maintaining cleanliness of stalls, aisles, and crossties in the main barn and Red Barn.
  • As directed, update organization systems in the barns, including but not limited to, pasture
    assignment board, horse pictures, halter wall, winter blankets, rain sheets, etc.
  • Assist Property Director with farm and facility needs.
  • Assist in lessons as needed.
  • Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
  • Other duties as assigned.
REPORTS TO: PROPERTY DIRECTOR

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to the hiring supervisor for this role, Lindsey Wood, at lwood@saddleupnashville.org.

Instructor

PART-TIME AND/OR SUBSTITUTE / NON-EXEMPT / HOURLY

Saddle Up! Instructors are pivotal in providing children and youth with disabilities the chance to grow and develop through recreational activities with equines, which is the heart and soul of the organization as shown by our mission statement. Instructors are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of lessons tailored to the needs and abilities of each program participant. They are leaders of each riding team/session for which they teach and, as such, set the mode of operation, communication, interaction, and learning for all involved, including volunteers. Instructors serve as expert teachers for their riders and as ongoing mentors/trainers for lesson volunteers. They are on the front line of customer service to all those served by Saddle Up! – Riders, families and volunteers.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
  • Certification as a Registered or higher level PATH International Instructor
  • Good organizational skills
  • Ability to plan, implement, evaluate and document the effectiveness of lessons for each rider taught.
  • Ability to develop goals for each rider based on the rider’s abilities and with input from the rider’s family
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Self-motivated and able to manage time
  • Ability to manage, motivate and train volunteers
  • Knowledge of good horsemanship principles and practices (on the ground and mounted)
  • Knowledge of stable management
  • General knowledge of disabilities
  • Knowledge of therapeutic riding techniques
  • Professional in appearance and conduct
  • Commitment to positive communications, teamwork, team building and excellent customer service
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Understand and use the Saddle Up! RIDES ® system.
  • Teach at least two assigned lessons a week during regular sessions to maintain part-time status.
  • Teach on an as-needed basis to maintain sub-time status
  • Teach every session through the year as defined in the calendar at the beginning of the year unless given prior permission by either the Program Director.
  • Write and implement daily and individual lesson plans.
  • Ensure accuracy and timeliness of lesson paperwork.
  • Evaluate the ability of each participant and understand his/her disabilities.
  • Teach safe, effective, enjoyable, progressive and challenging recreational therapeutic lessons.
  • Conduct safety checks of students, horses and equipment and maintain safety during all lessons.
  • Arrive early enough for each lesson to assist with and oversee preparation of horses, equipment and set up for your lessons (recommendation is arriving up to 30 minutes prior to first scheduled lesson).
  • After your last lesson of the day:
    1. Clear the arena of any tools (toys, teaching devices) used during lessons, return items to their proper location
    2. Ensure your lesson horses are taken to the assigned location if they are finished with lessons for the day
    3. Sweep up your grooming stalls, clean up instructor toy area, instructor room, tack room or any other areas you have utilized
    4. Complete participant paperwork and file in their folders or a labeled notebook stored in the file closet.
  • Supervise volunteers and provide ongoing training during lessons.
  • Engage volunteers in being part of the lesson team and provide support to encourage retention.
  • Communicate regularly with volunteers regarding participant progress, goals and challenges and horse updates/behavior.
  • Be familiar with all the horses’ characteristics, movement, size, etc.
  • Complete written evaluations of ground manners and mounted movement and behaviors of all new horses.     
  • Assist with horse care and stable management as requested.
  • Attend monthly staff and Instructor meetings and other meetings as required.
  • Work in at least one Saddle Up! event.  Events include but are not limited to SUPER Show, Music Country Grand Prix and Chukkers for Charity.
  • Attend required Instructor or new trainings for volunteers (Leader, Longeing Clinics, Sensory trainings); etc. and all-staff meetings.
  • Maintain PATH International certification through membership and continuing education.
  • Uphold PATH International standards and Saddle Up! policies and procedures at all times.
  • Communicate regularly with parents/guardians on their riders’ progress, goals, challenges, etc.
  • Be a leader in building a positive working environment that fosters teamwork, open communications, and delivery of excellent customer service.
REPORTS TO: PROGRAM OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to the hiring supervisor for this role, Lindsey Wood, at lwood@saddleupnashville.org.

Therapist

PART-TIME / NON-EXEMPT / HOURLY

The Therapist – physical, occupational or speech-language pathology – is responsible for evaluating and treating pediatric clients in the Therapy Services program at Saddle Up!. Therapy services serves children, no younger than 2 or older than 18. This position supervises Instructor(s) and volunteers in therapy appointments.

Hours vary depending upon client load. Minimum target of 3 clients per week to coincide with the schedule set for Saddle Up!’s regular equine assisted lessons.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
  • Physical, Occupational or Speech therapy degree, pediatrics specialty preferred, from an accredited university.
  • Licensed, registered, or certified to practice therapy within the State of Tennessee.
  • Current and documented credentials from the American Hippotherapy Association or PATH International that meet the required PATH Intl. Standards.
  • Demonstrated professional experience providing physical therapy services to children.
  • Thorough understanding and knowledge of PATH International Standards, which are also supported by the American Hippotherapy Association.
  • Commitment to positive communications, teamwork and excellent customer service.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Works to ensure compliance with all state, federal, professional and PATH International laws, regulations and/or standards for hippotherapy.
  • Manages all client intake, scheduling, services, release, and documentation including:
    • Prescription from a physician as required by the Tennessee practice act.
    • Treatment plans that include long and short-term goals.
    • Progress notes, completed on a regular basis, that reflect the treatment and its modifications based on the response of the client.
    • Re-evaluations, completed on a regular basis, that update goals and plan, make recommendations for further treatment, discharge, or transition into another program.
    • Client files maintained in accordance with all professional standards.
  • Provides documentation needed by clients for them to file for insurance reimbursements.
  • Assists with evaluation and training of equines for use in hippotherapy.
  • Assists with training of volunteers who will be serving in the hippotherapy program.
  • Maintains professional certification that meets the standards of PATH Intl.
  • Upholds PATH International and Saddle Up! policies and procedures at all times.
  • Maintains personal professional liability insurance, minimum of $1,000,000 coverage.
  • Communicate regularly with families on their clients’ progress, goals, challenges, etc.
  • Be a leader in building a positive working environment that fosters teamwork, open communications, and delivery of excellent customer service.
  • Supervise volunteers and provide ongoing training during lessons.
  • Engage volunteers in being part of the lesson team and provide support to encourage retention.
  • Communicate regularly with volunteers regarding participant progress, goals and challenges and horse updates/behavior.
  • Attend scheduled therapist meetings and other meetings as required.
  • Maintains PATH Intl. Registered Therapist status or HPSC (through the American Hippotherapy Association).
REPORTS TO: LEAD THERAPIST, PROGRAM OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to the hiring supervisor for this role, Lindsey Wood, at lwood@saddleupnashville.org.

Lesson Assistant

PART-TIME / NON-EXEMPT / HOURLY

We are looking for a part-time (10+ hrs/week) Lesson Assistant to join our team!

This rewarding, hands-on position will be responsible for:

  • Assisting in lessons, preparing horses, leading, or sidewalking
  • Supporting new volunteers as they join our lesson schedule
  • Helping maintain cleanliness and organization of the arena, tack room, & barn areas

Saddle Up! provides training to new Lesson Assistants, but prior horse experience is required. The right person should have prior knowledge and demonstration of safe horse handling, grooming, and tacking skills.

REPORTS TO: VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIRECTOR

If interested, please email the hiring supervisor for this role, Sally Stonage, at sstonage@saddleupnashville.org.