Hello from the center aisle! It’s VERA here, with LC nearby, supervising lessons from her preferred vantage point (she insists Fridays are her official lesson-assistant days). We’ve been doing a lot of observing lately—and by observing, we mean napping with one eye open—and we’ve come to an important conclusion:
Everyone at High Hopes has a job. And every single one matters.
Now, Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Services are a little different from your average horse barn. Around here, it takes a whole team of very special humans (and horses… and cats) to make each class safe, smooth, and meaningful. There are your Certified Instructors, who guide each lesson, teach skills, and oversee everything happening in the arena. They’re the ones setting the tone, reading the group, and making sure learning and connection happen together, safely. Alongside instructors are the horses—the true backbone of our programs and teachers in their own right. They listen without judgment, respond with honesty, and meet each participant exactly where they are. Through their steady presence, gentle movement, and willingness to connect, they help build confidence, communication, and trust in ways words never could. We cats consider them the wisest staff members on campus.
Depending on the class, you’ll often see sidewalkers walking right alongside participants. Sometimes one, sometimes two—offering encouragement, repeating instructions, and helping build confidence one steady step at a time. We cats are big fans of moral support. (VERA provides it silently. LC prefers dramatic eye contact.) Then there are the horse leaders, whose job is to make sure the horse is comfortable, happy, and understood. They notice the smallest details—an ear flick, a change in stride, and communicate with instructors and sidewalkers so everyone can adjust as needed. Horses have feelings too, you know. They tell us everything.
Behind the scenes are our incredible barn volunteers. They tidy up after lessons, prep and care for the horses, and most importantly, feed the cats. They bring joy, laughter, and an extra set of hands wherever they’re needed. We supervise them closely. Inside the office, office volunteers greet families, answer calls, and keep the place running smoothly in ways that are easy to miss but impossible to replace. In the early mornings, feeders brave the best and worst weather to keep our herd fed and content, and paddock cleaners do the very important work of keeping horses healthy (yes, this involves a lot of scooping—respect).
And then there’s the wider High Hopes family: donors and community supporters, who make financial aid, general operations, and access to programs possible. Because of them, participants can focus on learning and connection, not barriers. Let’s not forget the staff behind the scenes—lesson assistants, managers, directors, trustees, planners, and problem-solvers—making sure every detail lines up so programs can happen safely and successfully.
Someone wise once said there’s no “I” in team, and around here, we live by that. Every role is deeply intertwined. Remove one, and the whole picture changes. Add one helping hand, and everything runs more smoothly.
And of course…there’s us.
As barn cats, our duties are critical. First and foremost, we manage the campus critter population—no poisons here, thank you very much. By keeping the mouse patrol natural, we protect the grain and feed supplies while also safeguarding our bird and fox friends (and even neighboring barns), who might otherwise be harmed by secondary poisoning. All in a day’s work for a pair of highly trained professionals. We also oversee barn activity, inspect tack rooms, warm laps, and quietly observe lessons (LC takes attendance; VERA evaluates posture).
Some jobs involve clipboards.Some involve catching mice.All are critical.
That’s how High Hopes works—many hands, many hooves, many hearts, all working together toward one shared purpose.
Until next time, VERA (Chief Operations Observer) and LC (Friday Lesson Assistant) 