Ocean Riders of Marin is a 501(c)3 organization which leases the Golden Gate Dairy Stables from the National Park Service. Our mission is to provide a safe and comfortable home for the horses, preserve the historic site and buildings, and provide outreach programs to under-resourced youth and adults who may have limited access to horses and nature. 

 

Located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Areas, our stables provide a home to 14 horses. Less than 100 years ago, the Muir Beach – Muir Woods area was home to multiple dairy ranches, all of which employed horses for ranch work and transportation. Horses have been essential to the development of our country and elsewhere in the world, yet land for them has become increasingly constrained. We believe it is a valuable endeavor to preserve a place where horses can have a happy life and where people can have an opportunity to observe and interact with these majestic animals.

 

Ocean Riders of Marin is run with a very lean staff.  We have a part time Stables Operation Manager and four additional staff who work from 4 to 10 hours per week. This is to feed horses 3x per day, 7 days per week, clean stalls on a daily basis, ensure water troughs are clean and full, rotate horses for their exercise and myriad other tasks. 

 

The Ocean Riders members who own horses pay a monthly board which covers the operational costs of housing and feeding their horse. They, along with volunteers, (including a volunteer Board of Directors) fill in the requirements of running a 365 day a year operation. 

 

As Park Partners and lease holders of the Golden Gate Dairy Stables, we are responsible for the care and maintenance of the property and the historic buildings, including the iconic hay barn.  These projects are funded through donations, fundraisers and fees from Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy (EALT) programs for individuals, groups and teams.