Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center

Specialties

Xenophon is a non-​profit 501©3 registered charity, offering both Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. In Therapeutic Riding, basic horsemanship skills are integrated into therapy goals tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Our licensed physical therapist and occupational therapist on staff facilitate the goals designed in our hippotherapy sessions.

History

Established in 1993.

Xenophon began at Carol Dwinell’s Black Point Farm in Martinez in August of 1993, with one horse and two students. Carol had lovely quiet vaulting horses that she allowed us to use for our fledgling program. We operated two days per week and had four lessons. We were lucky to have volunteers who loved what they were doing, so word got out that helping our disabled children on horses was a rewarding and enjoyable thing to do.

In 1996, we moved to our present location in Orinda, where we lease three acres from PG&E. With the help of several strong and talented people, we built the basic structures that we needed. In the following years, with the help of Chevron, we have added such amenities as a viewing deck and wooden shed for the horses. In 2011, thanks to the generosity of our donors, Clark Construction, McGuire & Hester, Contra Costa Electric and the Lescure Company, we were able to build a covered arena, winter quarters for our horses, and a new office building.