• If I have volunteered before - do I have to re-do the paperwork?

  • Your volunteer paperwork is valid for the calendar year. Each calendar year you will need to complete a “Volunteer Update Form”. This form will require you to update any information that has changed medically, or contact information. Furthermore, you will need to sign a new Waiver and Disclaimer each year. If you’re unsure of the paperwork required, please contact us and we will check your file!

  • Please note: Child Abuse Register and Criminal Record Checks will need to be re-issued every 3 years.

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• If I have volunteered before, do I need to attend another volunteer training?

  •  If you have attended a volunteer training when you first joined our organization, reach out to our Executive Director to see if you will need to attend an Update Training Workshop.​

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• I'm younger than 15 years old. Can I still volunteer?

  • Some exceptions may be granted and considered on an individual basis. Please submit a volunteer application and our office will contact you directly regarding opportunities and ways to become involved. ​

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• Do I need horse experience to volunteer?

  • No horse experience is required to volunteer. All volunteers must attend a volunteer training which will provide you with the basic knowledge and skills when working with horses and our program. You can always request additional training and one-on-one educational time from our staff if you would like more time to feel comfortable working around horses. Safety and education are very important to us.​

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• I work shift work and can't commit to a weekly time slot. Can I still volunteer?

  • We try our best to accommodate volunteers who work shift work. Ideally we try to find another volunteer who would only like to volunteer every other week in order to ensure the time slot is covered for our rider every week.​

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• What should I wear when I come to my volunteer slot?

  • Please dress for the weather! Our indoor riding ring is not heated. Our lessons in early April and into November can be quite cold. Feel free to wear gloves, hats and scarves, or snow pants during these chilly times of the year. We want you to be comfortable and warm.

  • All our volunteers for riding lessons must wear closed toe shoes or boots. These can be hikers, running shoes, work boots or paddock boots. Please do not wear sandals!!  We strongly recommend wearing pants and clothing that is not loose or “flappy”. If clothes ‘flap’ or are too loose, they can spook the horses or they can get caught in some of the equipment used. Please try to refrain from wearing jewelry, especially dangly jewelry that clients can grab or reach. 

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• I don't want to volunteer with horses. Are there other ways to get involved?

  • Yes! We understand that not everyone enjoys working directly with the horses in the riding ring and barn. We have various volunteer opportunities in our office with administration roles, or with upcoming special events and fundraisers. Contact our Executive Director for more information on how to join our team.​

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• Can I volunteer in more than 1 slot?

  • Absolutely! Some volunteers like to come for 2 or 3 lessons back to back on one day of the week. Volunteer slots are determined both in where there is need in the riding schedule and in each volunteer’s respective availability.​

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• What is the difference volunteering with a school group instead of a regular lesson?

  • A school group attends during school day hours (normally in the morning). Generally the school group is divided in half. While half of the students complete activities in the barn, the other group participates in a riding lesson. Generally we need only horse leaders for our school groups and require volunteers to commit to the 2 hour block each week to specifically lead in the ring. ​

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• Can I be a sidewalker and a leader?

  • There may be an opportunity to volunteer in both positions. Let our Executive Director that you are interested in volunteering in both capacities. This will be determined based on need, and horses being used in the lessons. ​

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• What if I'm sick or something comes up and I can't attend one week?

  • We understand if something comes up last minute, or if you’re sick. If at all possible we ask for 24 hours notice of a cancelled volunteer slot. This will allow us time to contact our substitute list to find someone to cover your time. 

  • If  notice is less than 24 hours, we ask that you text (902) 670-8402 as soon as you know you are unavailable