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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Sidewalker: Walks alongside the horse assisting the rider in maintaining balance. Different methods are used depending on the skill and need of the rider. For example:- Place your arm closest to the rider across the riders's thigh and grasp the front edge ot the saddle. - Hold the rider's safety belt to assist with balance. - Walk beside the rider's leg to assist when needed. Sidewalkers focus the student's attention on the instructor. Sidewalker do not give students more support than needed. Some riders need two sidewalkers, others may need only one. A few riders are advanced enough that they do not require sidewalkers with them at all times. 
Horse Leader: Holds the lead rope 4 to 6 inches from the clasp. Leader stays even with the horse's head, not behind or in front. Leader waits until the rider initiates actions. The horse leader is responsible for the rider’s safety. The leader must be able to take charge of the horse and assist the rider’s control when necessary. Advanced riders do not need a leader at all times.Both sidewalkers and leaders interact with the riders. Volunteers in these positions should enjoy working with children and around horses, be in fairly good health, have lots of patience, and be able to follow instructions while helping students relate to directions from the instructor. Please refer to the Volunteer Info Packet for a more complete description of the duties and responsibilities of sidewalkers and leaders. 
Two other volunteer positions, maintenance and barn help, do not usually interact directly with the riders. Maintenance and barn helpers are responsible for making sure the riders have a safe and clean environment. In general, these positions do not need to maintain a regular schedule that coincides with our rider’s schedules. What these volunteers do need is dependability, fairly good health and the willingness to do a little manual (and sometimes dirty) work.
Maintenance: Assists with maintaining riding trails, cutting and clearing overhanging tree limbs, and general repairs around the farm. 
Barn Helper: Assists with cleaning stables, brushing horses, and cleaning riding equipment.People who volunteer for these positions should take pride and satisfaction in knowing that they are making a difference in the lives of people they may rarely see. When these jobs are done well, they are transparent to our riders, but we appreciate these efforts enormously. If you are interested in voluteering, please click here to visit our volunteer information page. |
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