Volunteer
Your help can change lives
Passionate about your community? Want to help change and touch the lives of children and adults struggling with physical, social, and emotional needs around your community? Exceptional Equestrians is looking for people like you to join our team.
Volunteers are vital to our mission to better the lives of people of all abilities through the healing power of horses. Because of volunteers like you, we are able to serve over 100 families each week.
What does volunteering look like at Exceptional Equestrians?
We have volunteer opportunities available Monday-Friday between 9:00am-7:00pm. Individuals serve one of two roles, either a side walker or horse leader.
A regular weekly time commitment is preferred. On average, most of our volunteers come anywhere from 1-3 hours each week at a regular scheduled time.
Individuals must be at least 14 years of age.
All volunteers that assist during riding sessions start in the role of side walker for a minimum of two weeks. Volunteers who have horsemanship experience can complete our horse leader assessment with the equine manager and transition into horse leaders.
Horse Leaders
Horse leaders control the equine during therapy and adaptive riding sessions and, with direction from the therapist or instructor, are responsible for maintaining a safe and effective session. Horse leaders must have previous horse experience through riding lessons, owning or leasing a horse, or other comparable experiences. Duties include leading the equine during sessions, grooming, tacking, and untacking, bringing in or turning out horses, basic barn chores, and other duties as needed.
Horse Leaders must demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in:
Grooming
Tacking (Western and English)
Leading at the walk and trot
Basic equine behavior
Side Walkers
Side walkers walk alongside the horse and rider and assist in keeping that rider safe during their session. Following direction from therapist, side walkers may be asked to engage with their riders and assist in therapeutic activities unique to each rider. Side walkers also assist in sanitizing equipment after each session including helmets, belts, toys, and therapy equipment.
No experience is necessary. Training is provided.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Facilities assistance with cleaning and maintenance
Special events help
Large or small group volunteer opportunities available
Have questions?
