The Volunteers
Volunteer Job Description
A minimum of 3 hours/week, once a week is required. Main duties are helping and assisting handicapped persons to ride/drive horses as a form of therapy.
Details: The volunteer helps to prepare the horse for the class (grooming, fitting tack, etc.) which is done under the supervision of the riding instructor or senior volunteer who is in charge of training and orientation of incoming volunteers. Once the horses are ready, the volunteers then act as either leaders of the horse, or as sidewalkers. The sidewalkers are required for any rider who has a balance problem and/or little or no muscle control below the waist. They give support to riders when required, and are present at all times in case of need. After the classes (always at least 2), volunteers take the horses back to the barn, put them back in their stalls, and generally tidy up the barn, tack room, etc., and clean and put away the tack.
We require our volunteers to be at least 16 years of age, or older, and in relatively good physical condition (some running involved). Also, you must be comfortable around horses and able to work well with people.
Wear comfortable clothes, including shoes/boots that are easy to move in and provide a good amount of protection of the foot for safety. Safety shoes/boots preferred, long pants. No shorts.
Volunteer Training
All volunteers undergo training, either through training sessions or by on-the-job practical training. These include grooming techniques, tacking, ring etiquette and procedures, mounting and dismounting, and horse handling skills. Safety in all aspects is stressed, and volunteer manuals are full of information for study.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for this program can contact Lydia Dubanow, our Program
Co-ordinator at Rainbow Stables at .
