Horse Loving Volunteer

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One of the important mainstays our therapeutic programs is our volunteers. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks from light stable duties to horse handling. Volunteers involved in horse handling are responsible for grooming and saddling horses prior to lessons, and also function as leaders and/or sidewalkers during the lessons. BraveHearts also has many opportunities for volunteers who are not at ease around horses, such as administrative assistance, gardening, painting, fundraising and cleaning. We greatly appreciate your interest and can utilize your assistance.

Who can volunteer?

• Anyone over the age of 14
• Anyone with a desire to learn how to work with horses and people with disabilities
• No horse experience necessary

Trainings:

• Held every month. Please visit our website (www.braveheartsriding.org) for exact dates and times.

Where:

BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center
7319 Maxon Road
Harvard, IL 60033

BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre
4950 Route 173
Poplar Grove, IL 61065

How:

• Step 1: Attend a Sidewalker /New Volunteer Orientation
• Step 2: Fill out Annual forms
• Step 3: 18yrs old or old must complete a background check
• Step 4: Start volunteering

Contact - volunteer.director@braveheartsriding.org

What:

Volunteer training description:

Sidewalker/ New Volunteer Orientation:

• Introduction to BraveHearts and the programs and services we offer
• Information on volunteer opportunities within BraveHearts
• Volunteer duties and program policies
• Safety around horses
• Grooming
• Tack and other equine equipment
• Horse handling procedures
• Side Walkers’ role (Hands-on practice!)
• Emergency procedures and policies (Hands on)

Leader:

• Leader responsibilities
• Leading guidelines
• Mounting and dismounting (Hands on)
• Leading at walk (Hands on)
• Verbal cues for horses
• Leading at the trot (Hands on)
• Emergency procedures and policies (Hands on)