Laughing Pony Rescue

I volunteered at Laughing Pony Rescue for several years. I loved working with the horses, learning about how to care for them and getting to know them but my work schedule got too demanding and I had to stop. There is a lot of physical work to do on the ranch but it's really rewarding when you see the horses run and play! They also work to rescue horses and donkeys and help them recover and find new homes. Volunteering on the ranch is a great way to get exercise and fresh air and help out animals. You might also consider donating if you can as it is expensive to feed and care for the horses and other animals on the ranch.

If you are looking for hands on work around horses, this is the place. I volunteer on the morning shift from 7-12:30. It can be hard work - mucking, sweeping, feeding - but so rewarding when you know how much you're helping some of these amazing animals. Plus there is lots of time to interact with the horses and learn all that is involved in caring for and treating them properly. Although the horses have been rescued from sad situations, you'd hardly know it by seeing them now. They are happy and getting healthier every day. It's great to be a part of that. Plus, Celia is a wealth of horse knowledge. If you ever contemplated getting a horse, volunteering here gives you a tremendous respect for the time and commitment the proper care and feeding of a horse requires. Volunteers considering this should be really committed to being at their shift every week unless they can find another volunteer to cover for them.

The Laughing Pony Rescue is a great place to volunteer because it is aimed at helping the horses but also people with disabilities. I would recommend it to anyone outdoorsy with a "rolling up your sleeves and get things done" mentality (and anyone who doesn't mind getting a wet horse smooch every once in a while). It is very rewarding to see when one of the rescues finds a new home and I personally learned a lot about understanding horses better as the owner has years of experience in training and breaking horses.

I believe animals have the ability to help those who are down or with disabilities, they have a natural healing power and make you happy