Post 6 - Vo.unteer Duties

Wow—I never considered how many people would be needed to facilitate one class or session for a single rider. In equine therapy, riders have different needs, and each student receives a lesson planned activity to facilitate their improvement.

Each individual who attends an equine therapy session is carefully monitored, and their session requires five volunteers or paid workers.

Barn Helpers  These volunteers feed, care for, and clean the horses. They also clean stalls, bring the horses into the barn, and feed them. Their responsibilities are 365 days a year, not just when the weather permits lessons.

Sidewalkers. Then there are two sidewalkers—one person on each side of the horse to make certain the student is safe and balanced on the back of the horse. They provide the rider with physical and emotional support and encouragement.

Horse leader. This person leads the horse through the lesson assignments as the student learns to manage the horse by vocal and physical commands.

Instructor. The instructor has a lesson plan to help improve each students’ posture, coordination, balance, flexibility, and dexterity.

All volunteers focus on safety and fostering a positive and beneficial session between the horse and the rider.