We need is volunteers to help in classes. If you don't have any experience with horses you can train to be a side walker, someone who walks alongside the horse helping the rider however is needed - could be anything from Physically helping them stay on the horse all the way down to being a spotter giving emotional support and helping the rider focus. If you have several years experience with horses you can train to be a horse handler, the person who brings the horse down from the from the barn and leads the horse during the class, their main focus is the horse and their behavior. We are located at 479 Lacy Street in North Andover Massachusetts. Volunteers must be 14 and up.
How it increases happiness
Helping others makes people happy, creating a relationship with the rider and the horse you work with on a weekly basis is amazing! You are also giving happiness to people who have challenges in their lives. Our clients get to enjoy the affection of these beautiful animals, they get to go out on trail rides and be in nature, which many of them don't get to do otherwise, they also gain physically by riding - core strength, balance, coordination which allows them to do more in other parts of their lives. All these things make them happy, and you can be part of it!
Steps to complete the task
Go to our website, windrushfarm.org, and fill out the volunteer registration, you will then receive a welcome letter with info on volunteering.
If you think that Windrush is a good fit for you, let us know that you would like the volunteer forms and we will send them through DocuSign.
Once all the paperwork is done, attend a 2 hour orientation and training session. If you want to side walk you are now all set, go to step 7!
If you want to be a horse handler you will need to side walk in 2 - 3 classes so that you can learn how the program runs and instructors can see if you would be a good fit for that job.
Attend a 2 hour horse handler training session, instructor will decide if you are ready to do in class training or need to do another session.
Complete 1.5 hour in class training working with our riders and an experienced volunteer.
Let us know your schedule so we can find a class with an opening for you!