Volunteer
"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire."
- Sharon Ralls Lemon
Click here for more inforamtion on our next volunteer training. If you would like to attend call our volunteer coordinator, Jeanette, to reserve your spot today. 936-870-3475
Getting involved at Sundance Equine Assisted Therapies is a great way to give back to our community. Become a volunteer, and you will be able serve children and adults with disabilities. Your donation of time, money, or in kind gifts will directly benefit those who need it most.
Serving Grimes County, Brazos County, Madison County and all parts of the Brazos Valley, Sundance Riding Center is working on becoming a warm and welcoming community hub, improving the lives of the people it serves while providing rich and numerous opportunities for area volunteers and equine professionals.
The volunteers are the key to the program. It is only with the help of the volunteers that we keep our rates affordable and our lessons safe and enjoyable, and our horses healthy and happy. Here are a few descriptions of ways people volunteer:
The Volunteer Sidewalker
A sidewalker is a person who acts as a "spotter", assisting a rider with a disability by walking alongside him/her while mounted on the horse. Instructors may also ask for assistance from a sidewalker while in the barn, when the rider is preparing or caring for the horse before and after the mounted portion of a Therapeutic riding session. Most importantly the role of the side walker is to be attentive, helpful, and willing to assist those around them.
Volunteer General Information
What to Wear
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For safety, as well as comfort, volunteers should dress in close-fitting clothing. Loose, floppy clothing can get caught and tangled with equipment. Closed toe shoes ONLY! No flip-flops or sandals. It hurts when a horse steps on your foot, so make sure your footwear is sturdy.
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Dress in layers that you can shed as you exercise, especially during cooler months - it’s cooler and windy at the barn. Bring a jacket, even if you don’t need it.
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During the summer, be sure you dress coolly and wear a hat that will not fly off. Sunglasses are a plus on sunny days and sunscreen is recommended. We do not have a covered arena or round pen, so you will be in the sun and wind.
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You will be doing a lot of walking, and maybe even jogging, on uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes are important.
The Barn Volunteer
At any given time of the year is home to hard-working and wonderful horses. No matter what is happening, the horses needs remain the same, and consequently, the job of seeing that the horses needs are met, is never-ending! The barn is the center of operations, and needs to be kept clean and safe. The tack and other equipment used by the horses must also be cleaned and inspected regularly for safety and longevity. A barn volunteer might sweep up the barn aisle, scrub water buckets, clean saddles and bridles, and help groom horses. Available hands will be put to work when it's time to set up for an event.
Sign-in Procedures and Recording Hours
Your volunteer time is important to us, and we recognize outstanding volunteers. Please be sure to record your hours each time you come to the barn. Sign-in sheets are kept in a folder outside the therapy room. Include your drive time and round of your hours to the nearest half hour (this does not apply to Community service time cards).
Minimum Age Requirements & Insurance, Liability Release
Volunteers need to be age 13 or in 7th grade to be allowed to work directly with our horses and riders, due to insurance regulations. Underage youth are welcome to clean tack, sweep the stable area, clean stalls, etc. Because working with horses can be potentially dangerous activity, all prospective volunteers must sign the liability release paperwork in the volunteer registration packet.
Volunteer Packet; Once the completed forms are received, someone from SEAT will contact you. You can email the forms to info@sundancetherapies.org or fax them to 936-870-3476.
For more information email us at info@sundancetherapies.org or just give us a call at 936-870-3475
Testimonies from our Volunteers coming soon.
