Barn Chore Assistant
Barn chores volunteers take care of all the little things that are easily overlooked – keeping the facility clean and in good working order. Jobs may include but are not limited to cleaning feed and water buckets, cleaning stalls and picking runs and pasture, general barn organization and cleaning, and assisting with special projects as needed.
We have daily shifts available.
Volunteers must meet the age and physical requirements of our standard barn chores volunteer program.
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Age requirement: 16 and over 14 & 15 with a parent or guardian
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Attend an orientation
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Complete barn chore training and pass off appropriate skills with the trainer
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Physical requirement: must be able to fulfill standard barn tasks
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Sign up for shifts in VSP required
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Horse Leaders
Horse leaders are an integral part of every adaptive horsemanship and therapy session provided at Affinity Ranch. Horse leaders are responsible for catching, grooming, warming up, and tacking the horse before the client arrives, or assisting the client with grooming and tacking in some cases. The horse leader controls and guides the horse during the lesson, ensuring the safety of the clients and volunteers. The horse leader must be able to take direction from the instructor or therapist, allow the client to guide the horse when appropriate, and still maintain control of the horse. Horse leaders must be safety-minded at all times.
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Age Requirement: 16 and over
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Physical Requirement: walk 60 min, jog short distances, and control horse at all times.
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Must participate as a sidewalker for 8 weeks and must get a recommendation from an instructor.
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Complete Horse Leader Training and have all skills mastered before becoming independent.
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Time commitment: 1.5 hours per lesson
Side Walkers
Many of the clients at Affinity Ranch require the assistance of 1-2 sidewalkers to ensure their safety while mounted. Sidewalkers greet the students when they arrive until the instructor, therapist, and horse are ready. Sidewalkers walk alongside the riders to ensure safety and help facilitate the lesson under the guidance of the instructor or therapist. Sidewalkers may be asked to demonstrate or help the riders with specific tasks, support or assist the rider physically, or facilitate games or activities as directed by the instructor or therapist. Sidewalkers may also be asked to assist with the mounting and dismounting of riders from the horse. Side walkers must be able to take direction from the instructors or therapists, work cooperatively with others, and be safety-minded at all times. Side walking does not require prior knowledge or experience with horses and specific training will be provided.
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Age requirement: 16 and over
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Must attend Orientation and sidewalker training
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Physical requirement: walk 60 min, jog short distances
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Time commitment: 1hr 30 min per lesson
Other Volunteer Opportunities
If you have special talents you would like to share with us we would LOVE to hear about them. We are always looking for volunteers to help with ​
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Fundraising
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Small Animals
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Ranch Projects
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Gardening
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Events and more
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