Support clients with special needs in their therapeutic riding classes- Join our vibrant community on a beautiful horse farm
- Bond with our cherished clients and gentle horses
- No horse experience necessary
- Ages 14 and up
Thank you for considering becoming a volunteer at Windrush Farm. We have opportunities for people without horse experience as well as experience horse people. Whether you have an hour a week or a day a year we have an opportunity that will match your availability and your interests.
We offer a short training session for all volunteers who will be helping in class.
Volunteers should be able to walk and jog alongside the horse at a trot. We also offer a few “walk-only” classes.
Contact: volunteer@windrushfarm.org or call 978.682.7855
Sidewalkers
No horse experience is required for to be a sidewalker.
A sidewalker walks and/or jogs alongside the horse to help keep the rider safe and achieve his/her goals. This may involve a safety hold of the client for an entire lesson, or a more hands off approach, depending on the needs of the client. The sidewalker is an extension of the instructor, who helps guide and coach the client through the lesson.
Horse Handlers
Some horse experience is required to be a horse handler.
A horse handler will:
- Bring the horse from the barn to the arena
- Lead the horse during the class
- Return the horse to the barn
For our unmounted programs, horse handlers help the client learn to groom and tack a horse.
Horse handlers need to have good horse experience (such as owning a horse or similar experience) and a willingness to utilize Windrush techniques to keep handling skills consistent for our horses.
Barn Buddies
Volunteers in our “Barn Buddies” program work one-on-one with a client, who may or may not be accompanied by a caregiver. The volunteer will help teach the client about various topics which may include horse behavior, horse management, horse health, and barn management. Barn Buddy volunteers should have good recent horse experience and a willingness to utilize Windrush horsemanship techniques.
Summer Program Volunteers
We run all-day week-long programs for children from the end of June until mid-August.
We need volunteer
s with horse experience to help with both our recreational and therapeutic programs. Volunteers are an extension of the instructor. They help teach our clients to groom and tack, and give lots of encouragement! Volunteers also help with general barn chores such as turnout and feeding. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one full week of volunteering in the summer. Some programs include reading, writing and gardening as part of the curriculum.
Corporate, Community or School Group Volunteering
Windrush Farm is a 38-acre working farm, with access to miles of trails. We always have something do on the property! We welcome groups to help with a wide variety of projects including: painting, cleaning, washing, fence mending, clearing trails, building new pathways, weeding ans mulching . Projects can be from two hours to a full day. We look forward to seeing you and your co-workers and friends on the farm and thank you in advance for your help with maintaining Windrush for our clients and horses.
Please visit our “Become a Volunteer” page to sign up online
Questions? Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator:
volunteer@windrushfarm.org or call 978.682.785