Volunteering

[Serianas]

Hi again all!

Ok so I gave up my share horse to save for my own but I have a massive gaping hole that I thought would be sealed by now... so I was wondering if I should volunteer with the RDA? I love chores, dont expect to ride and used to love leading small kiddies round on ponies (that sounds creepier than I imagined it in my head but you know what I mean lol)

So my question is does anyone do this? If so what has been your experience of it.

I know i would be doing it for selfish reasons but if the side effect is to make someone smile then maybe ill be absolved

 

[armchair_rider]

Do it, it's great fun. The amount you have to do varies. We are at a RS so the ponies are already caught and tacked up, we set up the arena, run the session and untack afterwards if the ponies aren't needed. We do one session a week which lasts about an hour, normally have 4 ponies and 8 riders.

As for your motives... I admit that i'm in it purely for the horses but some of the kids are lovely too.

 

[hnmisty]

My mum is the treasurer of our local RDA carriage driving group. She's always wanted to learn to drive, and now she finally is

Her group are always happy to have reliable volunteers, so find your local group and drop them a message

ETA: my mum's group own their horses rather than use RS ones, and some of their helpers do get to ride them at the weekends... just playing devil's advocate Where abouts are you? They are down in Somerset, if you're in that neck of the woods get in touch http://somersetlevelsrda.org/

 

[Serianas]

Such a lovely part of the world wish I was down there! Nah Im in Barnsley and luckily live not too far away from a branch I just worry that I wont be good with people (I can be quite shy and it come across as aloof some times)

Im going to pop them an email and see what they say

 

[L&M]

I used to volunteer for the RDA once a week, and my mum was heavily involved. The group I helped with was based at a riding school so the horses were prepared by staff, so my main involvement was helping the riders in their lessons.

Go for it - it is hugely rewarding, and if you help with the same group each time it is lovely to build up a relationship with both riders and the horses.

Have fun!