Volunteering

[Beamish]

Hi,
I am in the fortunate position that my work have gifted me 5 days volunteering to use for whatever I choose.
I would love the opportunity to use this to gain some experience with all things equestrian! I have some (minimal) experience with horses, having volunteered with a producer and owned a horse but this was 20 years ago. Therefore I am novice and rusty at best

So, I am on the lookout for any opportunities in or around where I live to gain more experience and may consider offering volunteering to a horse mad teenager in a middle aged woman's body. I'd be happy to help with anything and everything, am conscientious and sensible (most of the time) and would love the opportunity to learn. I would hope this could lead to volunteering on a more permanent basis.

What sort of routes would be worth exploring? I would like to build a list of key areas to work; eg groundwork and horse care but could do with some help from you lovely people as to what the specifics of each of these (and other) areas I should try and focus on.
Also, the types of establishments / yards it would be worth looking into that may benefit from an extra pair of hands but also be in a position that I could learn effectively.
Thank you

 

[Cutgrass]

Have you got a local RDA you could contact?

Otherwise, your local stables might offer a half or full day experience mucking out, etc., then having a ride, but they do charge people to do this.

Failing those options, speak to people in your local area and see if anyone's looking for help with their horses. You'd be best to find someone through a friend, as most people won't want someone unknown and inexperienced handling their horses in case something goes wrong.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

RDA is the first one that springs to mind but the group I volunteer with isn't really doing anything currently - the riders are vulnerable, it is no longer a RS - and the horses are turned away. The other obvious place is at a city farm.

 

[ruth83]

Do work make any stipulations? EG must your volunteering be for a registered charity?

Are there any registered sanctuaries close to you? Be cautious of unofficial 'rescues'

 

[Beamish]

Thanks for the replies.
My local RDA isn't operating at the moment and therefore not in need of volunteers. I live in the countryside (North Dorset) so not city farms as such, although I am in contact with an Equine Assisted Learning place, so will be exploring that avenue.
The tip about registered sanctuaries is great so will look into that, although wary of 'pop up' rescues.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Have you got a local RDA you could contact?

Otherwise, your local stables might offer a half or full day experience mucking out, etc., then having a ride, but they do charge people to do this.

Failing those options, speak to people in your local area and see if anyone's looking for help with their horses. You'd be best to find someone through a friend, as most people won't want someone unknown and inexperienced handling their horses in case something goes wrong.

I was going to say the same thing! Also equine therapy programmes for individuals with PTSD. Well done you! I’m sure you will get loads out of it too x

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Thanks for the replies.
My local RDA isn't operating at the moment and therefore not in need of volunteers. I live in the countryside (North Dorset) so not city farms as such, although I am in contact with an Equine Assisted Learning place, so will be exploring that avenue.
The tip about registered sanctuaries is great so will look into that, although wary of 'pop up' rescues.

I looked online and there are some RDA centres still operating but not in North Dorset, how far will they pay you to travel? Loads of people also have retired horses who would love some attention and time too, some yards specialise in retirement livery. If you actually want to ride find a GOOD riding school and volunteer in exchange for learning horsemanship and maybe riding too, but you will likely need to provide your own riding kit including hat x

 

[Shay]

Is this 5 days a year or a one off block of 5 days?

With the best will in the world either is less useful to somethng like the RDA or equine assisted learning. Both need something more consistent. But could be used - cetainly the 5 days per year! - to volunteer with an affilliated group. I was thinking event fence judging, but I'm sure there are things is dressage and SJ too. You do get full training, you can be paired with an expereicned judge and it is a great way to spend a day! Equally Olympia horse show (not this year obviously!) offers free tickets to volunteers - although that is more selling programmes than horses. If its 5 days in one block for just now I wonder if a rescue sanctuary could use some help?

 

[Cutgrass]

Shay - RDA values everyone's contributions, no matter how small, and even a few days can make a difference. There are big jobs that it's great to have extra pairs of hands to help with as well as the day-to-day jobs that regular volunteers do.

 

[Beamish]

The volunteering is 5 days per year, can be taken as a whole week or split up as needed, although it would be best to use them November - Feb as that is a quieter time workwise. I'm also happy to contribute time outside of the work days so can be pretty flexible.
Thanks for the ideas, some great avenues to explore with riding schools, rescues and particularly interested in the affiliated avenue - especially the fence judging to explore, if there's training then even better!
Do you think riding clubs would also want on the ground help at events and clinics?

 

[JulesRules]

World Horse Welfare isn't a million miles from you. Might be worth talking to them? Or the donkey sanctuary? Depends how far you want to travel?
I think there is a heavy horse conservation place near Wareham as well.

 

[outdoor girl]

I know the riding club I'm involved with would welcome any help from volunteers. Not sure how much would be needed in the current situation with Covid, but come next summer they would welcome you with open arms. I'm sure that British Riding Clubs would also be interested in hearing from you about volunteering at their championships.