About to begin volunteering at a therapeutic riding stable!

[CherylB]

Hi ladies and gentlemen! I just found this forum a few hours ago and since then I've been engrossed in reading and viewing pics and videos. I don't own a horse but I had a lot of experience with them when I was a teenager. I'm 49 now and I just heard of a place where they do therapeutic riding with handicapped individuals and it's very close to home!

I went to the Equine Care Workshop and this Friday I will be going to my first "barn orientation." I believe after that I can start to volunteer! I can hardly wait!

Does anyone have any tips to offer someone like me who has ancient horse experience but nothing lately? I mean, I went on a one-hour trail ride right before Thanksgiving, but that was "pay by the hour" and it was hardly stimulating. But it did wet my appetite for more, and that's how I found this new gig!

I hope to get to know you and to learn much from you. Once I get busy at the farm (they call it a farm. They have six horses, two goats and a few bunnies), I will post some pics of their animals and me working with them. (That will come later.)

Wish me luck! One thing I could really use is advice on how to cool my jets, so to speak. I am so EXCITED and I don't want to start off on the wrong foot. How can I center myself so that when the animals are exposed to me, I don't get a bad rep?

[Monty77]

Therapeutic riding barns are amazing places. I've volunteered at several over the past couple years and love it. If your worried about being to excited then just take a little time to relax once you get there and take your time when dealing with the animals. Chatting with the animals and people usually calms me down if I get nervous/excited. Have fun and good luck!!
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[CherylB]

Thank you! I feel very blessed + grateful to be able to get involved in such a worthy endeavor.

[tinyliny]

I love your jets! Why would you want to cool such authentic enthusiasum? Things have a way of cooling that kind of energy down on their own, so don't hasten the process on purpose!
I am so glad you found our little community! WE are a great bunch and not everyone here owns a horse or has the opportunity to ride much. But, that is not required to be a member.
It will be fun to hear about your experiences there.
As for advice? We'll, just be a really good listener! Listen twice as much as you talk. Everyone loves a good listener!

[Ladytrails]

As a volunteer myself, I will add that the most important training I got was by being paired with a seasoned volunteer. I asked her to give me feedback and it was invaluable. I also learned that some of the therapists and instructors have very strict opinions about whether the leaders/sidewalkers should be talking to the students. Sometimes it's really important to help calm down the timid students; sometimes it's distracting (especially the autistic or ADHD kids) and pulls their attention away from the therapist which isn't desirable. Just ask and as others have said, listen and observe!

You will be so blessed by this experience....

[CherylB]

[Country Woman]

I went riding last July for the first time in a very long time
I first groomed the horse and picked out his feet
I then saddled him and I surprised mt husband that I could
Lift the saddle and cinch it up
I then put the bridle on
Then I got on and started riding an it a ll came
Back to me

Now after moving I would like to start riding again

[kait18]

learn from the person who knows the horses best.
Have fun
And remember to look at the child/adults face who has just conquered a great experience in there life :) the smile will speak 1000 words

[CherylB]

Country Woman, if I can find a place like this only 3.25 miles from my home, I'll bet there are places like this near you, too. I asked a random question on an online forum and I got a number of responses regarding this facility. At first it didn't appeal to me because I wasn't looking to be a volunteer, but the more I looked into it, the more I realized this was tailor-made for me.

Kait, AMEN! I'm a disabled nurse so this is going to scratch a lot of itches. Serendipity City!

[Ladytrails]

Some hints - in your 6 layers of clothes you can pack away.....kleenex for kids' runny noses, and spare gloves (the stretchy one size fits all kind) because those little fingers get mighty cold when moms and dads forget to bring mittens or gloves... In the summer, carry spare ponytail scrunchies for the kids and more kleenex for snot and sweat, and something like a bandana for you to wipe your sweaty brow!

And, on at least one day in each session, pack a camera so that at the end of the session you can have someone take a picture of you with your student and horse!