Equine Therapy & Volunteers

Equine therapy involves riding horses to improve one's physical, mental or emotional health. While many believe that equine therapy is only for physically disabled individuals, anyone from a recovering addict to a child with low self-esteem can benefit from equine therapy. Volunteers are an integral part of any equine therapy program, but they should be aware of what will be expected of them prior to becoming a volunteer.

  1. Significance/Function

    • Equine therapy is designed to teach individuals with emotional, physical or mental challenges to ride horses. The goals of equine therapy for physically disabled riders are to increase strength, flexibility and balance. For those who are emotionally or mentally challenged, the companionship between the horse and rider can help increase self-esteem and patience. For all riders, equine therapy can promote independence. Volunteers are crucial to equine therapy as they offer administrative support, care of animals and assistance to riders.

    Volunteer Qualifications and Training

    • Equine therapy volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. Because of the broad range of duties that volunteers perform, prior experience with horses or the disabled is not always necessary. Physical fitness is important for many duties of equine therapy volunteers. Overall, a desire to help students develop their riding skills and create a safe environment for them is an important qualification. A willingness to groom horses, clean stables and do other maintenance duties is important as well. All equine therapy volunteers receive proper training to help them understand and complete their volunteer requirements.

    Volunteer Duties

    • Depending on where you volunteer, the duties may be different. Both lead walkers and side walkers are needed to help with training. Lead walkers control the speed and direction of the horse, while side walkers help students stay balanced on the horse if necessary. Volunteers may also be asked to groom horses' manes, coats and hooves, saddle and bridle horses or maintain student safety. Cleaning stables and performing other administrative duties are other options for volunteers.

    Volunteer Goals

    • When working directly with horses and riders, the goals of volunteers are to help the rider improve her skill level. The indirect goal is to increase the rider's self-confidence and independence. Improving students' abilities to do certain tasks on their own is important and requires allowing the student to try things on his own. Another important goal is ensuring the safety of students by making sure they wear the proper gear and intervening in any emergency situations.

    Considerations

    • When considering becoming an equine therapy volunteer, understand that being responsible is extremely important. Only volunteer if you are truly invested in helping others and are also willing to do administrative or maintenance duties. Once you begin your duties, follow all directions carefully. Equine therapy can offer just as many benefits to volunteers as it does to riders.