Unmounted Volunteer Training

About the Role UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center seeks volunteers to participate in Unmounted Volunteer Training across several tracks (Unmounted, Therapeutic Horse Experience, Vocational, and Group programs). Volunteers support horse safety, observe behavior, and assist with activities during lessons; term lengths vary (typically 6-8 weeks).

What You'll Do

• Observe horse behavior, potential safety issues, and serve as horse handler as needed.
• THE volunteers may be asked to assist with brushing, leading, and other lesson-related activities.
• Group volunteers are responsible for the horses within a group.
• Vocational volunteers coach students in horse care tasks and must know UpReach barn routines.
• All volunteers: participate in trainings such as Taking the Lead and UpReach Unmounted Virtual training, plus any in-person trainings as applicable.
• Commitment to attend lessons for the term length (6-8 weeks, varies by program).

What We're Looking For

• At least 18 years old.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Basic knowledge of horse behavior and communication.
• Physically able to stand/walk for at least 1 hour on varied terrain.
• Willingness to be flexible and follow directions.
• Actively seek opportunities to increase knowledge and awareness of trauma-informed care, horse and human behavior.
• For Therapeutic Horse Experience (THE) volunteers: must attend Taking the Lead training and then either Mounted Volunteer training or Unmounted Virtual and in-person training.
• For Vocational volunteers: must attend Taking the Lead training, watch UpReach Unmounted Virtual training, and have volunteered doing UpReach barn chores for at least 3 months.
• For Group volunteers: watch UpReach Unmounted Virtual training and attend in-person unmounted program training.
• For all roles: a commitment to the term length (6-8 weeks for unmounted; 7-8 weeks typically for curriculum-based groups).

Nice to Have

• None mentioned.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a volunteer position with no salary. Term length varies by track (6-8 weeks for general unmounted volunteers; curriculum-based groups typically 7-8 weeks).
• Training provided includes Taking the Lead and UpReach Unmounted Virtual training; some in-person trainings as applicable.