Volunteer Training

Lesson Volunteers

The principal tasks of a lesson volunteer include working with students in grooming horses (when students are able to), getting them physically warmed up for their lessons and “sidewalking” during the mounted portion to ensure the safety of our riders. Experience with horses and/or people with different life challenges is not required. From the Ground Up provides a three-hour training for all its volunteers, including our safety guidelines, introduction to basic horse care, and practice in sidewalking. All volunteers are required to attend a training session annually. You must be a minimum of 14 years old to become a lesson volunteer at From the Ground Up.
NOTE: When attending a volunteer training, dress in layers, bring a hat, gloves, sunglasses and wear hard-toe shoes (e.g. hiking boots).

After a minimum of 15 lesson hours volunteers may train for the position of Horse Handler/Leader. Leaders assist with horse care, help prepare the horses for lessons by assisting with grooming and tacking horses and lead the horse during lessons.