New Equestrian Volunteer Program
Because Lake Fork Stables is a unique program, we haven't really had many volunteer programs or volunteer opportunities over the past three years. However, as we head in a new direction with the latest changes at the farm, we are exploring and offering new volunteer opportunities.
How Lake Fork Stables is Different
When you think of a therapeutic riding program, you often think of hippotherapy programs where there are horse leaders and sidewalkers. They also tend to have volunteer tasks like grooming and tacking horses.
Lake Fork Stables is different in that we are not a hippotherapy program nor are we a traditional therapeutic program. Our riding program focuses on the benefits of learning horsemanship, so our students are required to do all of the grooming and tacking themselves during their private lessons. It is our mission to support the low-income, military/veterans, foster, and autistic families in our community.
Furthermore, we're different in that we don't keep our horses in stalls, so we don't have daily farm work like cleaning stalls. Our horses live out at pasture 24/7 and are fed with automatic feeders. This means that we don't typically need help with feeding either, except for the barn cats!
New Volunteer Programs and Volunteer Tasks
Now that you understand how we are different, here's how we will work in more volunteering opportunities.
Our new volunteer program will start with an orientation. Some of this orientation will be via video. This orientation will discuss the different volunteer tasks we will have available, which include:
Facility maintenance (mowing, weed eating, dragging the arena)
Office tasks (can be done from home) or administrative volunteers
Community outreach and fundraising (Running booths or attending local events)
Special events (Farm Fall Festival and other events we may hold)
We will take a tour of the farm. We will then ensure everyone receives training in basic horse care and grooming. Horse experience is not required, but it is helpful. We don't work with wild or rescue horses, but some of our horses do require special care in how they are handled, specifically our mini horse Reign.
Those that do have horse experience may also be able to fill out a volunteer application to become an instructor. We do need an afternoon instructor during the weekdays.
Volunteering is open to children (10 and older with a parent) and adults. Individuals 16 and older are able to volunteer independently. We have tasks for all ages.
Barn Buddies
Barn Buddies will help with general chores around the barn and assist in caring for the horses. During lesson days, Barn Buddies may come to clean tack, assist the instructor, check water, pick up the pastures, and other tasks that need done. You should be able to lift at least 40 pounds. On days we don't have lessons, Barn Buddies will come to the barn to check the horses, check the cat food, make sure there's nothing dangerous going on with the horses (loose blankets, etc.), and ensure the horses have water.
Administrative Volunteers
Should working in the barn be difficult for you, but you still want to help, there are office and admin tasks that we need help with. This includes things such as sending thank-you notes to donors, sharing and posting to social media, graphic design, etc. Any volunteer efforts such as these are greatly appreciated as this organization is largely a one-woman show!
Community Outreach/Fundraising
If you have the skills and desire to help with fundraising, we need you! Fundraising is a necessity to keep the barn doors open and to help us build a future for our program. Fundraising isn't just about asking others for money, it's about showing how our program can help those with special needs and our community as a whole.
There are many opportunities in our community to set up at vendor events, canvas the community looking for sponsors, and spread the word about our programs. We need volunteers with a charismatic personalities to do just that!
Facility Maintenance
There's always mowing and weed eating, weed spraying, etc. to be done around the barn. The arena also needs to be dragged on a weekly basis as well. Tractor experience is preferred, but it actually isn't hard to learn how to drive either. If spending time in the outdoors and getting your hands dirty is your kind of fun, we're happy to have your help. It's a bonus if you can do things like fix fence as well - horses can be quite destructive.
Special Events
In the fall, we typically have a Farm Fall Festival (we had to skip in 2022 due to a variety of complications), but that event requires at least 50 volunteers to be successful. It's great for group volunteers too. Anybody of just about any age can help as well. There's no horse experience needed. We will also need volunteers for other smaller events like birthday parties.
Group Volunteer Efforts
If you have a group looking for volunteer tasks, we can find something for them to do! There's no shortage of work to be done for all experience levels.
What You Need to Bring/Wear
Outside of a "can do" attitude and a love for helping kids and horses, the only thing you need is to wear appropriate barn clothes. This includes jeans/breeches and closed-toe shoes. Boots are best. Gloves if you wish.
Equestrian volunteering Near Me
Potential volunteers interested in helping to benefit our programs and the community as a whole can apply to be volunteer here. We look forward to making new barn friends and having you join the team!