Junior Volunteer Lesson Program- Information

Student must be responsible, respectful, trustworthy, willing to work hard and physically capable to perform barn chores & tacking/caring for horses. If a student has difficulty following instructions and being safe, we have the right to postpone the program for this individual.

If you are a passionate horseperson who wants to learn more and wants to work hard to learn, you are a good candidate for our program.

Space is limited in this program, so interested students must be prepared to work hard, put their best effort forward, and perform above average. We are looking for very committed students.

Thank You

Lesson FAQ's

How lesson schedule works?

Sample Lesson Schedule -During the School Year

What is your Weather Policy?

M&M Ranch will notify by email if lessons must be canceled.

Bad Weather Policy: (For Adults) In inclement weather we might at times do groundwork, with the horses instead of riding. M&M Ranch will determine if we need to reschedule the lesson, if so, you will be contacted by email.

Bad Weather Policy: (for Youth):
In inclement weather, we will have a fun barn lesson in the covered area. May include ground teaching with horse or horse care. We do require students to still attend; there will be no make-up lessons for missing a barn lesson.

Most of the time riding still included.

Riding Skill Level

Our Ranch Director and Instructors work together to review progress made by each student to decide when a student is ready to advance to next level.

We work to keep students of similar ages and skill levels together, allowing them to build friendships and to help each other along the way, while also matching each rider with a horse that will help them grow in both skill and confidence.

Beginners are required to be enrolled in the Beginner Course.

What Student will need for Lessons

What type of boots, and where to get helmets?

What items need riding?

Lesson Riding Information

Some of what our lessons includes:

Student helps to prepare their horse for the riding lesson; including grooming and tacking-up the horse, taking care of their horse before & after the ride, therefore our lessons, time wise, might be a bit longer than the standard lesson program.

Lessons involve total horsemanship, not just riding.

Safely learn handling horses, safety ties, catch with halter (in stalls, pasture)
Grooming, tacking, proper care of tack
Caring for horse; including feeding, water, mucking stalls when needed
Riding, basic to advanced training, learning how to care for horse while riding
Learn how to work with the horse, cleaning hooves, stretching horses

Riding areas vary: Arenas, Pasture, trail ride, bare-back, round pen work etc.

Days offer intro lessons?

Enroll in lesson program.

Horse training available!

Can I bring my horse?

Groundwork Lesson for your horse.

Groundwork lesson may include:

Some examples that students will learn as they advance in their level during Groundwork Lesson:

Safely learn handling horses, safety ties, catch with halter (in stalls, pasture)
Use of training tools- how to use.
How to stay safe during groundwork.
How to connect & communicate better with your horse when training.
Movement Horse Positions: Disengage the hindquarter, backing up, moving shoulders, side passing,
Trailer training- if horse has problems, then hour session will be required
Desensitizing or Sensitizing
Varied Exercises – Sending between fence, over obstacles, Surcingle, etc.
Gaining horses respect of rider

Ask us for pricing for ground lessons.

Do you teach how to train horses? Or do clinics?

Junior Volunteer (JC) Program - FAQs

It is our goal to teach younger students about the importance of responsibility, in a simulation of a real-life work experience. For adults, it is a place to come and enjoy the company of other horse enthusiasts and feel like a kid again. We are western ranch, and our program focuses training, sorting and speed events.

JC Program-FAQs

How get started?

How get started?

Schedule Intro lesson.
Let us know what days you have available if need a different date to schedule your intro.
After the intro lesson look at lesson options.

JC program sample start: After intro lesson and enrolled for monthly lessons.

Plan for student stay 30-45 min after lessons.
Students will start learning:
- Caring for the horses, how to saddle or unsaddle.
Then look at increasing student’s time as student grows in their horsemanship skills.

What age can student start in the JC Program?

What are the Benefits?

What are the Benefits?

Improve in their horsemanship skills, learn & care for the horses!
Spend more time & bonding with the horses!
Our advance JC have the option volunteer more for additional practice ride or an additional discounted lesson. (At least 3 lessons/month)
Advance JC are invited to local horse event. (Sorting)
Our advance/qualified JC have opportunity to exercise/train horses as needed. Help with our lesson programs.
Grow in their skills with people, in responsibilities, could help them prepare for future jobs, boost their confidence.
On occasions we offer leasing one our horses. Lessons would be included and required.
Great Experience for their future work application!
Enjoy fresh air, being country, physically moving and making new friends.

What to bring?

Student Will Need for Riding:
□    Long pair jeans, Dress according to weather
□    Helmet ASTM/SEI certified (we do provide helmets)
□    Riding boots (Tractor Supply, Western Boot Store)
□    Refillable Water Container

Volunteer Recommend:
□    Long pair jeans at times
□    Hotter season- short., comfortable shirt
□    Boots for barn area, mud boots on occasion.

What JC do? What is the typical Scheule?

What do Junior Counselor's do?

Anything that needs to be done. Some examples:

Lessons/Care Horses: grooming/tacking horses for lessons; leading horses/help teach with lessons, feeding, bathing & caring for horses.

Barn chores: clean stalls/barn area, water buckets; loading & distributing hay; clean/repair tack, picking up/cleaning surrounding areas; and cleaning tack, helping to maintain pasture.

Specific duties will vary, depending on experience, age, and the needs of the barn during their shifts.

What are some of the Requirements?

Junior Counselor Requirements

Students who are committed to horses and the program. Be in lessons (3 Lessons/month).
Students must show up for their scheduled volunteer time to stay in the program.
Students must be at least 10 years of age.
Students Volunteer for at least 6 months before we will consider them for the program.
Students must be responsible, reliable, hardworking and independent workers.
Attend the JC training program in summer & have current JC Application on file.
Each JC requirements may vary pending on each student or needs.

Students will be required to help with summer program in June. Those who are more advance may have opportunity help with the camps in July.

What are some of the time Requirements?

Some of time Requirements

Students who are committed to horses and the program. Be in lessons (3 Lessons/month).
Students must show up for their scheduled volunteer time to stay in the program.
Students Volunteer for at least 6 months before we will consider them for the program.
Students are expected to volunteer up to 10-12 hours per month.
Attend the training program in the summer.

Students will be required to help with summer program in June. Those who are more advance may have opportunity help with the clinics in summer.

Sample Schedule -During the School Year

JC sample schedule help During School Year

Saturday mornings (2-3 hrs.)
Weekdays AM/PM (1 1/2-2 hrs.)
Times may vary depending on the needs, weather, etc.

Students further along in program: Help during the weekday.

Junior Volunteer in public school: Estimated arrival & finish times.
Weekday Evening Sample:

- 4:15 -4:45 p.m.
- 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Junior Volunteer in home school or with flexible school schedule.

Help during weekday morning or evening. Sample times:

- 1 1/2-3 hr a.m.
- 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Sample Schedule- Barn & Horse Care

Sample Summer Schedule

Summer Schedule: We will post summer program dates probably by March. This sample schedule of programs.

June (2 weeks) - T, W, F – June to help prep/horses – usually 1- 1 ½ hr. earlier.

Tuesdays: 8:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
Wednesday: 8:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

Lesson programs may vary slightly from school year.

Part of the summer (June & early July) weekday. July – overnights may be included.

Is JC Program Year- Round?

Expectations for Junior Volunteer Program

Junior volunteer student must be responsible, respectful, trustworthy, willing to work hard and physically capable to perform barn chores. If a student has difficulty following instructions and being safe, we have the right to postpone the program for this individual.
Junior Counselor must be capable of tacking & caring of the horses.
Space is very limited in this program, so interested students must be prepared to work hard, put their best effort forward, and perform above average.

Each person is different, with different abilities to pay, different amounts of available time, different strengths to contribute to the team, but everyone here shares a passion for horses and a desire to learn more about them and their care. If you are a passionate horseperson who wants to learn more and wants to work hard to learn, you are a good candidate for our program.

Space is limited in this program, so interested students must be prepared to work hard, put their best effort forward, and perform above average. We are looking for very committed students, so if you already have busy schedule and are unable to give up something to do this, this is probably not for you.