Junior Volunteer & Lesson Program- Information
Lesson & Misc. FAQs
What Student will need for Lessons
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
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.
Intro lesson days offered.
- Weekday morning (typically Wed, on occasion Friday) - if need different day/time let us know
- Let us know the date(s) will work for you.
- Most of our Adult classes are done during weekday mornings. (Typically Wed morning)
Horse training available!
Yes! First time lesson, schedule semi-private with your horse.
Contact us for more information.
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.
Yes! We teach students from basic to advance groundwork training. If you have a horse and need help let us know.
Click here for more info.
Junior Volunteer (JC) Program - FAQs
JC Program-FAQs
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.
Students must be at least 10 years of age.
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.
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.
Ask us for availability in the program.
What JC do? What is the typical Scheule?
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.
Junior Counselor Requirements
- Students who are committed to horses and the program. Be in lessons (2-3 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.
- Students are expected to volunteer up to 8-10 hours per month.
- Attend the training program in summer.
- 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.
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.
Barn & Horse Help:
- During week early mornings & or evenings help horses
- Weekends on occasion.
Be available 1 or 2 weekdays (after school) to help barn chores. Students, who are available weekday can come early before school.
(Average time for horse & barn care 1 ½-2 hour)
*Schedules may vary pending on applicant*
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.
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.