SHADOW Experience: CHRC - Barn Aide

**This opportunity is open for volunteers in training to be qualified Barn Aides at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. These volunteers have completed the virtual volunteer training and in the in-person Barn Aide training. Now, they will shadow qualified volunteers and Carriage Hill Riding Center staff to practice the skills needed to become a qualified Barn Aide volunteer. **

Barn Aide volunteers are critical to providing daily care for the horses and the equestrian facility in which these beloved animals live, work, and play. Daily tasks include cleaning stalls, turning horses out to pasture, and providing them with fresh food and water. You'll work alongside qualified volunteers at staff to learn how to do each of these tasks until you are able to check off begin completing these tasks more independently during scheduled Barn Aide shifts and are even able to help train others. 

All new Riding Center volunteers begin as Barn Aides but can complete additional training to support a variety of programming opportunities at the Carriage Hill Riding Center.

Impact

Volunteers complete essential operational tasks and hands-on daily care alongside qualified volunteers and staff during these scheduled shadow experiences to ensure the good health and well-being of our horses allowing the Riding Center facility to function on a daily basis.

Tasks

• Clean stalls and paddocks
• Clean and refill water buckets
• Feed hay and/or grain
• Turn horses in and out
• Assist staff with general cleaning
• Groom horses

Eligibility

• This opportunity is open to the following volunteers:  Youth, and Long-Term. Short-term who have completed the required prerequisite training and are able to make an ongoing commitment to service at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. (8 shifts per year, minimum). Learn more about our types of service here. 
• Note: Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived. 

Additional Notes

• Parking & Meeting instructions: Meet near the office inside the first barn or find a staff member.
  
• Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last-minute or are running late, please call the Riding Center office cell phone number at #937-689-6939.
  
• Environment & Physical Demands:
  
  • Volunteers should prepare to work in outdoor weather conditions, year-round.
  • In this work environment, volunteers will be exposed to cat and horse dander, dust, and other environmental allergens.

Visit the Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteer Training page in our Volunteer Training Library to see what training is required for this opportunity and get started today!  

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Animal Care Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.