This Shadow Experience opportunity is for those volunteers in training to serve as a Pony Ride Assistant. You will be partnered with a qualified and experienced Staff Lead during this shadow experience to observe, learn, and practice the required skills.
Volunteering as a Pony Ride Assistant is a fun and interactive way to help at the Riding Center if you enjoy being around young children (age 2 - 8) and families. For many of our riders, a Pony Ride is their first interaction with an equine, and their experience with us creates a lasting memory. Volunteers hand-lead ponies while the children ride, or act as a spotter, walking alongside the pony during the ride.
The Pony Ride Assistant opportunity is only open to those current Carriage Hill Riding Center volunteers who have completed 20 hours of service as a Barn Aide. For more information on how to get started as a Barn Aide, please visit our Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteer Training page.
Impact
Volunteers help ensure a safe experience and provide personal attention to each rider and their family. This support allows us to offer a direct connection to large animals and nature through programming.
Tasks
Under the supervision of staff, you will learn and practice these tasks and skills:
-
Groom (ponies)
- Tack (ponies)
- Assist rider with helmet
- Re-check saddle before mounting rider
- Assist rider onto pony (may involve lifting)
- One person leads the pony; second person watches the child to ensure a centered position (this can be a customer)
- Escort the child to and from the pony
- Keep ponies watered and un-tacked during downtime
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual Long-Term, Short-Term and Youth Volunteers ages 14 and up who have qualified as Barn Aides and have completed the Pony Ride Assistant Volunteer Training.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature), and for those 18 and up an eligible background check), plus Barn Aide and Pony Ride Assistant Volunteer training. Simply click the blue RESPOND completing the required qualifications or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
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.
- Dress: Please wear long pants, and sturdy closed toe shoes (no steel toe boots). Please wear your volunteer name badge and volunteer apparel while volunteering.
- 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.
- Volunteers can expect to assist with lifting children onto the ponies, lifting anywhere from 35-50 pounds. Anticipate long periods of walking, standing and lifting.
- If you would like to request a service accommodation in order to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity.
See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.
