VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Therapeutic riding provides education, socialization, recreation and therapy to more than 72 students in Frederick County Maryland each spring and fall at no charge. The Program is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We always welcome volunteers who serve as barn crew, side walkers or horse leaders for 1 to 12 hours per week. Volunteers also work behind the scene. Without our wonderful volunteers our Program could not exist.

Barn Crew – Each class day begins an hour or more before students arrive at the farm. The Barn Crew brings in the horses from the fields, brush, and groom them. The Barn Crew makes sure that each horse is wearing the saddle or tack that is appropriate for each student.

Each student may require up to three volunteers – a Horse Leader and two Side Walkers, depending on the Student’s ability. During some classes with six highly disabled riders, up to 18 volunteers are needed in the ring.

Horse Leaders are responsible for the Student’s Horse, making sure the horse stays in control – stands quietly for mounting, dismounting, exercises, etc. The Horse Leader will make sure the horse is going in the correct direction and at the proper gait.

Side Walkers – Students may require one or two Side Walkers. The Side Walkers help riders maintain and learn balance. They are the eyes of the therapist and instructor. They help the student follow directions during the lesson and learn new tasks – left and right, colors, shapes and asking the horse to stop, walk on or trot.

Administrative Volunteers work behind the scenes. These include writing articles, handling public relations activities, printing labels, registering students, organizing classes, paying the bills, writing grant applications, fund raising projects, maintaining the web site, recruiting volunteers,

Would you like to volunteer? Click here.

Everyone is eligible, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, handicap or national origin. If you have thought of volunteering or returning to volunteering, now is the time to do it. WE NEED YOU!

Call Carol Bell, Volunteer Coordinator at 301-898-3587 *2

Or email our Volunteer Coordinator at: fc4htrp@aol.com.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US

FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO VOLUNTEER at the farm, listed below are several other opportunities for you to support the Frederick County 4H Therapeutic Riding Program. We hope you will look over the following list and consider supporting this valuable Program in whatever way you are able to contribute.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Sponsor The Care of a Horse One Year $1000
Sponsor a Student for a Seven Week Session $500
Sponsor a 2’x3′ Advertising Banner Along the Ring Fence for Two Years $150
Purchase Grooming and Horse Supplies for one Student $50
SPRING HORSE SHOW SUPPORT

Place a Full Page Advertisement in the Show Program $100
Place a Half Page Advertisement in the Show Program $50
Place a business Card Advertisement in the Show Program $25
Sponsor a Class $15
Purchase Horse Show Ribbons for the Entire Show $350

PARTICIPATE IN ONE OR MORE SPECIAL EVENTS

Annual Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction (see calendar) Oct. 31

DONATE AT YOUR WORK PLACE CAMPAIGNS

Maryland Charity Campaign Designation number is 0884.

National Capital Area CFC Designation Number 28785 for the Washington DC area only.

Central Maryland CFC or Western Maryland CFC, please look us up in the alphabetical listing catalog.

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE – Click the Car Icon to the left of your Screen, or call 1-877-999-8322.

You may call, email or write for more information, or simply click here to reach Networkforgood.org for a secure website to make that donation. (No fees or costs will be charged against your donation – every penny comes to us!)

Making a donation to our therapeutic riding program is a fitting tribute on a special birthday, a big graduation or as a memorial to a loved one that has passed away.

We will also work with donors to arrange for Charitable Remainder Trusts or other major gifts. Contact us for details.

Would you like to donate a horse, tack or other equipment? See our Wishlist