There are a multitude of horse organisations around the world today. Although many are going strong, it's doubtful there’d be many that would knock back an extra pair of helping hands. Volunteers are often an integral part of organisations – horse ones included.
Gaining Experience Through Volunteer Work
Some people find it hard to get a foot in the stable door of the horse industry. This is often due to their lack of experience or contacts. For these, a horse course is a particularly good way to acquire more experience, a piece of paper and much needed contacts and potential places to work.
Another avenue that will in some way or another, benefit all who partake of it, is volunteer work. Helping out at an equine organisation provides the horse enthusiast with the opportunity to gain experience while at the same time enabling someone else to benefit from hands on time with horses.
Whether it be for an association, event, organisation or horse related ministry, volunteer work:
- Is great for the soul
- Is good for the resume
- Is wonderful for creating relationships with like minded people
- Provides an opportunity to get outside and meet other horse crazy people
One such organisation that thrives with the help of volunteers in Australia, is Riding for the Disabled. Set up to work with people who have a physical and/or mental disability, RDA utilises horse riding to strengthen coordination, bones and muscles as well as build relationships. There is debate as to who benefits more from such an organisation – the clients or the volunteers.
Volunteering at Horse Events
Horse events are another wonderful way to gain further experience and contacts in a particular field. Equitana is a major horse event held in Australia on a biannual basis. Providing over 300 stalls and speakers relating to education, competition and entertainment, it is the horse lover’s dream. What could be better than four days of access to horse tack, clothing items, books and videos as well as the people who wrote or made those particular items?
The four days are assisted in running smoothly by 200 or so volunteers. Able to volunteer in areas focused on competition, education, exhibition, office admin, evening programs, the stables or the transfer team; there’s an area for every equine enthusiast. There’s also the opportunity to attend one of the night programs for free.
Volunteering at renowned events in one’s own state or country is a great way to build up contacts and experience. It can be especially beneficial to those planning on running their own property or horse related events in the future. Never underestimate the value of volunteering. It affects and benefits so many.
Chris Thomas - C. Thomas has studied and worked with horses since 2001. She teaches horse studies part time and is undertaking an Equine Science ...
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