Volunteer Archives : Page 2 of 6 : Equus Education

Equine Non Profits Network

June 30, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I was interested to recently discover an equine non profits website. This network focuses specifically on equine non profits that are located in the North Carolina region. As it says on their website,

‘the mission of this project is to promote and support communication and collaboration among North Carolina’s horse related nonprofit organizations.’

Equine Non Profits can be a Great way to Give Back and Learn new Skills

I was amazed to learn through this website, that there are over 100 horse related nonprofit organisations within the North Carolina area – wow! The website has been created to be an interaction point for all of these organisations. It’s a place they can go online to gain information and help in relation to horse focused non profits. The site has been set up by Equine Career Network founder, Kelsey Sullivan and is run in conjunction with the North Carolina Horse Council.

The website provides details on the various organisations within the North Carolina counties. The 100+ organisations cover the areas of therapeutic riding, equine assisted, therapy, rescue, racehorse rehoming and preservation.

Equine Non Profits in North Carolina

I am blown away by the number of organisations set up in the NC area. For someone who wants to learn about setting up and running a non profit that relates to horses, volunteering at any number of facilities like these would be of benefit! As you can see, you can focus your interests to a particular area, such as therapeutic riding. Or, maybe you’d rather focus your energies where you see there is still a great need. Non profits are a great way to offer your time and energy through volunteering. They can also provide you with much information and skills as you make yourself available to them.

If you want to set up such an organisation in the NC area, then keep this website address handy. It not only provides contact details of over 100 setups in the North Carolina area, it also provides details on grants and emergency resources, as well as agriculture extension office details.

I love to learn about resources like this! If there isn’t one for your local area, then maybe you could start to collate similar information for it? This website came about from a Masters Thesis project – cool!

Poudre Wilderness Volunteers

December 28, 2016 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I am learning about so many different pony related tasks in Jenifer Morrissey’s book, the Partnered Pony! The most recent reference that I just had to look up was to the Poudre Wilderness Horse Patrol. A search online lead me to the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers website.

Poudre Wilderness Volunteers - Would you mix your Love of Trail Riding with Volunteer Work? — Poudre Wilderness Volunteers – Would you mix your Love of Trail Riding with Volunteer Work?

If you’re trying to build up your resume – why not consider a volunteer position that affords you the chance to do something with horses, too?

This particular opportunity is for those who can get to an area in the Northern Colorado Wilderness. If you’re a fan of hiking (or horse riding!) the trails, then it is possible to become a Poudre Wilderness Volunteer. Potential members are recruited throughout the year, with the application process closing at the end of March. Mandatory training for new members is carried out in May. Many members actively patrol the trails, but volunteers are also sought in the areas of fundraising, committee work, website development and maintenance, and office support.

Poudre Wilderness Volunteers

Of course, if you want to be able to do something that relates to the trail and horses, then patrolling of trails would be the way to go. Poudre Wilderness Volunteers range from 18 – 80, according to the PWV website. They boast a broad spectrum of professions, knowledge and skills. It states on their site:

“What we have in common is our love for the wilderness and a dedication to learning and teaching Leave-No-Trace principles. We make a commitment to “hike and ride with a purpose” at least six days during the summer months. We wear a uniform shirt and name badge and serve by assisting and educating the public and protecting and conserving the resource. Other tasks that we perform while hiking: keep records and report observations and violations to the USFS; report sign and other trail-safety issues; deal with illegal/improper campsites, fire rings, and trash; report downed trees blocking trails (if can’t remove by ourselves) and noxious weed infestations; perform minor trail maintenance; and make new friends, get some exercise, and visit beautiful places.”

Alongside the positions being volunteer-based, those participating also cover the cost of their own travel, supply their own equipment and horses. There are those volunteers who go out for a day at a time, whilst others do extended stock packing patrols in the high country. If this type of volunteer work appeals to you, check out their website!

Save

Profile On: Denise, Iron Gait Percherons

June 2, 2016 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Denise Polydor-Beach is the founder of Iron Gait Percherons Draft Horse Rescue and Sanctuary. She kindly took the time to answer some questions about her horse endeavours and this non profit horse organisation. Perhaps if you’re in the area, Iron Gait Percherons would be of interest for volunteer work?

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
24 hours / 7 days a week – 365 days a year. My husband and I are supervising the horses and on call for any emergency.

What is it exactly that you do?
Rescue, rehabilitation, re-home and provide sanctuary to 50 horses. Specializing in draft horse breeds and medically challenged horses.

Iron Gait Percherons

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
No. In just 2014 we personally provided $157,000 of our personal out of pocket funds towards the care of the rescue horses. In 2015 we have donated even more than that due to lack of donations and sponsors.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Volunteers need to go through an orientation and fill out an application. We then place them in job roles according to their experience.

Favourite horse memory?
Watching near death emaciated and neglected horses regain their health, spirit and vitality return and watching them canter and be a horse again in pasture.

Future goals?
To continually upgrade the farm to provide the most comfortable environment for all of the Sanctuary. To find financial help to purchase or lease more land surrounding our farm to expand and help as many horses as possible.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
Knowing that we have helped save over 200 needing horses lives in just 5 years of Iron Gait’s existence.

“Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:4

Sports Chaplaincy Australia

January 23, 2016 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

There are a lot of professional sports people around the world, some of whom work in horse industries – racing, eventing and even rodeo work. Many sports areas make use of chaplains as:

A chaplain is a trusted, authentic, caring person. They are trained in sports pastoral care to assist sports communities provide genuine care for their members.

Sports chaplains are known in Australia to be used in local Pony Clubs. Chaplains’ roles include:

Club-wide pastoral care
Mentoring
Pastoral and spiritual care and support
Suicide awareness
Stress management support
Crisis management & recovery services
Home and hospital visitations
Grief, loss & bereavement care
Family care & support
Marriage & relationship preparation and care
Life skills support
Debriefing delivery
Referral support

Often these roles are volunteer, rather than paid. If you have a Christian faith and are keen to reach out to the working horse world in your area, perhaps you’d consider the idea of volunteering for such a role.

For those interested, you may like to look into Sports Chaplaincy Australia and Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy.

“The way to heaven is on horseback.” – Author Unknown

Horse Welfare at the Brooke

November 16, 2015 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Whilst reading Whispering Back, I was pleased to find reference to the Brooke, an equine organisation that focuses on:

We are an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in some of the world’s poorest communities. We provide treatment, training and programmes around animal health and wellbeing, operating across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

If your passion is for horse welfare, particularly in third world countries, I encourage you to check out this organisation and the incredible work they do. Perhaps you could even pursue the possibility of working with them or partnering financially?

Perhaps you may like to consider their varying volunteer opportunities.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – JRR Tolkein

Equine Non Profits Network

Equine Non Profits in North Carolina

Poudre Wilderness Volunteers

Poudre Wilderness Volunteers

Profile On: Denise, Iron Gait Percherons

Sports Chaplaincy Australia

Horse Welfare at the Brooke

Equus Education Store at TeachersPayTeachers

About Equus Education

Want to be kept in the loop about future posts?

Privacy Policy for EE