Volunteer Your Time
Our volunteers are vital to the success of our organization and to the fulfillment of our mission. NMCTR offers the most comprehensive and effective therapeutic riding program in Northern New Mexico. If you are interested in contributing your time and talents to our program, please join us! Anyone with a desire to make a real difference in the lives of those with special needs is most welcome. Also, if you love (or think you might love) horses, this is the place for you! Prior horse knowledge is not required, nor is familiarity with persons with special needs.
I want to volunteer! What’s next?
All those interested in volunteering at NMCTR must first fill out a Volunteer Application (available below). You will then be asked to attend an orientation at our facility. Orientation includes meeting the horses, learning to halter, groom, tack up, and lead. You will also be given information regarding the persons we serve and how best to assist them. Following orientation, as a new volunteer, you will be scheduled for days and lesson times that meet your needs and those of NMCTR. You will be assigned to shadow an experienced volunteer until you and the instructor decide that you are ready to volunteer independently. Ongoing volunteer training is provided as needed.
Separate orientations are given for individuals who are mainly interested in the care of our horses and ongoing maintenance of our facility.
All volunteers, new and “old” alike, are required to attend an annual orientation as well. This ensures an up-to-date understanding of proper procedures and the sharing of any new regulations and information. Volunteers also are required to fill out a new volunteer application on a yearly basis.
Volunteer duties/possibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Horse Care and Handling (such as grooming, feeding, exercising)
- Rider Assistance
- Barn Maintenance (such as cleaning stalls, tack, sweeping)
- Photography
- Fundraising Activities
- Assistance with Administrative Duties
