Welcome to

About Courage Reins Courage Reins was founded in 1998 “to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, by providing a safe, fun and challenging environment where physical, mental, social, and emotional growth could occur through therapeutic riding and other equine based activities.”

A Few Important Points The Log-In computer: This is located in the front office. Each time you come to volunteer, log in and out of this computer using your first and last name with no capitals and a space in between; for example “susie brown” This will keep track of the hours you volunteer. There is also a sign-in sheet next to the computer, please sign in and out of this as well, in case of computer failure. The DSO: DSO stands for “daily standing order.” It is located under the white board in the breezeway. The DSO outlines any special care each horse is to receive, such as supplements or first aid. It also shows the feeding schedule and amounts. The Lesson Schedule & Stall Chart: These are located on the whiteboard in the breezeway next to the tack room door. The lesson chart will show which horses and tack will be needed for each lesson as well as how many volunteers will be needed. The stall chart will show which horses, if any, are in which stalls. Job Chart: This is located in the breezeway. If you need a job to do, please check the job chart. Complete the jobs for the day you are working first and then work on the jobs that were missed earlier in the week . Make sure you initial the job after you have completed it. Add pictures

What to Expect as a Volunteer General Duties Certification Program Basic Barn Rules Benefits of Volunteering

General Duties General Duties Help with Lessons Barn Chores Horse Care The most important thing you will do as a volunteer is aid with lessons. This can include making sure the horses are ready for their lessons, helping the students groom and tack and assisting the student as a lead walker or side walker while they ride. Barn Chores Barn chores are ongoing duties that need to be done regularly to maintain a stable. These include sweeping, scrubbing water buckets, cleaning paddocks, feeding supplements, etc. Horse Care Each of our horses have individual needs that the Barn Manager oversees. As a volunteer, part of your duties may include assisting with these needs. This may include feeding, grooming, first aid etc. General Duties

Certification Program The certification program is a comprehensive training designed to teach volunteers what they need to know about working with horses. There are several basic certifications: Orientation/Basic Safety, Catch & Release, Groom and Tack, Side-Walk, and Lead-Walk. Catch/Release, Groom/tack, Sidewalk and Leadwalk all require hands-on training before certification is complete. To begin, simply complete the online training and quizzes and then schedule a time with the Volunteer Coordinator to come in and receive hands-on instruction and practice time to acquire competency with the skills needed. **For your safety, we ask volunteers to not perform certain volunteer duties until after they are certified. (For example you can not lead a horse until you have been certified to do so.)

Basic Barn Rules Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Hardworking, Be Dependable No one is allowed on the Center property when we are closed without specific permission from the Executive Director. Stay Alert. Awareness of your surroundings will help prevent injuries to yourself and others. No abrupt movements, running, or yelling. Loud noises and sudden movement may frighten some of our students and horses. Access to the stalls and pastures is limited to volunteers certified in Catch & Release or persons accompanied by a staff member or volunteer shift lead. Treat all of our equipment with care. Much of our equipment is donated. Help us show our appreciation to the donors by helping maintain our gear so that it may be useful for as long as possible.

Basic Barn Rules Stay behind the yellow line while in the barn unless you are working with a horse Never stand directly behind or in front of a horse Please answer the phone only when authorized by staff. Except in cases of emergency, volunteers are only permitted brief phone calls to arrange rides. Only do things for which you are comfortable. If you are asked by a staff member or a shift lead to do something you feel uncomfortable doing, tell them. Either a more experienced volunteer will be assigned to help you or you will be assigned a different task. Stay busy. While volunteering you are expected to stay busy, if you finish a job, check the job chart for another job. Follow through! If you are asked to do a job, we expect the job to be completely finished. If you can’t finish it, please let the shift lead or barn manager know you could not complete the task. Put all tools/supplies away when finished. Help us keep a clean and safe work environment.

Benefits of Volunteering The greatest reward we can offer volunteers comes when they see the difference they make in the life of another human being. Right from the beginning, volunteers can participate in the certification program and begin to learn about how to work with horses and riders. At 20 hours volunteers are given a volunteer T-shirt. As the volunteer shows dedication and cooperation, they can be invited to participate in further learning of the Natural Horsemanship Principles through clinics and trainings. Science has proven that giving service benefits the human body!

Appropriate Relationships It is important to establish appropriate relationships that help further our mission. Volunteer Student Staff

Respectful, Kind, & Patient Volunteer to Student As a volunteer, you will have the privilege of working with some of our special needs students. While assisting students with their lessons, remember to be: Respectful, Kind, & Patient It is also important to have a professional attitude towards all of our clients.

Volunteer to Staff The # 1 priority of our staff is safety! Horses are unpredictable animals that are potentially dangerous. It is very important that you show respect to staff by listening and following directions promptly. *** Please note that for your safety all volunteers who cannot follow staff directions respectfully will be asked to leave the situation until all issues can be resolved. If you have a difference of opinion, please visit with the staff after the class.

Volunteer to Volunteer For many of our volunteers, one of the best things about volunteering is the friendships made with other volunteers. At Courage Reins, we are happy to see this and try to provide a safe and fun atmosphere. Please keep in mind, however, that volunteers must always remember to maintain professional and respectful relationships. We want ALL volunteers to feel comfortable here.

Please complete this short quiz and bring it with you to the barn! Thank you for volunteering your time and energy. Courage Reins could not run without volunteers like you! THANK YOU!