The Helpers Program is a great way for you to earn free riding time and lessons! You can do this by helping out at the farm.
What types of things can you do to help out at the farm?
- How does it work?
- Who can apply?
- Is there always supervision?
- Can I choose what tasks to do?
- What is required?
- How can I sign up?
- Click here to sign up for daily chores (if you are already a trained helper)
What types of things can you do to help out at the farm?
- feed the horses their daily grain
- fill the water troughs
- put hay out for the horses
- hold horses for the vet or farrier
- help with training by getting horses tacked up and ready for Lindsey, or helping Lindsey by riding a 'company' horse out on a trail ride, in the arena, or leading Lindsey around on a new horse
- cleaning up the barn (mucking stalls after feeding, sweeping)
- helping with other various farm chores like painting, mucking paddocks, grooming horses, etc
- exercise horses
How does it work?
- contact us to apply to be in the program
- we teach you how to do the various farm chores safely
- you let us know your availability and how often you want to help out
- we work out a schedule which could be week by week, day by day, or whatever works for you
- you log your helping hours in our log book
- 2 hrs of help is one practice session, 3 hrs of help is one group lesson or trail ride, and 5 hrs of help is one private lesson
- you can also use your hours to participate in clinics, workshops, or summer camp; just ask us if you want to do this and we can work out the hours needed to participate in the special event
- lessons and practice sessions are logged in the log book to keep track of when you have used your helper hours
- Lessons are scheduled as you earn the hours and want to use them, you can save your hours or 'spend' them right away
- Practice sessions also need to be scheduled. Practice sessions are when you practice what you do in your lessons on your own; this option is only available to helpers that can safely prepare a horse on their own and have enough knowledge and experience to be able to do a practice session safely.
- when helpers earn their hours, they need a minimum of 1 hr, but otherwise can choose how long to help for
Who can apply?
- anyone with an interest in horses can apply as long as you are 12 years old or older, and are physically and mentally able to work with horses.
- even if you are a first time beginner, we will teach you what you need to know
Is there always supervision?
- To start with helpers will be instructed and supervised for all tasks
- Once helpers are able to do tasks safely (like feeding the horses), helpers can try these tasks on their own, but while someone is still at the farm to help if needed
- After a helper has managed to do tasks around the farm safely and without needing help (like feeding the horses and filling the water troughs) then helpers can choose to come at a time during the day that works best for them and do the tasks by them self at the farm (as long as it is scheduled so we know who is doing what).
Can I choose what tasks to do?
- The most common task we need help with is feeding the horses. Sometimes there will be a list of tasks to do - so helpers can decide amongst themselves who will do what. We are careful to offer tasks that are within your capabilities.
- Helpers can always say no to a task if they don't want to do something for any reason, however, we cannot guarantee that we can offer an alternative task so you can still earn hours.
What is required?
- a liability waiver, participant code of conduct and a helper's agreement will need to be read, understood, and signed
Complete the Helpers Agreement
Complete the waiver (for 19 and older click here or for 18 and younger click here)
Complete the Participant Code of Conduct
Start a Tracking Sheet once approved for the program
How Can I Sign Up?
If you are interested, please contact us
Complete the Helpers Agreement
Complete the waiver (for 19 and older click here or for 18 and younger click here)
Complete the Participant Code of Conduct
Start a Tracking Sheet once approved for the program
