Horses are a lot of work, so you can imagine why horse rescue and adoption groups welcome a helping hand. But it’s so much more than the actual labor—although preparing 200+ buckets of daily feed or hauling water through 3 feet of snow is not insignificant. It’s the commitment these volunteers make to helping horses, and the organizations doing this work, that is so meaningful.
“Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do all that we do today,” says Brittney Vallot, Operations Director at Days End Farm Horse Rescue (Days End Farm or DEFHR) in Woodbine, Md.
A Critical Contribution
Established in 1989, Days End Farm shelters an average of 130 equines a year in need of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming. Volunteers contribute an estimated 55,000 hours of time each year caring for the horses, as well as helping with administrative tasks, facility maintenance, and assisting with the community outreach and education that is part of the organization’s mission.
“Our volunteers enable us to provide hands-on interaction with each horse every single day, providing them with important care, handling and socialization that absolutely gives them a better shot at adoption,” says Vallot. “Not a day goes by that a horse goes untouched or unseen at our facility, and that’s all thanks to the help of our volunteers.”
In Methuen, Mass., the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Nevins Farm houses not only horses, but a barn full of creatures great and small. The multi-species facility relies on over 300 volunteers, with 49 of them being barn volunteers. A summer intern program brings in additional assistance in caring for the organization’s annual intake of just over 3,000 animals.
“I always say we could not do what we do without our volunteers, and I really mean that,” says Shyre Lancia, senior volunteer coordinator for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. “Our volunteers are essential with day-to-day operations, as well as with assistance during adoption events and some vet visits. From a financial perspective, they allow more funds to be used directly for the animals, but it’s more than that. It’s the range of people and skills that contributes to flexibility: the experienced volunteers guiding the new volunteers, the community that is built in pursuit of a common goal. I think the community that is built among our volunteers and staff is beautiful.”
Time and Talent
When it comes to equine adoption organization volunteers, there’s no such thing as typical. While volunteers come in all ages, skill sets, and experience levels, the one thing they have in common is that they want to help and make a difference, says Vallot.
“Everyone is unique and brings something to the table,” she says. “We take volunteers of all ages, some as young as 5 years old. We are also an entry-level organization, taking in absolute beginners with open arms and giving them the education and opportunity to grow as horse advocates. Our minimal requirements for being able to volunteer means that we get a wide variety of individuals from all walks of life who share one ‘typical’ trait: they want to help the horses.”
Kristin Showalter and her 12-year-old daughter, Ava Smith, were not equestrians when they began volunteering at Days End Farm. Today, they are known as the dynamic duo around DEFHR, where they have been regular volunteers for two years and now often lead the orientation for new volunteers.
“We love coming out to help in whatever ways we can, but our personal favorite aspects of volunteering include community education and outreach opportunities and, always, one-on-one horse time and hands-on horse care,” says Showalter.
For daughter Ava, Days End Farm has become a huge part of her life, bringing both horse and human friendships. She met one of her best friends while volunteering at the farm and loves being part of the “Equidopting” program that Days End Farm offers.
“I sponsor Rodgers Regent, my best horse friend at the farm, and I love the special time I get to spend with him every week,” she says. “I am so thankful that DEFHR was able to rehabilitate him and give him the life he has now! I also love the chance to learn from the trainers and staff at DEFHR, which has helped me learn everything I know about horse handling, care, and rescue.”
Dick Heiger is a longtime farm operations team volunteer at Days End Farm who has found his own way to contribute his time and talents to the organization.
“He is now in his 80s and continues to amaze us all with all that he does for us,” says Vallot. “He’s our trusty, weekly front lawn mower every spring through fall. He’s a master gardener and has planted one of the most beautiful gardens along our front driveway. He’s also painter-extraordinaire when the colder months make indoor tasks more appealing. He’s never been one to want to work in the barn, but his love of our mission and the horses is just as strong as any other volunteer.”
Finding the Why
Lancia sees a fair number of people who had some horse or farm experience in their youth circling back to reconnect when they find themselves with time to volunteer. Others volunteer to gain experience, whether they want to prepare for future animal ownership, or are looking to acquire skills and knowledge that will be helpful in applying to veterinary school.
“Farm animal interaction is something of a novelty around here,” says Lancia of their location, some 30 miles from downtown Boston. “Riding lessons are quite expensive in this part of the country, so unless someone had a family farming connection or the financial means, they may never have had the opportunity to interact with a horse.”
For MSPCA volunteer Kristen Oleson, watching people connect with these animals for the first time is what stands out the most.
“I grew up around horses in a family who knew their way around a farm,” she says. “The MSPCA is in a far more urban area than you will find most horse stables. In my time volunteering, I have seen countless children, and more than a few adults, experience their first interaction with a horse or goat, chicken, emu—the list goes on. I was too young to remember the first time I touched a horse or had one blow in my face. Having had the opportunity to share that with so many people has been an absolute pleasure.”
The opportunity to volunteer is a two-way street, says Showalter.
“We love volunteering, and we choose to come out each weekend—sometimes a weekday here and there, too—to help with the variety of jobs needed for the horses in Days End’s care,” she says. “But also important is the fact that the experience of caring for horses is therapeutic for us, as well as for them. Learning each of our horses’ individual stories and backgrounds provides a window into who they are and what challenges they may be working through in their equine rehabilitation process. Being a small part of that process, helping them to regain their health, confidence, and trust in humans, is a very powerful thing to be a part of.”
Getting Started with Volunteering
There are hundreds of equine rehoming, shelter, and rescue organizations across the country, many of which rely daily on volunteer assistance to get essential jobs done. Here are some tips for anyone wanting to volunteer with an equine rescue group to get started.
1. Research Nearby Organizations
A good first step for those interested in volunteering is to identify what facilities are within a convenient distance and visit their website for volunteer information, says Lancia.
“The priority is to meet the need of that rescue, but of course it should be in a way that is achievable for the person,” she says.
2. Understand the Volunteer Requirements
Most facilities have information on their websites that will make it clear what they need help with, including any requirements applicants should meet, and Lancia encourages people to pay attention to the required skills and experience, if any are listed.
“Trust that the organization is looking for specific skills or experience for good reason,” says Lancia. “For barns especially, some of the tasks are very physically demanding, and you’ll be outdoors no matter the weather. This is obvious to equestrians, but I get a fair number of applications from new-to-barn people who don’t realize they’ll be outside in the snow!”
3. Get to Know the Organization
Most will have some sort of orientation, which is a great way to get to know their organization a bit more and decide if you want to commit, says Vallot.
Lancia also advises making sure the role is a good fit and being honest with yourself about that.
“There’s so many ways people can volunteer, and different facilities may have different roles available—don’t be discouraged if the first one you look at isn’t a good match,” she says. “Keeping an eye on the websites over time may result in something opening up that wasn’t there when you originally looked, too.”
4. Get Involved
Once you get started at a place, Vallot encourages getting involved.
“The more you do, the more you seek out ways to participate, the more you will learn and grow as a horse person.”
Lancia advises thinking outside the box and being open to helping organizations in different ways.
“We get a lot of applications for dog and barn volunteers, but very needed and helpful positions such as those handling phones and email are often bypassed,” she says.
Don’t assume you have nothing to offer, adds Vallot. Many times, obstacles can be overcome.
“Have limited time or lack of transportation? Ask the organization if there’s a way you could help them remotely. Have a physical limitation that keeps you from working in the barn? Maybe you can help them in the office or man a booth at an event. There’s always a way you can get involved and help.”
To find an organization in your area to support, please visit myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines.
Further Reading
◆ Getting Started with Volunteering at Horse Rescues
◆ The State of Equine Nonprofits
◆ Ways to Volunteer in the Equestrian World
