Equestrian Volunteer Opportunities

The National Ability Center’s equestrian programs include Adaptive Riding, Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. The programs are designed to include individuals of all ages and abilities utilizing adaptive equipment and volunteers to provide successful lessons. The equestrian program operates year-round, six days per week, in a heated 17,000 square foot indoor arena and barn, and outdoor amenities such as the outdoor arena, round pen, and the Round Valley trail system adjacent to our property.

Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT), help all people to realize benefits that reach far beyond their actual time with a horse. The horse helps to facilitate relationships between the participant and members of their team; including the instructors, interns, volunteers, other participants and themselves. These skills carry over into the individual’s home life and personal relationships. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to helping individuals grow and develop their independent potential.

The National Ability Center Equestrian Program is the only Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, Intl.) Premier Accredited center in the state of Utah. This designation signifies our commitment to maintaining the highest level of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies industry standards in our programming. Lessons are overseen and provided by trained and certified instructors with extensive experience in horsemanship, teaching and adaptive programming.

Volunteer Roles in the Equestrian Program

Sidewalker
A sidewalker’s responsibility is always the safety and the well-being of the rider. Sidewalking includes assisting the participant with grooming and tacking, helping the participant stay balanced on the horse, and reinforcing the directions given by the instructor. The engagement level and needs required of the sidewalker varies greatly between riders and provides an exciting and dynamic lesson. Sidewalker training is required in order to volunteer in this role

Prerequisites: Equestrian Sidewalker Training and Shadow Lesson
Requirements: 14+ years old, Waiver, Media Release, Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination, and Background Check for 18+

Leader
Leaders get hands on expierence with our equine staff members. The primary responsibility of the leader is the horse. Leaders are in charge of handling the horse before, during, and after the lesson. Leaders are responsible for doing a pre-lesson warm up with their assigned horse, helping the horse follow the cues from the rider during the lesson, or in some circumstances to follow the directions of the instructor, and controlling and calming the horse in an emergency. Leader training is required in order to volunteer in this role.

Prerequisites: Completion of Equestrian Sidewalker Training, Leader Training
Requirements: 14+ years old, Waiver, Media Release, Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination, and Background Check for 18+

Equine Assisted Learning Assistant
EAL Assistants work as a team with the facilitator, horses and EAL participants. Volunteers are responsible for helping pepare the arena and horses for each group, maintaining the safety of participants, and redirecting participant attention to the task at hand. Each EAL group session can look different. Some groups will focus on horsemanship skills, others will work on broader concepts. EAL Assistants must be comfortable working with horses at liberty (loose in the arena). EAL Assistants have been through both Sidewalker and Leader training. After demonstrating the necessary skills, volunteers may be invited to EAL Assistant Training.

Prerequisites: Completion of Equestrian Sidewalker and Leader Training, Invitation to EAL Assistant Training
Requirements: 16+ years old, Waiver, Media Release, Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination, and Background Check for 18+

Interested in volunteering with our Equestrian Program?