Accommodating Ramadan 2026
We want to share some details for families who may be observing Ramadan this spring, and to let you know that we are very happy to support you in whatever way works best for your family.
Several families have asked about skipping the 8-week block Spring 1 because of Ramadan. When we looked closely at the calendar, we realized the overlap may be a little different than it first appears, so we wanted to share the timing and some flexible options.
How Ramadan lines up with our schedule
☪️ Ramadan 2026: approximately February 27 – March 28
🌷 Spring 1: January 17 – March 13
🌴 Spring Break: March 14 – March 23
🌸 Spring 2: March 24 – May 19
Because Ramadan begins near the end of Spring 1, and Spring Break falls right in the middle of Ramadan, most students would miss only about three lessons total:
Two lessons at the end of Spring 1
One lesson at the beginning of Spring 2
(See the calendar image below for a visual reference.)
Flexible options we’d like to offer
Instead of skipping an entire 8-week session, we’re happy to offer:
Spring 1 billed for 6 of 8 weeks
Spring 2 billed for 7 of 8 weeks
We also understand that fasting can affect energy and schedules. If a different day or time would feel more supportive during Ramadan, we’re very open to exploring adjustments where possible.
A note about lesson time slots
We also want to be transparent about scheduling.
Because lessons are built in full 8-week blocks and we maintain a waitlist, skipping an entire session usually means that lesson time is offered to another student. Once a spot is filled, we can’t always guarantee the same day and time will be available in the next session.
This is why we wanted to share these options—adjusting tuition for the few lessons affected by Ramadan often allows us to hold your student’s spot, reduce disruption, and keep progress moving in a supportive way.
Our goal
Our goal is to honor your family’s observance, support your student’s well-being, and keep Cheyne Ranch welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Please reach out anytime—we’re always happy to talk through what works best for your family.
December Update
This is our LAST WEEK of 2025!! Unless you count our WINTER BREAK CAMP!! which will be so much fun.
📅 Here is a calendar you can look at how our 8-week blocks line up over the year: chra.us/p
🍂 Last Day of Fall 2 classes: Saturday, December 20th
🔄 Make-ups offered: Monday, December 22nd (AM & PM)
❄️ Winter Break Camp: Mon / Tues / Wed, Dec 29, 30, 31 · 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
🌷 First day of Spring 1 2026: THURSDAY! January 15th
Everyday there are so many stories to share. It’s hard to even know where to begin…
FIRST thing to share…
A Workshop for Parents
Please come to a mom’s retreat on Saturday, January 10th. Our own Julie Gerhard pours her heart and talents into bringing this together for us. It is both recharging and informative.
After hosting a previous gathering that parents described as a true respite filled with support and friendship, Julie invited her mentor, Wendy Soderman, back to Orlando (Altamonte Springs) to share more of her work.
This full-day retreat is, in part, sponsored by local providers who believe in supporting parents in meaningful ways. Wendy Soderman, mindfulness teacher, along with special guest Tara Spears of Togetherness Counseling, will guide the day with practical tools for creating a more mindful home and life. There will be time for reflection, connection, rest, and shared meals prepared and served with care.
January 10, 2026
Center Street Retreat, Altamonte Springs
Sponsored spaces are available.
>> Online Registration <<
I’ll be there - I hope to see you too!
WINTER BREAK CAMP!!
These are always so fun!! This will sell out!! I hope it is cold enough to have a campfire!
Our friend Lauren Oakwood, Equine Dentist visited us!
We love our crew of professionals that help us keep the horses feeling their best! I especially loved that our ahhhmazing college graduate helpers Abby and Gaby were able to have some hands-on time helping Lauren and see everything so up close.
RV Updates
The RV is quickly becoming a fun and functional little (big) hub for Cheyne Ranch. It is a play space with all of our Schleich horses, a spot for crafts and supplies, and a cozy place to meet and talk. A pretty fabulous kitchen. I also have big dreams for an epic coffee & tea bar so there is always a cold / warm / caffeinated drink option for parents and helpers.
Coming Soon: The RV Deck
One of our next big projects is adding a deck to the front of the RV. A deck will make the space more accessible for students and families (those current stairs are scary!), give us room to gather outside, and create a more welcoming entrance to this little hub. It is a meaningful addition, and we would love your help making it happen.
And yes, we also have a guest bathroom in the works. :) We are using the pool bathroom for now.
How You Can Help
We have put together a 🫶 Donation Page + an 🛒 Amazon Registry with items that would make a big difference for the RV space. You may notice a lot of snacks on the list. Did you know a super surprising expense at Cheyne Ranch is FOOD? For Humans? Between our students and more than 15 volunteers coming through each week, many of them hungry teenagers, we go through snacks quickly. Keeping them fueled is part of how we take care of the people who take care of our horses.
🫶 Donate to our RV Deck Masterpiece!
Thank you for being part of this journey with us and helping make Cheyne Ranch a place that feels welcoming, accessible and offers purpose and confidence to so many in our community.
👀 Sneak Peek at 2026!
We've got some exciting things in the works for the new year:
✨ TREASURES returns! This beloved program is coming back with a new partnership with Speech Blossom Wellness!
🎬 Movie night! We're planning a group outing to see Rescued Hearts Film—more details coming soon.
🌙 More Kids' Night Out dates! We love Kids’ Night Out, so we're adding more to the calendar.
📋 Revised skill levels: We've been refining our ground and riding levels to give students clearer goals and milestones to follow.
Stay tuned!
🧡 Year-End Giving: Make Your Gift Count!
As always, a reminder that we exist to serve the community! We are a nonprofit, and that literally means… NO PROFIT (ha!). Every dollar goes right back into our programs.
Sally, Anna, Katie, Erin, DJ, Abby, Gaby, and Michael—we LOVE this work! It is a privilege to be outside, with the animals and our incredible students, witnessing all the beautiful improvements that happen here every single day.
Before December 31st, consider making a tax-deductible gift to Cheyne Ranch. Your year-end donation makes a real difference, here's what your support makes possible:
🐴 Care for 60+ animals - all donated to us by community members who believe in what we do
📚 Subsidized lessons for 75+ students each week (with a waiting list!)
💼 Part-time meaningful work for 10 team members
🌟 Purpose, confidence, and skill-building for 25+ volunteers
🫶 DONATE
Thank you for helping us finish the year strong and start 2026 ready to serve even more families!
November Update
🍁 Happy November!
First of all - I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY!!
There are seventy eleven stories I want to share that happen each week here - I don’t ever write them down though. But they are these beautiful, joyful moments - and FIFTY TIMES a week I think to myself, there is no place in the world I would rather be. I am so so lucky - thank you.
Yay! It is finally cooler weather. You will probably see the horse blankets out on the fence - our horses get blankets overnight when the temperature is in the 40’s and lower. Which already happened for 2 nights!! And now isn’t supposed to happen for a while…
Our doggies sure are happy with this cooler weather.
🍂 Quick Updates
We are now halfway through Fall 2 — we just wrapped Week 4 of our 8-week session!
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
There are no classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday, Nov 24 – Sunday, Nov 30).
❄️ December & Winter Break
We return in December for three more weeks to finish Fall 2, and then take a 3+ week break for the holidays.
🌱 Spring 1 (January 2026)
Our next 8-week session — Spring 1 2026 — begins on Friday, Jan 17
All reserved PALS, and horseback riding lesson times as well as Nature Club automatically continue for current students.
If you need to make any changes for Spring 1 2026, please let me know as soon as possible.
🐴 Spots & Waitlist
We currently have a waiting list for Riding Lessons and PALS.
If your student will not be continuing in January, please let me know ASAP so we can offer the spot to the next waiting student.
🌟 Something BIG is coming to Cheyne Ranch in November!
Cheyne Ranch is losing our “guest house” space… for a very good reason.
Grandpa Harlan (Sally’s dad) is officially becoming a Florida Snowbird! He is moving into the guest house this winter, finally living his Florida / Kansas dream — and we are so so excited to have him here.
To make sure our students don’t lose access to an important support area, we’re bringing in a large, new-to-us RV that will serve as a new space for all the things - a lounge & meeting area / coffee area / kitchen area for parties / bathroom and most important - a playroom for our PLASTIC HORSES!! (Our huge Schleich collection that was donated a few years ago can finally see its glory all set up!)
We’ll need some help getting it ready, but it’s going to be such an important space for our programs. Here is an Amazon registry started for this: Let’s get the RV ready!
And soon-ish…
We also plan to build a deck, which will double as a parent viewing area for riding lessons.
Bonfire.com - MERCH!!
Once a year we partner with Bonfire (an online retailer who works with nonprofits) to offer some MERCH!! This year we have Christmas / Winter themed hooded sweatshirts, crewnecks and t-shirts! Each item is available in several different colors and sizes.
You can get our regular logo also. Please check it out: https://www.bonfire.com/store/cheyneranch/
Cheyne Ranch receives $4 - $5 for each item purchased. Brace yourself - Bonfire is expensive (I really like their clothing quality though - and it gets prepared and shipped directly to you).
Online store available Nov 15, 2025 - Dec 6, 2025
—-> If you want a regular white or black Cheyne Ranch t-shirt - I have those in stock, so reach out to see if I have your size ($20).
—-> The fun, seasonal, bougie sweatshirts and t-shirts are available at Bonfire.com for a limited time.
Upcoming Events
There is always so much to do in November and December! Here are a couple of our planned events:
Friday, November 21st - Cheyne Ranch will be at the Makers Market 2025 presented by our friends at the Abilities Workshop. It is our 3rd year and it is so beautiful with all the Christmas lights! It is FREE to walk around!! Come see us!!
Monday, November 24th - Sunday, November 30th - CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
Week of December 29th - 3 day WINTER BREAK CAMP!! More details soon…
October Fun
October was SO MUCH FUN! Did you know our homeschool Friday Nature Club has 24 students and 6 incredible adult teachers working? You should have seen the fun those incredible teachers came up with! Oh! look, you can, watch this video when you have a moment:
🔩🚿 Also, I had this idea to replace both handwashing stations… and add a 3rd one - because people really like washing hands. I had the students help (ha!) I think I only took 4 trips to the hardware store but ONLY because I ordered half the parts online (which otherwise would have added another several trips).
Who knew plumbing was so much fun? It feels like playing with Tinker Toys - only they are copper and PVC pipes - and they are from Ace Hardware and Home Depot.
🌟 Giving Tuesday Sneak Peek!
Giving Tuesday is coming up — December 2nd — and I’ll be sharing more soon. There are always so many meaningful ways to support us.
Here’s a little preview of what we’re working on:
🐶 Sadie Needs Surgery
Our sweet black puppy, Sadie, needs a $5,000 surgery at the University of Florida. She has a large growth in her ear that we had surgically removed this summer, but it came back, and bigger. UF is telling us to do a full TECA procedure so she can be comfortable. Read more about this on our giving page here: chra.us/give
🐴 Supporting Scholarships, Animal Care & Ranch Improvements
We’re always raising support to continue offering scholarships, providing top-notch care for our animals, and making property improvements that keep us safe, welcoming and able to make a difference.
❤️ Want to help?
Amazing — here’s the link:
👉 chra.us/give
There is always so much to share with you! Just 2 more things for today:
Why is Kiwi our KuneKune pig from New Zealand so cute? I think there are a thousand reasons - but one is that she flops over and wants to be petted, and it is usually irresistible.
Please tell your friends and family to join us for a Family Visit or a Birthday Party! Our weekly fall classes are full, but we LOVE seeing members of our community learn more about our animals.
Thank You! 🐴✨
Thank you for being part of the Cheyne Ranch community!
🐴 CHEYNE RANCH, INC. 🌟
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
📬 1963 Genova Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765
📞 Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | 📧 Email | 🌐 Website | 📘 Facebook | 📸 Instagram
💙 Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our Mission:
To teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, accessible community where individuals of all abilities build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop essential life skills.
October Update
Happy Fall Y’all!!
It’s OCTOBER!! I think that means cooler weather is coming soon. I hope.
🍂 Quick Updates
We have already completed week 6 of our 8-week Fall 1 block (can you believe it?!).
There are no classes this Friday or Saturday, October 3rd & 4th — this short break was built into our schedule.
We’ll be back on Monday to kick off Week 7!
I think of Fall 1 and Fall 2 together as a full Fall Semester. All our students keep their reserved spot by default, so if you need to make any changes, please let me know.
Upcoming Events
There is always so much to do in October and November! Here are a couple of our planned events:
Friday, October 24th - Kids’ Night Out!
Friday, October 24th - Volunteer SERVE night - come out and let’s work together! it will be fun!
Friday, October 31st - We have regular classes scheduled!
Friday, November 21st - Cheyne Ranch will be at the Makers Market 2025 presented by our friends at the Abilities Workshop. It is our 3rd year and it is so beautiful with all the Christmas lights!
Monday, November 24th - Sunday, November 30th - CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
Week of December 29th - 3 day WINTER BREAK CAMP!! More details soon…
Scholarships Update
Do you know what brings me joy? When Cheyne Ranch gets to share our services for FREE or even low cost to members of our special needs community. We do this through generous donations from people like you!! Here are a list of groups we are hosting for free this November because of your support:
In the past year we have enjoyed hosting the following groups for FREE or significantly reduced cost:
City of Oviedo SNAP (Special Needs Activity Program)
a few others that I am forgetting the names of
In addition, 18 of our 90 students this fall are attending for FREE or 50% discount because of our generous donors.
Today at Nature Club, the kids and I were talking about what we would do if we were Roblox programmers who make $5 million each month (that is a real thing as the 10 year old’s explained - and I believe them!) If I made $5 million each month, or even a fraction of that, I would make sure everything we do at Cheyne Ranch was FREE to our community members. I love it, and I want to keep growing and expanding our scholarship services to our special needs community.
Want to help? Awesome, here is the link: chra.us/give
There is always so much to share with you! Just 2 more things for today:
Please check out Julie Gerhard’s newsletter for her Speech Therapy practice called Ivory Speech Therapy. She is a long time partner with Cheyne Ranch and we love and appreciate what she brings to the community.
Please tell your friends and family to join us for a Family Visit or a Birthday Party! Our weekly fall classes are full, but we LOVE seeing members of our community learn more about our animals.
Thank You! 🐴✨
Thank you for being part of the Cheyne Ranch family!
🐴 CHEYNE RANCH, INC. 🌟
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
📬 1963 Genova Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765
📞 Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | 📧 Email | 🌐 Website | 📘 Facebook | 📸 Instagram
💙 Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our Mission:
To teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, accessible community where individuals of all abilities build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop essential life skills.
More Than Riding: What Our Mission and Vision Are Really About
Why connection, confidence, and life skills come first at Cheyne Ranch
We Love Riding Lessons — But That's Just the Start
At Cheyne Ranch, teaching people to ride is one of our greatest joys. We love introducing a beginner to the rhythm of a walk, watching a rider master their first trot, and celebrating the victories that come from hours in the saddle. But riding is not the only reason we are here, and it is not the whole story.
We do not compete, go to shows, or jump. Our programs focus on connection, growth, and confidence. That is why our Nature Clubs, animal care programs, and camps fill up the moment we open registration. Families know they are getting more than just "horse time" here.
Progress at the Pace That Works
Sometimes, students or parents will ask, "When will my child go faster?" Our answer is always rooted in safety, trust, and readiness. Every rider, whether they walk on day one or year three, is building skills that last a lifetime. Sometimes the slower path is the one that builds the deepest confidence and connection.
If you are curious about the specific skills we look for before introducing independent trotting, we’ve outlined them here: Top 10 Foundational Riding Skills for Independent Trotting.
What Connection Really Looks Like
Connection happens in the quiet moments - when a student learns to read a horse's body language, when they discover that approaching calmly helps an anxious horse relax, or when they realize that consistency in care builds trust over time. It's the teenager who finds peace grooming a gentle mare, the child who learns that horses respond to kindness rather than force, and the adult who discovers their own strength when a 1,200-pound animal chooses to trust them.
Horses don't judge based on social skills, academic performance, or how someone communicates. They respond to authenticity, patience, and genuine care - qualities that every person can develop and that serve them well beyond our barn.
Adapting for Every Rider
Over the years, we have become experts at tailoring lessons to meet an incredible variety of needs and neurodiversities. We adapt the environment, the activities, and our communication so that every student can participate fully and succeed on their own terms.
The Skills That Go Beyond the Arena
Students here:
Learn responsibility by caring for animals
Practice patience and persistence when progress takes time
Strengthen problem-solving and teamwork
Grow resilience by doing hard things and discovering they can
At Cheyne Ranch, riding may be the activity, but connection is the transformation.
🍂 📋 Fall Registration for NEW families
🦄 Hello wonderful Cheyne Ranch families!
We are putting together our🍁fall schedule!! 🍁
Read our SUMMER RECAP!
✨ NEW FAMILIES:
A family visit is required prior to enrollment in our classes (or you must have been here before). This serves as a safety orientation, a time to meet our animals and see our space, and it really helps students feel comfortable (excited!) about their first day of class. Please schedule that paid visit here: chra.us/f
📅 Important Timing Info
Cheyne Ranch Closed
We’ll be closed August 2 – August 21 (no classes). Family Visits still available
Some volunteer opportunities are available during these three weeks on Mon / Wed / Fri / Sat, AM & PM.
Fall Classes Start
Mark your calendars! Fall programs begin Friday, August 22nd 🎉
📅 Full-Year Calendar
Need specific dates for breaks and sessions?
View the full program calendar at: chra.us/p
🌿 Fall 2025 Nature Club Programs
Monday Morning Nature Club (w/ Ms. Erin! + 2 volunteers) <— 📣🆕📣
⏰ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday Afterschool Nature Club (w/ Ms. Katie + 3 volunteers)
⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday Morning Nature Club (w/ everyone: Sally, Katie, Erin, Abby A… + 4 volunteers)
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Fridays are full
All 3 programs include animal care, outdoor adventures, and hands-on learning.
Friday Nature Club includes ~10–15 minutes of time on horseback.
🐎 Fall 2025 Horseback Riding & PALS Lessons
We’re planning our fall schedule and we still have some openings!
Available Lesson Start Times:
MONDAYS
Morning: 9:00, 10:00
Afternoon: 4:00, 6:00 PM
WEDNESDAYS
Afternoon: 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 PM
THURSDAYS <— 📣🆕📣
Afternoon: 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 PM
FRIDAYS
Afternoon: 5:00, 6:00 PM
SATURDAYS
Morning: 9:00
📝 Scheduling Notes
🍂 As days shorten in fall, lessons will end earlier. By November, the last lesson begins at 5:00 PM and ends by 6:15 PM.
⏰ Continuing students have priority for their current time slots — please confirm with us if you're continuing.
🌟 We may open additional Wednesday, Thursday, or Sunday morning lessons depending on staffing.
❓ What We Need from You
For Nature Club:
Are you interested in Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon or Friday morning?
For Riding/PALS Lessons:
What day(s) and time(s) work best for your family?
Please text or email with your preferred time slot! We’ll use this to build the fall schedule!
📢 Important Notes
💧 Bring water! Refillable bottles are best
🥾 Wear closed-toed shoes or boots
👕 Dress for a mess — ranch days can be wet and dirty
🌦️ We meet rain or shine! Please only drive if it's safe
📅 All programs are 8-week commitments
(No refunds for missed classes; one makeup may be offered when possible for HBR/PALS)
Nature Club Extras:
🥪 Pack a snack + lunch — we eat together!
🏊 Swimsuit under clothes + towel (when swimming is offered)
📋 Program guidelines: chra.us/hbr
📌 There are no make-ups or refunds for missed Nature Club classes.
Thank You! 🐴✨
Thank you for being part of the Cheyne Ranch family!
We’re so excited to continue this amazing journey with your children this fall!
🐴 CHEYNE RANCH, INC. 🌟
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
📬 1963 Genova Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765
📞 Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | 📧 Email | 🌐 Website | 📘 Facebook | 📸 Instagram
💙 Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our Mission:
To teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, accessible community where individuals of all abilities build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop essential life skills.
Love Horses? Love People?
Join Our Team: Adaptive Horsemanship Instructors Wanted
🌟 Our Mission At Cheyne Ranch, we teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities build confidence, develop life skills and form meaningful relationships.
We are guided by clear values: safety, inclusion, growth, integrity, accountability, compassion, and connection. You can read more about our values here: cheyneranch.com/values
At Cheyne Ranch, we offer adaptive horsemanship programs rooted in relationship. Our calm, walk & trot lessons focus equally on riding, cleaning, and groundwork. We serve students with diverse learning needs and abilities, meeting each person with patience, predictability, and purpose.
What We're Looking For: You do not need experience in adaptive riding or special education to apply.
What you do need:
🐴 Walk/trot riding experience and comfortable horse handling
💛 Natural compassion and patience with diverse learners
🌱 Openness to our relationship-based approach
🫱🏼🫲🏽 Willingness to start as a volunteer to learn our methods
What You Can Expect:
🐴 Emphasis on animal care and connection. Our horses are well-loved partners, and every lesson starts with tending to their needs.
📘 You'll follow our structured curriculum, which focuses on connection, regulation, and slow, steady progress.
🪜 Progression through presence, not pressure. We build from the ground up, with most students working at the walk and spending significant time on the ground.
🌱 We value patience, presence, and humility as much as horsemanship experience — especially when working with kids and teens who process the world differently.
Position Details:
⏱️ Shifts: Typically 5 hours, $100 per shift for experienced instructors once hired
🗓️ Schedule: During daylight savings time - AM: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM | PM: 3:00 PM -8:00 PM
📅 Sessions: Five blocks of 8-week sessions throughout the year (View our calendar)
Ready to Learn More?
Volunteer shadow phase - Learn our approach alongside experienced instructors
Gradual transition to independent instruction with ongoing support
Structured curriculum and mentorship to guide your success
If you (or someone you know) has a heart for horses, a flexible teaching style, and a deep respect for every student's journey, we'd love to hear from you.
🐴 Top 11 Volunteer Competencies (Unmounted)
Volunteering Isn’t Just Mucking Stalls — But Let’s Start There
These are the foundational skills that every volunteer should master before working independently in the barn or assisting with mounted lessons. They support both horse care and student experience — and help ensure safety, consistency, and confidence for everyone involved.
1. Understanding Horse Behavior & Safe Movement
Volunteers must understand that horses are prey animals — easily startled and reactive. They must:
Respect a horse’s personal space and blind spots
Read basic body language (ears, eyes, posture)
Approach and move around horses calmly and confidently
Safely move horses through tight spaces, busy barns, and unpredictable environments
2. Safe Handling: Haltering, Leading, and Tying
Volunteers should:
Confidently approach and halter a horse
Lead from either side with correct rope handling and voice commands
Navigate through gates, stalls, and doorways safely
Tie using a quick-release knot in designated, safe areas
3. Appropriate Attire & Helmet Fit
Volunteers must:
Wear safe footwear (closed-toe with a heel)
Use ASTM-SEI helmets when working closely with horses
Know how to properly fit a helmet on themselves or others
4. Grooming & Hoof Care
Before any mounted lesson or handling:
Use grooming tools (currycomb, body brush, etc.) effectively
Groom the whole horse for cleanliness and comfort
Safely pick all four hooves, checking for debris or signs of thrush
Communicate clearly if the horse seems uncomfortable or off
5. Tack Handling & Lesson Prep
Volunteers should:
Know the parts and function of tack (saddle, bridle, girth, halter, etc.)
Understand how to tack and untack a horse correctly
Recognize signs of ill-fitting or damaged tack
Clean tack as needed and store it in the correct location
6. Leading During Mounted Lessons
When assisting a mounted student, volunteers must:
Lead horses calmly and consistently
Respond to instructor cues while staying aware of the student and horse
Help with mounting and dismounting, under supervision
Know when to step in and when to give space — prioritizing safety and support
7. Arena Setup & Activity Support
Volunteers must be ready to:
Follow instructor instructions to set up obstacle courses, games, or cones
Adjust arena layout quickly and efficiently
Remain engaged and proactive during sessions to ensure smooth transitions
8. Independent Barn Chores
Trusted volunteers should be able to work independently, including:
Mucking and re-bedding stalls
Moving horses to and from feeding areas or turnouts
Filling and cleaning water buckets, hay nets, and feed bins
Using basic equipment safely (pitchforks, wheelbarrows, etc.)
9. Feeding & Grain Preparation
Volunteers should:
Understand each horse’s feed plan (grain type, quantity, and timing)
Follow feeding charts accurately
Know how to prepare, label, and deliver grain safely
Recognize and report spoiled hay, moldy feed, or water issues
10. Clean-Up & Organization
A reliable volunteer:
Sweeps, picks up, and leaves the barn cleaner than they found it
Returns tools, tack, and supplies to the proper place
Helps maintain a clutter-free, professional-looking space
Jumps in to help without being asked — “see it, do it” mindset
11. Communication & Problem-Solving
Volunteers must:
Know when to act independently and when to ask for help
Communicate clearly and calmly with instructors and team members
Use ranch systems (task list, chat, etc.) to stay organized and informed
Stay steady and focused, even in busy or high-pressure situations
💡 Final Note:
Volunteers are vital to safety, smooth operations, and creating a positive experience for horses and humans. Competency in these 10 areas shows that a volunteer can be trusted, helpful, and professional in both quiet and busy barn environments.