Children, who might never have walked, enjoy a chance to experience the exhilaration of moving freely, mounted atop a horse or pony. While riders are involved in specialized games designed to improve coordination, the horses' gait massages their leg muscles. You need only watch one session to realize how much riding impacts the self-confidence and well being of the students. As a result of increased demand, Volunteers carry heavier work loads. Three or more volunteers are needed to ensure the safety of one rider.
Some volunteers work only at special events or for specific jobs.
Others schedule an hour or more on a weekly or monthly basis. If you can mix a cup of hot chocolate, bake a cookie lead a horse, run an errand or snap a picture, make a phone call, or stuff an envelope, you are needed. We continue to volunteer because we have seen how much the program helps the riders and because there are few things more rewarding than sharing the joy exhibited by the Special Riders when they are mounted on Equest horses or ponies. Still, no amount of dedication can replace the sheer need of more persons to assist us. What might seem like an insignificant few minutes to you would be greatly appreciated by the Riders.