Volunteer Opportunities

Calendar
Volunteer Registration
Volunteer Training
Volunteer Handbook

If you love horses, fresh air, the great outdoors and helping others, then Grace Lake Ministries has several volunteer opportunities available for you!

Sidewalker

The sidewalker walks alongside the horse while the rider is riding. The primary responsibility of a sidewalker is to maintain constant awareness of the rider and their safety during the lesson, while providing physical and motivational support. 

Qualifications for Sidewalker: Minimum age is 14. You must be able to walk briskly in sand and jog intermittently for short periods of time while the horse is trotting. You must be able to walk in sand for 45 minutes and on uneven ground when going out on trail rides. You must be able to provide physical support for a rider, which may require you to have your hand on the rider’s thigh while walking beside them. You must be committed for the time slot you sign up for to come out each week and attend a volunteer training prior to your first class.

volunteer, sidewalker, therapeutic horsemanship, equine therapy

Horse Leader

The primary responsibility of the horse leader is to maintain control of the horse during pre-class grooming, as well as during the lesson. The horse leader is also responsible for guiding, stopping, and starting the horse without making the rider feel that they are simply along for the ride.

Qualifications for Horse Leader: Minimum age is 14. You must be able to walk briskly in sand and jog intermittently for short periods of time while the horse is trotting. You must be able to walk in sand for 45 minutes and on uneven ground when going out on trail rides. You must have experience with horses and horse behaviors. You must be committed for the time slot you sign up for to come out each week and attend a volunteer training prior to your first class.

therapeutic horsemanship volunteers

Other Opportunities

For more information about volunteering with Grace Lake, including additional opportunities related to facility maintenance, marketing, fundraising, and grant writing, please email our Volunteer Coordinator.

volunteer, therapeutic horsemanship, equine therapy, equine assisted services

Volunteer Mission Statement

To provide committed, skilled, trained, and experienced volunteers whose passion is to meet the varied needs of others at Grace Lake.

Volunteer Registration Form

Click here to complete our volunteer registration form online

Volunteer Renewal Form

Click here to complete our volunteer renewal form online

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Date of Birth(Required)

Releases and Agreements

Liability Release(Required)
I would like to participate in the Grace Lake Ministries equine assisted program. I acknowledge the risks and potential risks of horseback riding. However, I feel that the possible benefits to myself/my son/my daughter/my ward are greater than the risks assumed. I hereby, intending to be legally bound, for myself, my heirs, and assigns, executors or administrators, waive and release forever all claims for damages against Grace Lake Ministries, its Board of Directors, Instructors, Therapists, Aids, Horse Owners Volunteers and/or Employees for any and all injuries and/or losses I/my son/my daughter/my ward may sustain while participating in Grace Lake Ministries therapeutic horsemanship programs. WARNING – Under Texas law (Chapter 87, Civil Practice and Remedies Code), an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities.
Photo Release(Required)
I consent to and authorize the use and reproduction by Grace Lake Ministries of any and all photographs and any other audio/visual materials taken of me for promotional material, educational activities, exhibitions or for any other use for the benefit of the program.
Required if volunteer is under the age of 18
MM slash DD slash YYYY
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Volunteer Training

Saturday, August 19, 2023
9:00 – 11:00 am
9611 FM 1827, Anna TX 75409

Please RSVP to admin@gracelakeministries.org.