Volunteer

Safety First

• Respect the farm, the animals who live there and the people who work there.
• Be calm and quiet. Sudden moves can cause a horse to shy (jump sideways) or kick out.
• When tying use a quick release knot (see below) or panic snap so that if the horse gets scared and pulls he can quickly be freed. The feeling of being constrained can make a scared horse panic to the point of hurting himself or you.
• YOU LIKE THOSE FINGERS? Never loop lead ropes, longe lines, or reins around your hands or any other body part. If your horse pulls away, you could be dragged.
• The safest way to lead a horse is with a halter and lead rope. Don’t hook your fingers through the halter straps, rings or the bit. If the horse pulls away, your fingers could be caught, injuring them or catching your hand so that you are dragged.
• YOU SIGNED THE WAIVER, RIGHT? Never stand directly behind a horse. If you are grooming its tail, stand to one side and pull the tail gently over.
• The safest place to stand is beside your horse’s shoulder where you can see each other, or about 10 or more feet away.
• When grooming, saddling up, or cleaning your horse’s stall, tie your horse up. And don’t leave a tied horse unattended.
• DON’T BE SHOCKED! Many of the fences at Begin Again are electrified. Ask or check to see if the power is on before crawling through or touching fences.

Volunteer FAQ

• How old do I have to be to volunteer? We don’t have a minimum age for volunteering. Our recommendation however is to judge your child’s maturity level before you consider bringing them out. They need to be able to follow our safety guidelines. Underage children also need to be accompanied by a supervising adult.
• What are good times to come out? Most volunteers come out Saturday morning between 9 and 12. This is a get to know us time, but we welcome volunteers Monday through Sunday by appointment.
• What should I wear? Always wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Clothing should be comfortable and not too loose. You might get caught on fences. Long pants are recommended. Closed toed shoes are mandatory, ideally sturdy shoes like boots. Dress in layers so you can adjust easily as the temperatures at the farm vary. Bringing work gloves is also recommended.
• Will I be able to ride? Rarely. Even though we ride our horses it is very unpredictable when that is going to happen. If you do get to ride, wear a helmet.
• What should I expect? The work at the farm varies widely from unloading hay to fixing fences, cleaning gear or brushing horses.
• What about my valuables? We will not take responsibility for lost or broken items. The safest is to leave valuables in your vehicle or at home.
• Where do I park? Normal parking is around the arenas just inside the gate. Special parking is marked during events. Remember that some of the horses may be running free. Do not leave things on or outside your vehicle that may hurt horses, or that you don’t want eaten!
• Can I come to the farm for my school community hours? Yes.
• How much does it cost to come out? Absolutely nothing.