Horse Leader Job Description
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| 14 Lilac Drive Windham, ME (207) 892 2813 (O) (207) 892 6523 (F) |
The primary responsibility of the horse leader is management of the horse and ensuring rider safety both on the ground
and once mounted.
Requirements: Horse experience is necessary including the ability to read horse behavior and have horse handling
skills. Understanding how to tack a horse with English and Western tack is important in your role as horse leader. The
rider will look to you for guidance in proper tacking and grooming techniques. A desire to help people with disabilities is
also essential. Your ability to work as a team member and follow directions is required. Understanding your own personal
limitations as well as rider limitations is important to the safety of all individuals. Commitment to the program and your
scheduled volunteer time is crucial. Riders rely on volunteers for mental and emotional support as well as physical support
when needed.
To become a horse leader you must:
• Attend a Volunteer Training session (group or individual) and completion of all required paperwork prior to volunteering.
• Achieve competency with horse management including leading, tacking, and understanding
of horse communication (pinning of ears, swishing of tail, etc.)
• Have the endurance and strength to participate in a 1 hour lesson involving walking and
running and appropriate upper body strength to control the horse at all times.
• Possess communication and team skills to work with rider and additional volunteers involved
in the lesson.
• Understand and demonstrate confidence with regards to riders’ diagnoses.
• Have appropriate attire for lessons—closed toe shoes, minimal jewelry and or flowing
clothing, no perfumes, etc.
and once mounted.
Requirements: Horse experience is necessary including the ability to read horse behavior and have horse handling
skills. Understanding how to tack a horse with English and Western tack is important in your role as horse leader. The
rider will look to you for guidance in proper tacking and grooming techniques. A desire to help people with disabilities is
also essential. Your ability to work as a team member and follow directions is required. Understanding your own personal
limitations as well as rider limitations is important to the safety of all individuals. Commitment to the program and your
scheduled volunteer time is crucial. Riders rely on volunteers for mental and emotional support as well as physical support
when needed.
To become a horse leader you must:
• Attend a Volunteer Training session (group or individual) and completion of all required paperwork prior to volunteering.
• Achieve competency with horse management including leading, tacking, and understanding
of horse communication (pinning of ears, swishing of tail, etc.)
• Have the endurance and strength to participate in a 1 hour lesson involving walking and
running and appropriate upper body strength to control the horse at all times.
• Possess communication and team skills to work with rider and additional volunteers involved
in the lesson.
• Understand and demonstrate confidence with regards to riders’ diagnoses.
• Have appropriate attire for lessons—closed toe shoes, minimal jewelry and or flowing
clothing, no perfumes, etc.
Side Walker Job Description
The primary responsibility of the side walker during a lesson is to assure the safety and wellbeing of the rider.
Requirements
Experience working with horses is helpful but not necessary. A desire to help people with disabilities is
essential. Ability to work as a team member and follow direction is required.
Responsibilities
May greet the rider and parent or caregiver and ask how rider is feeling. A rider may be having a good day, may
be tired, or recovering from an illness; the lesson may be structured accordingly.
Assists instructor with mounting and dismounting the rider.
Physically supports the rider and interacts with the rider. Helps reinforce directions from the instructor after
giving the rider time to respond without cues.
Interfaces with other team members and the rider while grooming and tacking.
Communicates with horse leader to convey rider responses to the horse’s pace and movement.
May assist instructor with setting up arena in preparation for lesson, if rider has sufficient volunteers to assist
during grooming and tacking.
Communicates with rider and family at end of lesson. Encourages feedback in both directions.
Requirements
Experience working with horses is helpful but not necessary. A desire to help people with disabilities is
essential. Ability to work as a team member and follow direction is required.
Responsibilities
May greet the rider and parent or caregiver and ask how rider is feeling. A rider may be having a good day, may
be tired, or recovering from an illness; the lesson may be structured accordingly.
Assists instructor with mounting and dismounting the rider.
Physically supports the rider and interacts with the rider. Helps reinforce directions from the instructor after
giving the rider time to respond without cues.
Interfaces with other team members and the rider while grooming and tacking.
Communicates with horse leader to convey rider responses to the horse’s pace and movement.
May assist instructor with setting up arena in preparation for lesson, if rider has sufficient volunteers to assist
during grooming and tacking.
Communicates with rider and family at end of lesson. Encourages feedback in both directions.