NARHA Premier Accredited Center

Get Involved - Become a Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to the Little Bit program. Our main need is for class volunteers because each week over 180 volunteers are needed to assist riders! We ask for a minimum time commitment of approximately 2 hours a week for the duration of an 8 to 12 week quarter. Since we offer classes 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday, roughly 8am to 8pm, you can choose a day and time that best fits your schedule. To volunteer in a class, you will need to attend Training (approximately 2 hours), where you will learn Little Bit techniques for: grooming, tacking, leading, sidewalking, mounting and dismounting. We would be delighted to have you return quarter after quarter since experienced class volunteers provide stability and a sense of community, familiarity with riders' goals and needs, and proficiency with horses and tack.

We also offer many important non-class volunteer opportunities in the areas of: special events, barn help, end of quarter office help, grant writing, bulk mailings, yard work, facilities maintenance, etc. Non-class volunteers need not attend Training.

If you would like to take the next step toward becoming a Little Bit volunteer, please call us to RSVP for one of our upcoming Orientations. During the one hour Orientation, you will learn more about our program and specific volunteer opportunities.

Please note that work party projects are also available throughout the year for groups interested in community service work, such as Boy Scouts, Pony Clubs, Youth Boards, etc. No Training or Orientation is necessary for these projects. Please contact the Little Bit Volunteer Coordinator at 425-882-1554 to learn about current projects.

Objective:
To have primary responsibility for the horse, i.e. prepare the horse for class, maintain safety spacing, and help the horse follow the directions of the rider during class. Secondary responsibility to assist the rider to follow the directions of the instructor.

Qualifications Required:

• Commitment to attend class each week for the length of a quarter
• Horse experience
• Walk for an hour at a time (indoors or outdoors) on uneven surfaces
• Hear and understand instructors in English
• Must have adequate vision to ensure safety of horses and participants
• Lift up to 20 pounds (saddle) above your head
• Ability to adapt to change and be flexible

Qualifications Desired:

• Minimum age of fourteen
• Ability to attend training and enrichment courses throughout the year

Responsibilities:

• Ensure horse is groomed, tacked and warming up in arena 10 minutes prior to class
• Lead the horse in class
• Listen to the directions of the instructor
• Untack the horse after class (unless it is needed in the class following)

Timeframe:

• Minimum length of commitment: one day a week for the length of a quarter
• Estimated total hours: two hours per day per class (more classes can be done)

Volunteer Benefits:

• Satisfaction of helping your community
• Gain an understanding and appreciation of what it means to live with disabilities
• Learn about the care of horses
• Acquire community service hours for school, church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
• Personal growth
• Develop new friendships

For further information:
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator, 425-882-1554

Objective:
To physically support the rider (during riding, mounting and dismounting), help the rider guide their horse in the arena, and assist the rider in following the directions of the instructor as necessary. The amount of support required is dependent on each rider's abilities.

Qualifications Required:

• Commitment to attend class each week for the length of a quarter
• Walk for an hour at a time (indoors or outdoors) on uneven surfaces
• Ability to hold your arm raised and out to the side for up to an hour at a time
• Hear and understand instructors in English
• Must have adequate vision to ensure safety of horses and participants
• Ability to adapt to change and be flexible
• Comfort in working with the disabled (including physical contact)

Qualifications Desired:

• Minimum age of fourteen
• Minimum height of 5 feet
• Horse experience preferred
• Ability to attend training and enrichment courses throughout the year

Responsibilities:

• Help prepare horses for class (grooming and tacking)
• Assist with supporting rider during mounting and dismounting as necessary
• Walk next to the rider throughout class, including physical support as necessary
• Help rider follow directions given by the instructor

Timeframe:

• Minimum length of commitment: one day a week for the length of a quarter
• Estimated total hours: two hours per day per class (more classes can be done)

Volunteer Benefits:

• Satisfaction of helping your community
• Gain an understanding and appreciation of what it means to live with disabilities
• Learn about the care of horses
• Acquire community service hours for school, church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
• Personal growth
• Develop new friendships

For further information:
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator, 425-882-1554

Non-profit information available through

NARHA Premier Accredited Center