Volunteer Opportunities

Therapy Riding Assistant as Horse Leader or Riders side walker.

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Assist the coach of the day as a sidewalker and/or horse leader to ensure rider's with disabilities therapy goals are met, in our Indoor arena.
There are three sessions per day. This will involve walking alongside the horse and rider for up to an hour per session, giving verbal encouragement and enabling the rider to assume different riding postures to gain maximum benefit from the horse movement. You may need to have a physical hold of the rider. You will help to prevent accidents or falls and assist riders in the learning process and/or with posture and balance. Training will be given.
You may also be needed to assist as a Horse Leader, (training will be given), where you will concentrate on the behaviour of the horse, controlling its speed and direction, while being aware of the rider and the person walking alongside.
Please request a referral to find out more details of our NEXT NEW VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP taking place in our indoor Arena, Canterbury Agricultural Park, Northcote Drive, Wigram, THURSDAY 19TH JUNE, 2025, at 10am to 12pm. Our website is www.chchrda.org.nz for more details. Please request a referral if you would like to attend. You-tube videos: RDA – NZRDA Side Walking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSGr2Ot0XJk
& NZRDA Leading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LoIz29cD-E

This role contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
5 Good Health and Wellbeing

Requirements:

Love of horses and/or empathy with people who have disabilities. Experience with handling horses is an advantage. Good level of fitness as we often walk 8,000+ steps in a day and good communication as part of a team and communication skills with our disabled riders.

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:

Time required is minimum of 1 hour on the day of your choice between 9am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday, during school terms. Consistent availability is appreciated for at least one school term. (approx. 10 weeks).

Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below. We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.

Ref: 127

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