Volunteer

Our riders work hard to meet their goals and are supported by the combined efforts of the equine, instructor, and volunteers. The program enjoys tremendous volunteer support. Community support is also evident with the collaboration of local service clubs and youth groups such as, the Hope Horizon Mental Health, Tulare County Mental Health, United Way, and Kaweah Health Rehabilitation Center of Kaweah Health Hospital.

Volunteers are an important part of any Happy Trails Riding Academy activity. Without the extra sets of hands to help riders sit tall in the saddle, and guide their horses, it would be difficult to operate our program.

We are volunteer-driven, partnering with an average of 75 volunteers each week who donate more than 11,000 hours of service yearly. Volunteers’ talents are applied to a variety of tasks, but most often they work with the instructors and therapists in direct contact with our riders and horses.

    • Act as a side-walker for mounted participants

    • After training, groom, saddle, and lead horses during a riding lesson

    • Prepare the property for events

  • Our dedicated staff closely monitors the care of our herd. This includes performing the day-to-day maintenance that comes with managing livestock. While extra hands may be needed in preparation for on-site events, the jobs below are covered by staff:

    • Cleaning stalls (outside of event preparation)

    • Feeding horses

    • Brushing horses

    • Riding/exercising horses

    • Orientation to our facility, our services, and equine-assisted services in general

    • Volunteer responsibilities

    • Safety rules and regulations

    • Confidentiality issues

    • Emergency procedures

    • Introduction to types of disabilities seen in the program

As a Happy Trails Riding Academy volunteer, your role is to be a helpful presence and to support the staff in whatever you are asked. Over time you will develop friendships with our participants of all ages. This is a wonderful part of being a Happy Trails Riding Academy volunteer as it allows you to become a part of the lives of a variety or people and lets you share your personal skills and talents.

To volunteer with, us you must attend our Volunteer Orientation. Please email us if you are interested in attending an orientation. Please note that you must be at least 14 years old to volunteer at Happy Trails Riding Academy.

Volunteer Orientations are typically scheduled before one of our three enrollment periods (spring, summer, and fall). Volunteer Orientations for 2026 are tentatively scheduled for the following dates:

Saturday, January 24, 9am-noon

Saturday, January 31, 9am-noon