Therapy with more horsepower
Become a Volunteer
Ironstone farm volunteering
The programs at Ironstone Farm depend on volunteers to assist the Ironstone Team in providing therapeutic riding programs to individuals with a variety of challenges. Each client needs between 1 and 3 volunteers for his/her session and without the commitment of 200 or more volunteers weekly, we would be unable to provide the services that we offer to our 400 clients weekly, year round! When you volunteer at Ironstone Farm, you have the opportunity to make a profound difference in someone's life.
Ironstone Farm is interested in all who are willing to give their time in exchange for a rewarding and fun experience. Aside from being fun, volunteering provides the opportunity to receive rewarding personal experiences, fulfill community service requirements, learn new things, engage in beneficial exercise and even develop lifelong friendships.
The minimum age to volunteer is 13 (sorry, no exceptions).
how do i become a volunteer?
First you need to complete an Ironstone Farm Volunteer Packet. When complete, please mail, fax or drop off the completed forms to Ironstone Farm. The volunteer team will review the packet and call you if there are any questions.
Certain times of the year we have greater need for volunteers than other. Our goal is to have volunteers in a workshop as quickly as possible!
When your availability matches the farm's current needs you will be contacted, generally by email, to attend a training workshop. At that time, you will be asked to complete some additional forms which you will need to bring to the workshop. After attending a volunteer training workshop, you will be scheduled to volunteer on a weekly basis (other options are also available).
Frequently Asked Questions
I have horse experience. Do I need to attend the workshop?
Yes, everyone regardless of experience must attend the training workshop. At the workshop you will participate in an orientation session followed by active participation in a horse-handling session.
Do I need previous horse experience?
No, you don't need horse experience to volunteer here. Training is provided in the workshop.
What is covered in the volunteer training workshop?
- History of Ironstone Farm
- Orientation of the different programs offered at Ironstone Farm
- Volunteer policies and procedures
- Volunteer opportunities
- Actual horse handling, to include: grooming, tacking up the horse, leading the horse, side-walking with clients and properly cooling down the horse
When do you need volunteers?
Every day! Ironstone Farm is open Monday through Saturday and our needs depend on the clients' schedules and our daily requirements. The earliest time we need a volunteer is 9:15 a.m. and the latest tends to be early evening. When completing the volunteer application and schedule, please be as specific as you can be about your availability.
We often need volunteers for special events and projects around the farm. We also host corporate volunteer opportunities and service group opportunities.
What is the commitment to volunteer?
While the minimum commitment is one hour each week; we prefer that you are able to commit to between 2 and 3 consecutive hours weekly. You will be scheduled for the same day and time each week. Are you an adult with a rotating work schedule? Contact the volunteer team for options.
What other volunteer opportunities are there at Ironstone Farm?
Volunteering at Ironstone Farm can lead to opportunities in the following areas: participating in our feeding program; working student program (for teens); and apprentice program (to become a licensed riding instructor in Massachusetts). To be considered for these programs you must attend a volunteer training workshop. If working around horses is not for you, we have opportunities working in the Welcome Center meeting and greeting clients, as well as volunteering for special events.