Volunteer
with Pony Power

Pony Power volunteers are fundamental to our work.

We train approximately 150 new volunteers each year and have a regular rotation of 100 volunteers each semester to assist in horse-assisted lessons and help care for the farm, small animals and garden.

We provide our volunteers with training and community building opportunities to make their time on the farm as enriching as possible.

Two volunteers support a young boy on horseback during a therapeutic riding lesson

Therapeutic Riding Lesson Volunteers: Lead & Side Walkers

SUNDAYS
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24, December 8, 15
8:30am-10:30am OR 10:30am-12:30pm

MONDAYS
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, December 9, 16
10am-11am, 3pm-5pm OR 4-6pm 

TUESDAYS
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, December 10, 17
3-5pm OR 4-6pm

TUESDAYS
October 29, November 5, 12, 19, December 10, 17
10am-11am

WEDNESDAYS
September 11, 18, 25, October 9, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
10am-11am, 3pm-5pm OR 4-6pm

THURSDAYS
September 12, 19, 26, October 10, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 12, 19
3pm-5pm OR 4pm-6pm

  • Lead walker: Handles the horse during a lesson. Following the instructor’s direction, the lead walker will help as needed in steering and maintaining the horse’s speed. Previous horse experience is required.

    Side walker: Provides physical support to the rider during a lesson, helping them maintain a balanced position on the horse. Following the instructor’s direction, a side walker will often play an active role in helping riders complete various exercises,such as stretching, counting and reaching.

    Therapeutic riding lessons are given year-round, rain or shine.

Farm Crew Volunteers

MONDAYS
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
9-11am, 3-4pm, 3-5pm OR 4-5pm

TUESDAYS
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 17, 26, December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
3-4pm, 3-5pm OR 4-5pm

WEDNESDAYS
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 18, 25, January 1
3-4pm, 3-5pm OR 4-5pm

THURSDAYS
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12, 19, 26, January 2
9-11am, 3-4pm, 3-5pm OR 4-5pm

FRIDAYS
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13, 20, 27, January 3
2:30-3:30pm, 2:30-4pm OR 3-4pm

SATURDAYS
September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7, 14, 21, 28, January 4
8-10am

  • Morning crew: Helps maintain our red barn, goat, pig and chicken enclosures.

    Afternoon crew: Helps clean paddocks and does other chores around the farm.

A man wearing a hat bends down to tend to plants in the Farm in the Forest garden

Garden Crew Volunteers

SUNDAYS
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24, December 8, 15, 22, 29
10-11am 

MONDAYS
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
10-11am

TUESDAYS
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 17, 26, December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
10-11am

WEDNESDAYS
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 18, 25, January 1
10-11am

THURSDAYS
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12, 19, 26, January 2
10-11am

FRIDAYS
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13, 20, 27, January 3
10-11am

  • Support our half-acre Farm in the Forest food production garden. Tasks include weeding, mulching, watering and harvesting.

Requirements

All volunteers must:

  • be 14 years or older

  • be willing to be outdoors, rain or shine

  • have the ability to follow directions in a fast-paced environment

  • complete volunteer orientation and training

  • commit to a date and time for the semester

  • be able to lift and move approximately 30 pounds, for example, water buckets and full wheelbarrows

  • be able to walk for up to 90 minutes in a dirt arena and jog for short distances (Riding Lesson volunteers only)

  • be able to support riders up to 180 pounds if asked (limited; Riding Lesson volunteers only)

Volunteers must be a suitable match. You will be notified of acceptance after training.

“Volunteering at Pony Power has completely changed my life. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life! The farm is magic.”

— Bonnie, volunteer