You'll spend your time outdoors, alongside our horses, helping children, adults with disabilities, veterans, and seniors do things they've been told they couldn't do. Walk. Speak. Find their balance. Build trust.
No riding experience or horse background needed — we train you when you arrive. All you bring is your time and your willingness to show up. We rely on hundreds of volunteers each season to support lessons, care for our herd, and keep the barn welcoming. Whether you can come weekly or just occasionally, there's a role for you.
Key Volunteer Roles
Lesson Support
Lesson Support (Side Walking) - This is where almost everyone begins, and no experience is needed. Walk alongside a rider during their therapeutic riding session, offering steady support and encouragement and help them follow the instructor’s directions.
- Help prepare riders for their lessons.
- Support riders during mounting and dismounting. Walk, and sometimes briefly jog, beside the rider throughout the class, providing physical support as needed.
- Encourage the rider to follow the instructor’s cues.
Barn and Grounds
Barn and Grounds - Keep the barn running and our herd comfortable. This role is physical and may involve lifting up to 30 pounds.
- Clean and fill water buckets; clean feed pans.
- Fill hay nets, sweep, and tidy common areas.
- Muck stalls and paddocks. Feed the ducks and chickens and clean their coops.
Lead Walking
Lead Walking (Experienced Volunteers) Once you have completed at least one Lesson Support or Barn work shift, you can train to lead horses during therapeutic classes. After attending a training, a staff member will let you know if you’ve been approved to sign up for lead-walking shifts.
- Lead an assigned horse during class while staying in sync with the side-walking team.
- Follow the instructor’s direction throughout the session, keeping your focus on the horse.
- Bring horses in and out of the arena.
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Who Can Volunteer
- Age 16 or older — or ages 13–15 with instructor permission.
- Able to stand and walk for 30+ minutes at a time.
- Able to briefly jog alongside a horse and rider during lessons.
Our volunteer community is as diverse as the city we serve, and that includes volunteers with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to volunteer with us, tell us when you register or email us. We will work with you. Questions? Email volunteer@gallopnyc.org.
Thank You for Taking the Step to Volunteeer
Your first visit is friendly and low-pressure. A site supervisor will greet you, introduce you to the team, and pair you with experienced volunteers so you never have to figure things out alone. You will meet the horses, learn the basics of the role, and jump in. Most volunteers tell us the first shift goes by faster than they expected, and that they leave wanting to come back.
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes or boots (no sandals, crocs, uggs, or ballet flats), long pants, and layers for the weather. You will be outdoors and on your feet. We recommend bringing water.
