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.

Spring Therapeutic Riding Lesson Volunteers: Lead & Side Walker Shifts

SUNDAYS
8:30-10:30am and/or 10:30am-12:30pm
Mar 8, 15, 22, 29; Apr 12, 19; May 10, 17, 31; Jun 7, 14

MONDAYS
10-11am
Mar 9, 16, 23; Apr 6, 13, 20, 27; May 11, 18; Jun 1, 8, 15

MONDAYS
3-5pm and/or 4-6pm
Mar 9, 16, 23, 30; Apr 13, 20, 27; May 11, 18; Jun 1, 8, 15


TUESDAYS
10-11am
Mar 3, 17, 24; Apr 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, 19; Jun 2, 9, 16

TUESDAYS
3-5pm and/or 4-6pm
Mar 10, 17, 24, 31; Apr 14, 21, 28; May 12, 19; Jun 2, 9, 16

WEDNESDAYS
10:15-11:15am
Mar 11; Apr 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20; Jun 3, 10

WEDNESDAYS
3-5pm and/or 4-6pm
Mar 11, 18, 25; Apr 8, 15, 22, 29; May 13, 20; Jun 3, 10, 17

THURSDAYS
10-11am
Mar 12, 19, 26; Apr 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21; Jun 4, 11

THURSDAYS
3-5pm and/or 4-6pm
Mar 12, 19, 26; Apr 9, 16, 23, 30; May 14, 21; Jun 4, 11, 18

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER→

    • 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.

    • 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)

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

Spring Farm Crew Shifts

SUNDAYS
1pm-3pm, 2:30-4pm or 3-4pm
Weekly, March 8 - June 28

MONDAYS
9-11am, 3-5pm or 4-5pm 
Weekly, March 9 - June 29

TUESDAYS
9-11am, 3-5pm or 4-5pm
Weekly, March 10 - June 30

WEDNESDAYS
9-11am, 3-5pm or 4-5pm 
Weekly, March 11 - July 1

THURSDAYS
9-11am, 3-5pm or 4-5pm 
Weekly, March 12 - July 2

FRIDAYS
8-10am, 2:30-4pm or 3-4pm
Weekly, March 13 - July 3

SATURDAYS
8-10am, 2:30-4pm or 3-4pm
Weekly, March 14 - July 4

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER →

    • Morning Farm Crew volunteers help maintain our red barn, goat, sheep, pig and chicken enclosures. Morning Farm Crew volunteers must be 18 years or older.

    • The afternoon Farm Crew helps clean paddocks and with other tasks around the farm. Afternoon Farm Crew volunteers must be 14 years or older.

    • Following training, volunteers are expected to complete tasks independently or with minimal assistance from staff.

Spring Garden Crew Volunteer Shifts

SUNDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 19 - June 28

MONDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 20 - June 29

TUESDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 21 - June 30

WEDNESDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 22 - July 1

THURSDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 23 - July 2

FRIDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 24 - July 3

SATURDAYS
10am-11am
Weekly, April 25 - July 4

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER→

    • Support our half-acre Farm in the Forest food production garden with a weekly shift. 

    • Contribute to daily operations and seasonal projects including weeding, mulching, watering and harvesting.

    • Depending on the weather, garden crew shifts are available for late spring, summer, and the early fall semester.

    • Garden crew volunteer work may require bending, lifting and carrying heavy loads, using wheelbarrows, and working with common garden tools. 

    • Following training, volunteers are expected to complete tasks independently or with minimal assistance from staff.

Requirements for all volunteer roles

All volunteers must:

  • be 14 years or older for lessons, afternoon Farm Crew, and Garden Crew

  • be 18 years or older for morning Farm Crew

  • be willing to be outdoors, rain or shine

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

  • complete orientation and training where assigned tasks and best practices will be demonstrated

  • 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

  • for safety reasons, volunteers are required to wear long pants and sturdy closed-toe shoes (sneakers or boots).

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