Flying Changes of Virginia is made up of two groups of individuals, the humans who sit on the Board of Directors and the four-legged therapists, or horses, that work with our clients. The members of our Board of Directors have many individual hobbies and families to go home to when they are feeling stressed or bored or just need to relax. But what do our horses do when they get bored or stressed or just need to relax? They have our volunteer exercise riders! Flying Changes of Virginia strives to maintain a positive training regimen while improving our horses’ overall fitness and well-being. When horses get bored with their job or stressed, they tend to develop bad behaviors and negative work ethics. In order to prevent these behaviors from happening, Flying Changes developed a volunteer exercise rider program to remind our horses how to do their job and to challenge their minds with new things. The following is a job description and specific qualities needed to be a volunteer exercise rider with Flying Changes:

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

Performs responsible, professional work involving the training of program horses. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Equine Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator.

TYPICAL TASKS:

• Respond to identified equine training issues on ground, mounted and trail;
• Assist with equine special events;
• Identify problematic equine behavioral issues;
• Assist with equine medical situations;
• Maintain documentation of equine training progress and needs;
• Monitor equine program safety issues;
• Perform related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Extensive knowledge of horse training and medical concerns; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; knowledge of program goals, client population and relevant equine training issues.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Previous experience in the care, maintenance and riding of horses.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Demonstrates safe and appropriate riding skills.

Our program mainly focuses on all ground work activities. We currently need volunteers to work on leading and getting our horses to be more responsive to voice commands.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer exercise rider with Flying Changes, please complete a Volunteer Exercise Rider Application and email it to Paula Griggs, Volunteer Coordinator. Once your application is received and reviewed you will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator via email. If your application is accepted at that time, you will be invited to come out to the barn and complete a riding demonstration.