VOLUNTEER
Serving the greater Baton Rouge area
At GaitWay we have an opportunity for everyone who is willing to give of their time and talent. Listed below is a brief description of jobs that need you!
Program Opportunities
Our primary area of need is in our lesson program. Volunteers work directly with the horses and riders to ensure a safe and productive learning environment.
Lesson prep
Volunteers arrive early for the lesson to help the instructor and rider bring the horse in, groom the horse, and tack the horse.
Lessons
During lessons, the responsibility of the volunteer is to ensure a safe environment for the rider. Our certified instructors are always the ones giving instruction - the volunteer is there to help everything go safely and smoothly.
After the lesson
Cleaning and putting away tack and other supplies is the final step to the process.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit to volunteer at GaitWay?
Yes. For safety reasons, volunteers must be at least 14 years old inorder to volunteer in our program. There is no maximum age.
What do I need to wear to volunteer at GaitWay?
If you are coming to volunteer at the barn, please make sure that you wear closed-toed shoes. Boots are ideal, but not required. For the safety of the volunteer, flip flops and sandals should not be worn. For attire, we recommend comfortable clothing that allows you to move around easily. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. If the weather has been rainy around the time that you are volunteering, be prepared for muddy areas around the farm and plan accordingly. Helmets are required to be worn by all riders.
I'm sold, how do I volunteer?
Head on over to the "apply to volunteer" page and follow the steps there!
I have no relivent experience, can I still volunteer?
Yes! We will teach you everything you need to know to volunteer at GaitWay!
How does the schedule work?
Our lessons run on a semester based schedule. At the beginning of the semester, our riders are put on a schedule for lessons that fall on the same time, same day every week of the semester. We like for our volunteers to be on a similar schedule when possible.
Volunteer Levels
At GaitWay, we utilize a volunteer level system to organize our volunteers, their duties, and experience levels. New volunteers will be considered “in training” until attaining the first level. New levels are reached through a combination of attaining the required amount of volunteering hours and passing skills tests set for each level.
BACKGROUND CHECKS:
To insure the safety of our riders/clients and volunteers GaitWay reserves the right to perform a background check on all individuals 18 years of age and older.