Volunteer Guidelines
Additional Reading
Please visit Suggested Reading for Volunteers and Affiliates for great related books. Buy from Amazon.com through our website, and Hearts & Hooves will receive a portion of the purchase price.
Basic Guidelines
- Children under 14 must, at all times, be accompanied by an adult. Please denote children who will be attending events on your Volunteer Form.
- Horse escorts must be ages 8 and above. Adults who have signed up to be an escort at an event should not bring children under 8 due to liability and Hearts & Hooves Policy.
- Please refrain from bringing unexpected guests. We appreciate and need your donation of time and compassion, but extra “helpers” may overwhelm some visitation sites.
Event Escort Instructions
The following are helpful instructions for event escorts.
- Don't bring treats for the horses that are working. It distracts them from their work and they may get “nippy”. Sometimes staff will bring out carrots, apples, etc. and if they do thank them and let everyone feed treats, but watch for any “nippiness” that may occur.
- When Veronique arrives at the facility and the horses are unloaded, they all need to be tied up to a tree or post so they can go to the bathroom before going inside.
- While the horses are “pottying”, Veronique’s van and/or trailer needs to be cleaned out. Use a plastic grocery bag to pick up manure. I have started keeping disposable gloves and bags with me. The gloves just make it easier and quicker.
- Check the horses to see if any need brushed and combed. Veronique has grooming supplies in the van. Also, make sure their hair is free of dirt and debris.
- When you are inside:
- Keep an eye on their tails. If they need to go to the bathroom, they will begin raising their tail slightly to let us know that it’s time to get outside. Place your hand on top of their tail and tell them you understand and are hurrying as fast as possible. Also they may begin to seem restless and try to go to an outside door. Listen to them, they’re nearly always right!
- When you take a horse outside to potty, tie them to a tree or post and walk a short distance away from them. As long as they are being held, they believe they are still working.
- Watch for any excessive “mouthing”. Most of them are still teething and may want to chew, sometimes on fingers, sometimes on furniture, artificial plants, etc.
- At times a horse will pick certain people or walk to someone’s room without being directed. Go with it. They sense what’s needed far better than we.
- If you’re going into individual rooms always check the door to see if there are any special instructions.
- Ask residents if they would care to brush or comb the horse, if you have supplies with you. Assist if needed.
- Chat with residents, answer questions, enjoy their company.
- After the visit, you may want to help Veronique load everyone into the van and/or trailer.
- Most importantly: Relax, have fun, and enjoy this wonderful experience!