Volunteering
For more information on any of these volunteer activities, contact mini volunteer.
All volunteers must attend a 2-hour Volunteer/Horse Training Clinic at the Ranch before handling the minis. This is a mandatory requirement.
Events
Event Escort
- Escort the Hearts during events.
- Must speak clearly and be able to interact with those we are visiting.
- Keep the situation safe and beneficial; watch for signs of mini-horse discomfort.
- Follow instructions and safety procedures as discussed during training.
- Volunteers ages 8-14 must be able to walk for 1 to 1-1/2 hours for duration of our visit
- Please also read our Event Escort Instructions on Volunteer Guidelines.
Handlers for Town Lake Exercise Day, Tuesdays at 9 AM
- All volunteers must have gone through a Volunteer Training Clinic.
- We power-walk 4.5 miles, beginning at the culvert by Austin High School. We have a regular walk that is 1/2 the distance; the power walk is the full 4.5 miles.
- Power Walking is held on Tuesdays at 9:15-9:30am, and last approximately 3 hours.
- Requires the ability to go up and down stairs, and enough strength to hold onto a lead in the case of the horse spooking and bolting (although this has never happened).
- Horse walk is subject to cancellation if temperature exceeds 95 degrees or is rained out.
- All Handlers must attend the Volunteer/Horse Clinic held monthly before walking the minis.
Projects
Like any other good Texas ranch, the Hearts & Hooves ranch is in constant need of regular maintenance as well as improvements in order to continue to provide a comfortable and safe environment for the minis, who bring such comfort to so many.
These projects provide an excellent opportunity for a teambuilding or group activity that yields measurable and rewarding results. Please visit our Volunteer Project page for more details.
One-Time Opportunities
If you would like to volunteer for any of the opportunities below, please send an e-mail to mini volunteer. These are jobs that are done at the main ranch and need to be scheduled through the ranch.
If you would like to volunteer more than one time, please fill out a volunteer application. Once we receive your application, instructions for volunteering and information about the mandatory volunteer/training clinic will be sent.
- Mowing the fields at the ranch
- Organization
- Cleaning and washing down the floors of the grooming area
- Organizing the grooming area
- Grooming and washing minis before events (urgent need)
- Picking up feed or hay
- Pull the mini-trailer to our visits and events
- Making copies of push cards and flyers
- Burn and label CDs
- Ranch hand
- Plumber, construction, electrician
Virtual Opportunities
See our volunteer opportunities listed on the Volunteer Match website.
- Fundraising Committee
- Public Relations/Collateral Committee
- Community Relations
- Grant Writing
- Marketing
- Ranch and Vehicle Maintenance
- Auditor