Volunteer Program

VOLUNTEER AT COUGAR MOUNTAIN STABLES & THE RED BARN EQUINE RESCUE

Volunteers offer invaluable support at Cougar Mountain Stables. They care for the horses and petting zoo animals, interact with visitors and staff, work independently and in groups year round. Volunteers learn, serve a vital role in horse rehabilitation, help with education and outreach activities, and have fun!

Why volunteer at Cougar Mountain Stables Horse Rescue?

• To help horses in need.

• To help make a difference.

• To enjoy the companionship of others.

• To meet others who share similar interests.

• To expand your knowledge of horses and horse care.

• To enhance your skills and build your resume.

• To earn community service hours needed for graduation.

• To be a leader working to prevent neglect and abuse of horses within your community.

• Because you love animals.

• Because you have free time.

• Because you have knowledge and talents to share.

• Because you want to teach your children the value of giving.

Plus!

• You get invited to volunteer celebrations.

• You get to attend clinics in horse handling, care, health, etc. (Clinics are offered discounted to volunteers with a minimum number of service hours.)

Volunteer time at CMS can be used to satisfy student service learning hours required for high school graduation. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, unless accompanied by a parent. Parents of youths under the age of 12 must work alongside their child and supervise them.

No horse experience is required.
Volunteer Orientation is required prior to volunteering.
Pre-registration for orientation is required.
Our hours of operation daily are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We require a minimum commitment of three (3) hours per visit.

We hope you will join us in helping abused and neglected horses start their second chance at life!

How do I get started volunteering?

All volunteers are required to participate in the orientation process prior to volunteering. The orientation process consists of attending a Welcome to CMS session and then hands-on training in specific volunteer interest areas.

Welcome to CMS sessions are held from 10-11am on a Saturday every month at our farm. Youths under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one of their parents/legal guardians.

Once through the orientation process, children ages 5-11 may volunteer if a parent/legal guardian volunteers by their side and provides supervision at all times.

Welcome to CMS Sessions Include:

• History, mission and purpose of Cougar Mountain Stables
• Overview of programs and ways to get involved
• Overview of volunteer opportunities
• Tour of Cougar Mountain Stables Horse Rescue

To register for a Welcome to CMS session, email cougarmountainstables@gmail.com. You will need to complete our Volunteer Application before a scheduled Welcome to CMS session. After the session, the Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to schedule your hands-on training in specific volunteer interest areas.

It is important that you schedule your first day so that we may have a volunteer mentor or staff member available to help you begin your experience.

On your first day of hands-on training, you will need to bring the completed Participant Release form. Youths under the age of 18 will need a parent's signature on the form as well as their own to begin volunteering.

Here are the ways you can help as a volunteer:
 

Equine CareFacility and Grounds MaintenanceSpecial Events

GroomingBuilding maintenanceEvent Planning

FeedingLawn CareFundraising

WateringFence RepairMarketing and Promotion

Turn outManure hauling and/or spreadingPublicity

Cleaning water bucketsPlanting 

Mucking stalls and paddocksBuilding additional pens or paddocks 

Preparing food for the next shiftElectrical 

General clean upPainting 

Giving out treatsSweeping 

TrainingRemoving cob web 

Walking the horsesOperating equipment 

 

Click here to fill out our Volunteer Application!

 

Current volunteers click here for our schedule: Volunteer Opportunities