Opportunities From: Equest

Volunteer Process

*Program Volunteer opportunities are available for those 14 and older.

* If you are age 12 or 13, you can work in the barn, but you must have a parent or guardian come work with you initially. It is not required, but it is encouraged that you attend training. Both you and your parent or guardian must complete applications and call to schedule a brief orientation and volunteer times. If you are 13 and very horse-experienced, you may be able to volunteer on your own as a Program Volunteer with a written letter of recommendation from your trainer or barn manager.

NOTE: Please park ONLY in the Equest parking areas - NOT the first lot closer to River Ranch. See map below. 

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5. No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Interactive vaulting is an activity in which participants work together to perform movements on and around the horse while it is stationary as well as in motion. Some work may be done on a vaulting barrel as well. Volunteers may participate at times in the activities with the clients and should be comfortable energetically walking or running during class. 

Arrive at 1:15pm and meet the instructor in the tack room for a "round table" about the day's lesson. Volunteers will work with the riders to prepare the horse and the arena for class, assist in class as directed, help take care of the horse and equipment after class, finish approx. 3:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 11:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Interactive vaulting is an activity in which participants work together to perform movements on and around the horse while it is stationary as well as in motion. Some work may be done on a vaulting barrel as well. Volunteers may participate at times in the activities with the clients and should be comfortable energetically walking or running during class. 

Arrive at 4:15pm and meet the instructor in the tack room for a "round table" about the day's lesson. Volunteers will work with the riders to prepare the horse and the arena for class, assist in class as directed, help take care of the horse and equipment after class, finish approx. 6:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Semi-Private class is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 2:45pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 4:45pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11-week commitment from September 18 through December 11. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.) 

Arrive at 11:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 1:15pm

Fall 2026 Semester

This is an 11 week commitment from September 18 through December 11. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 10:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 12:15pm

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is an 11 week commitment from September 18 through December 11. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 11:15am

Fall 2026 Fall Semester

This is a 10 week commitment September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make up class, if needed will be December 10.

Arrive at 8:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 10:15am.

Fall 2026 Fall Semester

This class includes a rider participating in our Hooves for Heroes program. It is a 10 week commitment September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make up class, if needed will be December 10.

Arrive at 8:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 10:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. There is no class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break). Make up class, if needed, will be December 10. 

Volunteers will arrive approximately 7:45am to groom and tack the horse, assist in class as directed, take care of the horse and tack afterwards, and finish approx. 9:45am.  

Fall 2026 Semester

This Carriage Driving class is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No Class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break). Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 2:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 4:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 1:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 3:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 11:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 1:15pm

Fall 2026 Semester

There are 2 classes scheduled at this time and include riders participating in our Hooves for Heroes program. Each class is a 10-week commitment from September 14 through November 30. No class November 2 (Fall Break) or November 23 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed will be December 7.

Arrive at 6:00pm to assist in class as directed by the instructor. Volunteers will help riders pull tack and groom horses, assist in the arena according to each rider's abilities and skills, and then help groom and untack, finish approx. 8:00pm.

Volunteers 18 years of age or older are preferred.

Volunteers for this class MUST be certified Blue Star or Gold Star leaders

Fall 2026 Semester

This Carriage Driving class is a 10-week commitment from September 14 through November 30. No Class November 2 (Fall Break) or November 23 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 7.

Arrive at 8:45am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 10:45am.

Fall 2026 Semester

There are 2 private classes scheduled for this time. Each class is a10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break). Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 11:15am

Fall 2026 Semester

The class includes riders participating in our Hooves for Heroes program.  It is a10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 10.

Arrive at 4:45pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 6:45pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Equine Assisted Learning class is an UNMOUNTED class, and volunteers will assist the instructor and clients in working with the horses. It is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1.  No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

If you are fluent in Spanish - Please consider joining this class!

Arrive at 4pm to assist in class as directed, finish approx. 5:00pm.

This is second of two leading-specific training opportunities for Equest Volunteers who have completed the initial program training.

Gold Star Leader Training builds upon the skills acquired in the Blue Star training and gives the attendees practice in leading our more challenging equine personalities. 

Prerequisite: Complete Blue Star Leader training.

Requirements: Attend practice trainings until leading skills are confirmed. Practice trainings are offered on Tuesdays (4pm to 5pm) and Saturdays (3pm to 4pm); the number of practices needed are dependent upon the trainee's comfort and skill level.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class may be a private or a semi-private class. It is a 10-week commitment from September 16 through December 2. No Class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed will be December 9.

Arrive at 3:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 5:15pm

Fall 2026 Semester

This Semi-Private class is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 8:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 10:15am

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 7:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 9:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class includes riders participating in our Hooves 4 Heroes program. It is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make class, if needed, will be on December 8

Interactive vaulting is an activity in which participants work together to perform movements on and around the horse while it is stationary as well as in motion. Some work may be done on a vaulting barrel as well. Volunteers may participate at times in the activities with the riders and should be comfortable energetically walking or running during class. 

Arrive at 8:30am to help prepare the horse and the arena for class, assist in class as directed, help take care of the horse and equipment after class, finish approx. 10:30am.

Volunteers 21 years of age or older are preferred.

Fall 2026 Spring Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No Class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 3:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 5:15pm.

This opportunity is for all the gardeners and landscaping lovers! If you want to help maintain our flower beds and/or help with tree trimming, lawn/pasture mowing, and other landscaping tasks, this is the perfect choice for you.

Outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather, work gloves, and footwear appropriate for the environment (eg., work boots for lawn mowing, sneakers for the flower beds.) Bring your sunscreen, bug repellant, and water bottle. 

Seasoned volunteers who help with volunteer training can record hours under this opportunity. This includes scheduled volunteer training events as well as individually scheduled make-up trainings.

Special events include fund raising events, our Annul Gala, the WAUX luncheon, and any other community focused event. 

Volunteers help with riders/clients and horses at a variety of competitions both on-site at Equest and off-site at regional and national locations. This includes (but is not limited to) Chisholm Challenge, Special Olympics Equestrian Games, and the Annual Spring Horse Show. 

Individually scheduled help with office tasks such as data entry, mailings, filing, etc.

This includes randomly scheduled program-related activities that are not classes.

This is the first of two leading-specific training opportunities for Equest Volunteers who have completed the initial Volunteer Training. You must be a certified Blue Star Leader before attending the Gold Star Leader Training.

Blue Star Leader Training introduces you to the skills needed to lead our horses successfully in lessons. The introductory training is approximately 2 hours, and the follow up practice sessions are approximately 1 hour each. Blue Star leading skills include leading the horse at the walk and trot, standing square, leading through the mounting block, emergency situations, etc.

Prerequisite: Complete the initial volunteer training 

Requirements: Attend the introductory leader training which is the first date on the schedule. Then attend 3 to 4 of the scheduled practice trainings to confirm your skills. Practice trainings are offered on Tuesdays (4pm to 5pm) and Saturdays (3pm to 4pm.)

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5. No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 1:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 3:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

There are 2 group classes scheduled for this time. Each class is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 11:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 1:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 1 2.

Arrive at 10:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 12:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 11:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 11:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up classes, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 8:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 10:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Group class is a 10 week commitment from September 19 through December 5.  No class November 7 (Fall Break) or November 28 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 12.

Arrive at 7:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 9:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Semi-Private class is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 3:45pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 5:45pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Semi-Private class is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 12:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 2:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Semi-Private class is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 11:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx.1:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break). Make-up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 10:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx12:15pm.

This is a 10 week commitment from September 18 through December 4. No class November 6 (Fall Break) or November 27 (Thanksgiving Break.)  Make up class, if needed, will be December 11.

Arrive at 8:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 10:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Semi-Private class is a 10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 10.

Arrive at 6:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. :15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

Two classes are scheduled for this time, and each is a 10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up classes, if needed, will be December 10.

There will be one group class, and one private Equine Assisted Learning class.  The private EAL class will be an unmounted class in the arena.  If you have a preference, please email Ellie at egrant@equest.org.

For both the group and the private class, arrive at 5:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 7:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is a 10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 10.

Arrive at 4:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 6:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 10.

Arrive at 10:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 12:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10 week commitment from September 17 through December 3. No class November 5 (Fall Break) or November 26 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if necessary, will be December 10.

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 11:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This youth outreach class partners with the Dallas Police Department. Equest volunteers work with the kids to groom and tack their horses, assist as directed in class and help the kids take care of their horses and tack afterwards. This is a10 week commitment from September 16 through December 2. No class November 4 (Fall Break) of November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 9.

Arrive at 5:30pm to assist in class as directed, help groom and tack/untack, finish approx. 7:30pm.

Blue Star and Gold Star Leaders especially needed!!

Fall 2026 Semester

This Carriage Driving class is an 10-week commitment from September 16 through December 2, No Class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 9.

Arrive at 2:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 4:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No Class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 2:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 4:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No Class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 1:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 3:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No Class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.)         

Arrive at 11:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 1:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 10:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 12:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is a 10 week commitment from September 16 through December 2. No class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 9.

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 11:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.)

Arrive at 9:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 11:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This PT/OT class is an 11 week commitment from September 16 through December 9. No class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break).

Arrive at 8:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 10:15am.

Fall 2026 Semester

This class is a 10-week commitment from September 16 through December 2. No class November 4 (Fall Break) or November 25 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 2.

Arrive at 7:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 9:15am. 

Fall 2026 Semester

This Group class is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1.  No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break). Make-up class, if needed, will be December 1.

Arrive at 6:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 8:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

There are 2 group classes of different skill levels scheduled at this time. Each class is a10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 5:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 7:15pm.

Fall 2026 Semester

This Group class is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 4:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 6:15pm

Fall 2026 Semester

This is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 10:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 12:15pm

This class features riders participating through our Hooves 4 Heroes program. It is a 10-week commitment from September 14 through November 30. No class November 2 (Fall Break) or November 23 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 7.

Arrive at 11:15am to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack, finish approx. 1:15pm.

Blue Star or Gold Star Leaders are needed for this class

Fall 2026 Semester

This Carriage Driving class is a 10-week commitment from September 15 through December 1. No class November 3 (Fall Break) or November 24 (Thanksgiving Break.) Make-up class, if needed, will be December 8.

Arrive at 12:15pm to groom and tack, assist in class as directed, help groom and untack and finish approx. 2:15pm

Barn help involves maintaining the cleanliness, orderliness, and function of the barn as well as individual horse stalls, paddocks, and arenas.

Activities include mucking stalls, cleaning water buckets, feeding and haying the therapy horse herd, sweeping the barn aisles, cleaning out the cross ties and wash stalls, turning out and bringing in the horses from paddocks, and assisting the facilities manager with subsequent projects or tasks.

This role is perfect for those with varying schedules, or prefer taking care of the horses.

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Barn helpers are needed seven days a week, especially on holidays. Each day, barn work begins at 7am, and continues until the lunch break at noon. Work continues at 1pm and ends around 3pm, depending on what needs to be finished. Come help in the morning or all day!

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Barn helpers do not need to schedule work hours, but are welcome to help when their schedule permits.