Volunteer Training
Dates: Saturday, January 20th OR January 27th, 2024

Make-up* training is for volunteers who missed regularly scheduled training

AND plan to sign up for a 10 - 11 week commitment. If you're interested in volunteering in our weekly classes, you're in the right place! Please complete steps 1 - 4. All incoming Program Volunteers are required to attend one volunteer training session.

No prior horse experience? No problem! We'll teach you everything you need to know!

Before each session, all volunteers must complete and submit pages 2 & 3 of the Registration Form. If you are not a sidewalker or leader, and are helping in the barn, office, or other projects, only complete the top of the form. Please send completed forms to egrant@equest.org

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES

Program Training for new volunteers to help in classes is held one to three weeks prior to the start of each session (Fall, Spring, and Summer).

(At this time, sign up to help in the barn. The next training sessions for helping in classes are January 20th and 27th. Registration opens in December.)

Barn help: Training is "on the job". When your paperwork and background check are approved, you may volunteer in the barn before you attend New Volunteer training. Submit an online application and pay the background check fee and someone will be in touch with you in 5 - 7 business days.

Parking: Please park only in the parking spaces closest to Building 4 or in the parking spaces past the upper-level lot that overlooks the Equest

Ol Red arena and barn.

See map below ("E" = Equest building and yellow = Equest parking).

Weather: Volunteer training happens rain or shine since we have a covered arena. If we do have to cancel training, we will notify you via email and social media. We recommend that you check our website and social media prior to training to verify that we are still on.

Volunteer Guidelines:

Minimum age:

Help in classes: You must be 14 or older to volunteer to help in classes.
Barn helper: If you are 12 or 13, you can work in the barn, but you must have a parent or guardian volunteer with you at first. It is not required, but it is encouraged that you attend training.
Both you and your parent or guardian must complete applications. 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 in classes with a written letter of recommendation from your trainer or barn manager.

Background check: A background check is required for all adult volunteer applicants (anyone 18 or older), unless you are in the current Junior League of Dallas community project. Scholarships for the fee are available based on need.

Dress code: Please review the dress code in the Volunteer Handbook. Closed-toe shoes (no crocs or slides) and modest dress is required. Be cognizant of the weather and dress appropriately.

Email: Our primary form of communication is email and social media. If a month goes by and you do not receive a volunteer-specific email from us, please notify us to ensure that you are on the correct email list.

Please note that volunteering in class is a physical task. Know your physical activity limits and take care of yourself

- especially in the summer.

Complete the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION and Pages 2 & 3 of the REGISTRATION FORM. Forms are available online, or can be printed and scanned or mailed to Ellie Grant.

Before training -

1.) COMPLETE FORMS

Online Application

Print Application

Registration Form

2). Read Covid19 Protocols; sign and submit a COVID WAIVER

Review the COVID PROTOCOLS for Volunteers and sign and submit the COVID WAIVER form. (Email the form to Ellie Grant at egrant@equest.org.)

2). PAY BACKGROUND CHECK FEE

There is a $10 fee for each incoming adult volunteer; due prior to training.

Pay Fee