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As with any program, we have a few guidelines and safety regulations to be followed by all volunteers.
General Guidelines
Please park as far away from the lobby doors as you can, to reserve the spaces nearest the door for therapy students.
Smoking, drugs, or alcohol is not allowed anywhere at Alpha Equestrian Center during operating hours.
Please leave pets at home.
Cell phone use is not permitted during lesson time. Please set your mobile devices to silent without vibration, or turn them off.
Refrain from gum or candy while volunteering. Water is available, so stay well hydrated.
Only staff, trained volunteers, and riders are allowed in the barn and arena. All others must remain in the lobby or in viewing areas.
Please do not feed the horses without permission from designated staff.
All volunteers are asked to never be alone with a rider. Should you be asked to take a rider somewhere, make sure you are in a group situation at all times.
Volunteers should aid the rider only if needed or as directed by the instructor. This includes putting on helmets and belts, and during instruction times. If they are capable of accomplishing even a small part of a task, let them do it. For example, if they can get their helmet and put it on their head, but can't buckle it, let them do the parts they can do, and help only as needed. Teach and coach your rider to help them increase their skills, independence, and confidence.
Riders need to develop independence, but not at the expense of safety. Always assess the safety of a situation before making a decision. When in doubt, ask the instructor or another staff member. Always err on the side of caution!
Once your rider has arrived, always stay with them, unless instructed otherwise. During this time, please make sure they are wearing appropriate attire, including long pants, sturdy shoes, helmet, and belt if needed. You can also use this time to build trust and friendship with your rider. Please remain with your rider in the waiting area until the instructor calls for your rider.
During the lesson, please keep conversation very minimal so that the rider can listen to the instructor. Please limit unnecessary conversation with the rider during the lesson. If they attempt to engage with you in conversation, be polite, but direct their attention back to the instructor. Conversation with your rider is encouraged as you greet them before the lesson, as well as after the lesson. Be attentive to the instructor at all times as to maintain the highest standards of safety.
If you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns about any aspect of the program, or your assigned duties, please talk with the instructor or other Heaven's Gait staff. Please do not discuss concerns with other volunteers or riders.
Sidewalker Guidelines
Sidewalkers help the rider with balance and reinforce instructions in the lesson. If there are two sidewalkers, the inside sidewalker (the one closest to the center of the arena) or the person designated by the instructor will clarify instructions. Too many people talking to the rider can be confusing for them.
Different methods are used for different individual riders, depending on their needs. Always listen to the instructor for the type of assistance your rider requires. If you are unsure, please ask!
There are four basic methods of support:
Awareness Position, or Passive Position
Walk beside the rider's leg to assist when needed. Don't be too far behind the rider, or you won't be able to quickly adapt to a different needed support position. Note in the photo below, the sidwalker is too far behind the rider to be able to quickly apply a thigh hold.
Don't play with the horse. It distracts both the horse and rider, and poses a safety issue.
2. Thigh Hold
Place your arm closest to the rider, across the rider's thigh, and grasp the front edge of the saddle or saddle pad.
3. Belt Hold or Back Support
Hold the rider's safety belt to assist with balance. This is done while supporting the legs. It is important to keep your hold light and not apply pressure that might cause the rider to become unbalanced. The main idea is to have something to grasp other than clothing should the rider become suddenly unbalanced and at risk of a fall.
4. Ankle Block or Heel Hold
One hand is placed between the rider's ankle and the horse, as illustrated below. This is done to keep a rider from digging their heels into the horse's side, and is often combined with other holds -- for instance, the sidewalker could perform an ankle block with their right hand as shown, with a simultaneous thigh hold with their left hand.
Always ask the rider if it is okay to touch them.
Do not offer any more support than the rider needs.
Riders who need moderate support, especially support for the back, will need more attention. Be sure you are at ease with the method of support, both mentally and physically, before moving into the riding arena.
If a rider only has one sidewalker, ask the instructor which side to walk on. Usually it will be the right side, opposite the side of the leader, but if a rider has a specific weakness you may be needed on the left. Always ask the instructor if you are not sure.
Observe the rider with your front or side vision at all times. Never become so relaxed that you are not totally aware of the rider, horse, leader, instructor, and environment around you.
Be sure not to lean on the horse or rider since this pressure may unbalance the rider, or irritate the horse.
When the rider is using body and leg aids and does not need to be supported, do not touch the horse, saddle, or pad, since this may interfere with the aid applied by the rider.
You may need to reinforce the instructor's directions, assist the rider in carrying out instructions, or direct the rider's attention to the task.
Listen to the instructor's directions so you can be ready to reinforce when necessary -- but allow the rider plenty of time to process the information before you begin to assist. For example, if the instructor says, "Pull the right rein towards me", and the student seems confused, gently tap the right hand and say "right".
Talking to the rider during a lesson is not recommended because it interferes with the communication between the rider and instructor. Many riders with special needs have difficulty focusing on instruction, so all talking should be kept to a minimum. If they attempt to engage you in conversation, be polite, but direct their attention back to the instructor. Use your time before and after the lesson to socialize with your rider.
Refrain from talking to other sidewalkers or horse leaders during the lesson unless it has to do with the rider's position, balance, or horse. Be sure that you do not talk with other teams as they pass near you. Any unnecessary talking distracts the rider, shows disrespect for the instructor, and diverts the attention of the team, which can create an unsafe situation.
Ask the leader to stop if:
The rider is off balance and cannot regain it while the horse is moving
The saddle pad has slipped or the girth is loose
The stirrups need adjusting
The rider's helmet needs to be adjusted
The rider is fatigued, in pain, or needs to stop for other reasons
Your sidewalkers need to change sides, tie a shoelace, or are having some difficulty and cannot carry out their job in comfort and/or efficiency. When changing sides, have one volunteer change at a time. Never leave the rider unsupported.
Observe the correct position with which to lead a horse -- always lead on the left:
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