Nonprofit
Published 2/27/26 9:08PM

Horse Leader for therapeutic riding lessons

On-site, Volunteer must be in or near Rio Rancho, NM
I Want to Help


  • Details

    Start Date:
    February 27, 2026
    Available Times:
    Weekdays (daytime, evenings), Weekends (daytime)
    Commitment Details:
    2-3 hr/week
    Recurrence:
    Recurring
    Volunteers Needed:
    25
    Cause Areas:
    Animals, Disability, Veterans
    Good For:
    Teens, Public Groups, Age 55+
    Participation Requirements:
    Background Check, Attend Orientation
    Age Requirement:
    14+
    Other Requirements:
    Should be healthy: Able to walk a minimum of 30 minutes in the arena without a break. Should be free of shoulder, knee, and back injuries as these would impair your ability to help participant in case of emergency dismount

    Description

    Horse Leader for therapeutic riding lessons

    🐴💙 Volunteer Opportunity: Be Part of Life-Changing Moments at Loving Thunder 💙🐴

    At Loving Thunder Therapeutic Riding, you’ll help children and adults with developmental delays and disabilities experience the joy of learning to ride a horse.

    These incredible individuals face daily challenges — but when they’re in the saddle, you’ll see the biggest smiles, hear the happiest giggles, and watch confidence grow right before your eyes.

    Therapeutic riding helps riders:

    ✨ Build self-esteem and self-confidence

    💪 Increase muscle strength and balance

    🌟 Improve focus, coordination, and emotional well-being

    🐎 Horse Leader Volunteer

    As a Horse Leader, you partner directly with one of our gentle therapy horses to provide the safe, rhythmic movement and interaction that creates meaningful change in a rider’s life.

    This role requires some previous horse experience and sidewalker experience — but don’t worry, these skills can absolutely be learned at Loving Thunder. We provide thorough training to help you feel confident and prepared.

    🤝 Start as a Sidewalker — Grow Into Leadership

    If you don’t have horse experience, you can begin as a Sidewalker. Sidewalkers walk alongside the rider, offering physical and emotional support during lessons. We provide all necessary training to ensure you are safe and effective around both horses and riders.

    Once you have mastered your sidewalker skills, you may advance into the Horse Leader role. This creates a clear pathway for growth and deeper involvement in our program.

    There truly is a place for everyone who wants to serve.

    If you’re ready to be part of something meaningful and help create moments that change lives, we would love to connect with you.

    🔗 Learn more at: http://www.lovingthunder.org/volunteer/

    Come join the smiles, the strength, and the transformation. 💙

    Location

    On-site

    5707 Jackson Loop NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

    PO Box 15133, 5707 Jackson Loop, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, US
    5707 Jackson Loop

    Please fill out this form

    Instructions:

    🌟 Ready to Volunteer at Loving Thunder? Get Started Today! 🌟

    Making a difference is just a few clicks away!

    If you’re ready to serve our riders, support our horses, and be part of something truly meaningful, we’d love to have you join our volunteer team.

    Getting started is simple:

    1️⃣ Visit lovingthunder.org/volunteer

    2️⃣ Click on “How Can I Help”

    3️⃣ Select “Volunteer”

    4️⃣ Complete your application

    That’s it!

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