Typical day
- Helping with ranch chores and horses. Most of the daily chores such as feeding and mucking are done by staff, but you may be asked to grab a pitch fork and pitch in. They also have chickens, cows, and gardens that always need attention. You may be asked to gather eggs, pick veggies, or ride out to check the cows.
- Loading and unloading equipment and tack in the trailer before and after rides. Cleaning tack and horses after rides.
- Grooming horses and helping tack before rides or training.
- Lots of riding! You will either be riding with clients, going on training rides with wranglers, or exercising ranch horses.
- Helping with meals. If you like to cook, help is always needed in the kitchen. Not an aspiring chef? You can help set the table and clear dishes after meals.
- Other activities may include visiting the horse rescues and going with clients on tourism days to Santa Fe and Madrid.
Expectations
The role of a volunteer is to assist with the riding, care, and preparation of horses and clients. Enchantment Equitreks are a small, family operation and they want this to be a great experience for all involved. They hope that you feel like you’re staying with friends so it is important for you to be aware of their expectations.
Experience
This program is open to riders no younger than 15 years old. Enchantment Equitreks asks their volunteers to have some horseback riding experience at a novice level. A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
Working environment
Enchantment Equitreks understands that there are many different training methods out there. They do not prescribe to any one method. They have developed a program that works for their horses and trainers. They ask all volunteers to be open to their program, be willing to follow directions when working with horses, and be respectful to trainers, wranglers, staff, and clients. If at any time they feel like a volunteer has placed a horse or another person in a dangerous situation, Enchantment Equitreks will ask them to leave with no refunds.
Punctuality
When dealing with the welfare of animals, there are certain tasks that must be done at certain times. Failure to do this not only holds up staff and other volunteers, but it also affects the experience of the client and the amount of time you can spend in the saddle having fun. In the summer, you will ride very early in order to beat the heat of the day, which means some mornings will start as early as 5 a.m.
Alcohol and drug policy
Enchantment Equitreks are well aware that everyone likes to have a good time and will happily join in with volunteers for a drink after work. On the other hand, they will not accept regular drunkenness and operate a zero tolerance policy on drug use and under age drinking. Enchantment Equitreks are also a smoking free facility.
