Volunteers are the soul of HART. We are dependent upon and very grateful to our volunteers who generously give of their time. We cannot function without volunteers helping every single day. Our volunteers are united by their passion for horses.
Are you looking to make new friends? Give back to your community? Missing that barn smell? If you love horses, want to learn more about horses or want to share your experience and knowledge, volunteering at HART may be what you have been looking for.
Volunteer Opportunities:
We offer numerous opportunities for dedicated people who want to make a difference in their community and in the lives of others, both equine and human:
Volunteers at the Farm
Volunteers support the HART mission by performing chores around the barn, helping to care for the horses and maintaining the facility.
Help is needed and appreciated at all skill levels. You may start off filling water troughs and cleaning stalls, but you can advance to feeding, leading, grooming, assisting instructors, and more! Our goal is to finish the chores in time to spend quality time with the horses, preparing them for their forever homes.
Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age, physically able to do light lifting and walk on uneven sand/dirt surfaces, able to be outdoors (usually in the sun and heat) for several hours, and willing to get dirty. Some of it is hard work, but it is cheaper than the gym and you will sleep better knowing you made a difference!
Children ages 10 to 12 are also welcome to volunteer provided a guardian volunteers with them.
Volunteers at Special Events
Not physically able to help at the barn but still want to help the horses? Don’t have time to commit to a regular volunteer schedule? HART participates in many local community events and fundraising activities. Whether we just have an information table, sell items and/or raffle tickets, bring the ponies for a meet and greet, or host a big event, we need your help.
Volunteers with Special Skills
Are you great with social media? Graphic design? Website management? Grant writing? Organization? Carpentry? Electrical or plumbing? Landscaping? We need help in all of those areas as well.
Group Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome the opportunity to work with local businesses to plan an employee volunteer day. Whether it is facilities and ground maintenance, painting, clearing pastures, cleaning tack, or organizing, your group can make a big difference in the quality of life for our horses and people in our community!
Please contact us for more information on how your organization can help: volunteer@hartforhorses.org
HOW CAN YOU BECOME A HART VOLUNTEER?
1. Complete the online application by clicking the link below.
2. Attend a volunteer orientation held at the HART farm. Once approved, attend the mandatory training class, usually held on Saturdays. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, bring lunch and plenty of fluids to stay hydrated! RSVP to volunteer@hartforhorses.org
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER TRAINING EVENTS
HART New Volunteer Orientation
Saturday, April 17, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Volunteer Orientation is the first step to volunteering with HART. This class will give an overview of our organization, what volunteering with HART will entail, and a tour of HART. Questions? Contact Paula Craine at paula.craine@hartforhorses.org .
HART New Volunteer Training
Saturday, April 17, 2021
11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This training is for those who have attended the New Volunteer Orientation and are ready to volunteer. Please wear weather appropriate clothing (rain or shine), closed-toed shoes, and bring a bag lunch. We will be cleaning stalls, handling horses, and learning about horsemanship and safety while at HART. Questions? Contact Paula Craine at paula.craine@hartforhorses.org .
Please join Team HART! Our wonderful rescue horses will thank you!!!
Volunteer Testimonials
“Dealing with a chronic illness has encouraged me to start checking things off my bucket list. A big item on my list is to make horses a part of my life. Here at HART, I’m getting horses in my life and I’m getting a good education by compassionate, patient, non-judgemental, smart people.” Lori S.
I always loved horses but never had an opportunity to spend much time with them for most of my life. I had a chance to go on a trail ride and was told the horse was safe and no problem and just perfect for me back in 2010. Well, I went, fell off and had a near death experience. I vowed to never get back on a horse again and became deathly afraid of them. Two years later I moved to a home that has a backyard facing HART. I kept seeing eyes peering at me while I was in the yard. Finally, I made it over to the farm (two years later) and met Suzee and I saw those amazing horses. I fell in love. At first I did stalls only, no horse interaction, then I started to do more and more with the horses as my confidence built. I dreamt of riding but told myself I was too old, it was just not to be. Fortunately, I was wrong, I began to ride. I met a beautiful woman that allowed me to love her horse and ride him and now I will be going on my first trail ride this week. I met some amazing teachers that helped me regain my confidence around horses. The more I learn the more I can give back to these beautiful beings. I have learned to be in the moment, to pay attention to everything around me, to appreciate the power of love and to honor beings I don’t understand. I have also learned to replace fear with love and understanding. I am grateful to HART and my many friends I have met there. Nancy B.
Our family initially started volunteering at HART so my kids could give back to the community over the summer and gain new skills/responsibility. Little did I know that one decision would change the trajectory of our lives thereafter. Volunteering at HART has opened up my eyes to the real fate of some retired off-the-track-thoroughbreds. I’ve seen the volunteers and staff at HART spend hours, days, weeks and months working to rehabilitate these horses so they can be healthy enough to go on to a loving and nurturing forever home. The experience volunteering has provided is priceless, it’s not easy, but there is no value that one can place on the people you will meet and the horses you will help. Angela N.
Our family found HART through the homeschooling community. My son needed volunteer hours for Bright Futures but I was looking more for an activity he & I could do together to build our bond after a difficult teen year. Suzee made a huge impression on me saying, “Sometimes it is us who need the rescuing.” She couldn’t have been more right. My son left after he received his hours but I couldn’t say good-bye. I learned to photograph the rescues and work all parts of the barn. My husband even volunteered to do some repairs on fences. I can’t imagine not being here every week to see all my friends (furry and non-furry). We have a strong community bond of love, support and trust with a common purpose of saving at-risk horses. The people here are dedicated and loving, and they follow the lead of the biggest HeART, Suzee. Thank you for investing in me so that I could then help support HART. – Robin C
I was new to Florida when I started volunteering at HART. What a great way to get involved in our community and make real friends! What a dedicated team of talented and hard working volunteers improving the lives of so many horses! I am grateful for the opportunity to use my talents and experience to help HART continue to grow. With a leader like Suzee, the sky is the limit! When I go to bed at night I sleep better knowing I have made a little difference in this magnificent world. Thank you, Team HART, for helping me find home! Donna M.
I am originally from CT and had my own horse for nine years. Unfortunately due to a medical problem I had to sell him. I never thought I would be involved with horses again. We moved to Florida two years ago, and that’s when I found HART. I can’t tell you how excited I was to be working with horse’s again. HART has given me my dream back. The Rescues have no idea what it is to be loved, regular meals, and to see the end result’s of them doing jumping, dressage and pleasure horses is amazing. Cheryl C.
Though I am a newbie volunteer at Hart I am already invested in spending as much of my time there as I can. I worked with horses before I moved to Florida and I haven’t felt truly comfortable here until I started coming to Hart. Not only do I feel at home with the smells, sounds and familiar work but I have met some amazing and friendly people who have some of the biggest hearts. The horses quickly capture your heart and the atmosphere that surrounds Hart is so welcoming and caring that anyone who comes there can be sure to feel it too. Samantha G.
HART team is a wonderful group of all amazing people who take on horses that have had a hard time and give them a chance in this world. They give opportunities to learn about horses, and to be involved in a wonderful group of people and a relaxing environment for both people and horses. Team HART gives these horses a voice to stand up against horse mistreatment and gives them a second chance to be something great, as a companion, to a great champion. Regardless being apart of HART is a great opportunity and experience to be taken in by wonderful people who dedicate their time for a great cause! Love HART, thanks so much for all the love and effort put into this great rescue! Jess W.
