Hello, my name is Betsey and I have been a volunteer at We Can Ride for three years now. My story began in 2015 when I brought my work team out to We Can Ride to volunteer. We heard a very moving story about a Mom who had her daughter in classes; one afternoon when they were walking back to their car, her daughter reached up and held her Mom’s hand for the first time ever!! I knew I was hooked then, but my schedule did not allow me to volunteer until 2017. I had been laid off from my job and I decided it was a good time to start volunteering. Like every volunteer, I started as a side walker (someone who walks on either side of the horse to make sure the rider sits still and to protect them) and found that I loved it! When classes were not in session, I started caring for the horses as a feeder. It was my time to be at one with these horses that are so gentle with their riders and give them the love and attention they so deserve in between getting that love and attention from the riders. Now I am a barn aid and I prep the horses for the riders to take their lessons. This is a great mix of working with the riders and working with the horses. I get to work with the animals for which I have such a passion, and I see first-hand how riders begin their time with We Can Ride and the immense joy that comes from their lessons. I witness how they become one with their horse, and how they progress and realize the physical and emotional benefits of riding.
What do I miss about not being at We Can Ride every Saturday? From the very basics, I miss the smell of the barn and the horses, I miss caring for the horses and putting my heart and soul into making sure the horses are ready for the riders so they can ride them safely. I miss seeing the excitement of the riders when they come for their lesson, and how they connect with their horses during lesson time, I miss seeing how gentle these horses are when they are “working” and I miss seeing how this program changes the riders lives for the better.
One final story: During a recent class, there was a rider that has a seizure disorder. While on the back of her horse, this rider seized, and this horse was smart enough to stop and stand still until the volunteers and teacher could get her safely off the horse. The horse was brought back to the barn and they asked me to keep it there so the rider could say goodbye after resting for a while. We moved the horse into a stall where he could poke his head out. After saying goodbye to the horse, the young rider walked over to me and gave me the biggest bear hug I have ever gotten. This completely and totally reinforced that the impact of my volunteer work is far greater than the simple joy I feel. Every time I think of this moment, my heart warms.
Please consider donating to this organization that is losing so much money by not being able to hold classes. Thank you in advance!!!