Exciting Volunteer Opportunities with Prairie Strides 

Ready to make a positive impact? Join our Prairie Strides family and help bring joy to the lives of children in Manitoba. Since 1977, we've been running an adaptive horseback riding program for kids aged 5 to 15 with disabilities. As a volunteer-powered organization, we need your generosity and energy to keep the program going. Whether you're a horse whisperer or eager to lend a hand, there's a role for you!

Volunteers are needed for each of our twelve-week sessions – Fall 2025 (September-November)and Spring 2026 (March-June). If you can walk and jog in short spurts for about 60 minutes in our indoor sand arena, and are 16 or older, you can be a leader or sidewalker. We also have limited opportunities for 14-15 year old with horse experience.

The best part? You'll make a real difference in these kid's lives. Join us in spreading joy, building friendships, and creating unforgettable memories. Sign up today and lets create unforgettable moments together!

Proper clothing and foot attire to be worn around horses: 

• Long pants: Jeans, sweatpants or leggings
• Footwear: Mandatory closed-toe, supportive boots
• Well-fitted gloves

 

Our Fall 2025 Session Dates are as follows:

Volunteer Orientation: Monday, August 25th, 2025 (Zoom)

Leader/Sidewalker Training: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025

Dry Run night: Monday, September 8th, 2025 and Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

Monday night classes will run from September 15th through November 24th, 2025

Wednesday night classes will run from September 17th through November 26th, 2025

There will be no class on Monday, October 13th, 2025 and Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

To be considered for a volunteer position, the following items must be completed:

1. Completed Volunteer Application

2. Signed Confidentiality and Photo Consent Agreement

3. Signed West Wind Stables Acceptance of Risk

4. Completed and Cleared Child Abuse Registry Check

Two pieces of I.D. are required to complete a Child Abuse Registry Check (i.e. Driver's License, Social Insurance Number, Health Card, etc.). There is no cost to you. If you have already filled one out with a previous organization, Prairie Strides still requires you to fill out a form with us.

The application for Child Abuse Registry Check will be emailed to you after the completion of this online form, and will need to be sent back to us with your ID so we can verify this.

Volunteer Position Descriptions:

Leader: Should have horse experience. The leaders have direct contact with the horses. They are responsible for Grooming, Tacking up, Leading, and controlling the horse to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for the rider. Leaders are required to arrive at least 25 minutes before class. Walking in the sand for one hour and short bursts of jogging.

Sidewalker: Have direct contact with the riders. They are responsible for giving a rider the appropriate support, both physical and in the form of encouragement, to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and positive experience. You must be able to have your arm at shoulder height for a period of time during class without discomfort and walk in the sand for 1 hour with short bursts of jogging. * Must be Minimum 16 Years old

Arena Help: Assist with playing games, arena set up and tear down. *Limited spaces available

Barn Help/Staging Room: Assist in getting horses ready for the riders (Grooming/Tacking up) *Must be minimum 15 years old, Limited spaces available

Therapist (Occupational or Physiotherapists): For our program nights, we are looking for Therapists to assist the riders in getting ready for their rides and stretching.

Program Instructor: For our program we welcome Certified Instructors to come and participate in our Program. There are pre-requisites required to participate in this capacity. We will reach out with more details.

Event/Fundraising Support: We have a variety of fundraising events throughout the year which require volunteer assistance. Would you be interested in being contacted?

Volunteers who are leading or sidewalking need to be physically able to walk/jog in sand for approximately 60 minutes (with some stops along the way) in an indoor or outdoor arena.

Our program runs on two separate evenings. 

Monday and Wednesday evenings ee host 3 Group riding sessions, between the hours of 5:30-8:30pm. Each Rider requires a Horse leader, and 2 Sidewalkers.

In addition, on Wednesday evenings we offer a Horse Activities program.  The horse activities program is 30 minute sessions with each rider, helping them in the barn, grooming, and learning more about the horses. We offer sessions between 5:30-8:30pm.

In the questions below, please indicate your preference for volunteer time and day.

Volunteer Agreement with Prairie Strides Inc.

ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL & ONLY USED BY PRAIRIE STRIDES

Volunteer Agreement with Prairie Strides Inc.

I understand that as a volunteer with Prairie Strides Inc., I may learn certain information about the riders, and it's crucial to keep this information confidential. Any details shared with me by a parent, instructor, therapist, board member, or rider regarding a participant should only be discussed with Prairie Strides Inc. staff. I agree not to share any rider information with other parents or any third parties. I acknowledge that all documents related to the rider are confidential.

I also give Prairie Strides Inc. permission to take photos or videos of me for promotional purposes. These images may be used in various mediums such as newspapers, websites, TV, social media, brochures, pamphlets, instructional materials, books, and clinical material.

By participating in Prairie Strides Inc. programs and working with horses at West Wind Stables, I waive any liability for personal injury, death, or loss of personal property that may occur while on the premises. 

 I understand that Prairie Strides Inc. has my authorization to provide necessary medical assistance in case of an emergency.