Welcome to Henry’s Home! We are thrilled that you’ve chosen to join us in building meaningful connections with our horses while contributing to their care and well-being. This agreement outlines our philosophy, expectations, and the commitments we ask of every volunteer to ensure our sanctuary's safety, harmony, and success. Before beginning your volunteer work, please review the principles below and sign at the end to acknowledge your understanding and dedication to our shared mission.
Our Philosophy: Treating Horses as Partners
At Henry’s Home, we believe horses are sentient beings, not livestock, and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness. They are our partners in creating a sanctuary that nurtures personal and mutual growth. We aim to build trust, understanding, and connection in every interaction, focusing on partnership over dominance.
The Unique Needs of Horses
Working with horses requires understanding their instincts as prey animals and meeting their fundamental needs for them to thrive.
- Safety and Comfort: Horses need safe and consistent environments to feel secure. Without this, they rely on their survival instincts to flee or seek peace elsewhere.
- Food and Play: After safety and comfort are established, proper nutrition and opportunities for exercise are essential for a horse’s physical and emotional well-being. Playful interactions and movement are as important as food for a healthy, happy horse.
Meeting these needs allows horses to trust and engage, creating the foundation for partnership and growth.
Meeting these needs allows horses to trust and engage, creating the foundation for partnership and growth.
The Journey of Rescued Horses
Rescue work demands patience, compassion, and persistence. At Henry’s Home, we often work with horses who have endured neglect, abuse, or abandonment. While these horses can bring unique challenges, their stories of resilience are deeply rewarding.
- The Advantages: Rescued horses often form profound bonds with humans, especially those who have experienced trauma themselves. Their ability to heal and inspire is unparalleled.
- The Challenges: Some horses arrive with emotional or physical scars that take time and effort to heal. Their behaviors may reflect their past, making consistency and understanding critical to their growth.
These horses can grow into incredible partners and companions with your support and care.
Natural Horsemanship Principles
We practice natural horsemanship, a compassionate and intuitive approach to working with horses that honors their instincts and encourages collaboration.
- Pressure and Release: This method uses light pressure to guide horses toward desired behaviors, releasing pressure at the right moments to build understanding and trust. Timing is key to effective communication.
- Patience: Horses process information at their own pace. Rushing them creates confusion and undermines trust.
- Presence: Horses are highly perceptive and respond to the emotions and energy of their handlers. Remaining calm, focused, and assertive fosters stronger connections.
- No Abuse Policy: Verbal, physical, or psychological abuse is never tolerated. Respect for our horses is at the heart of everything we do.
With time, patience, and a willingness to learn, you’ll discover the profound bond natural horsemanship facilitates between humans and horses.
Volunteer Expectations
Volunteering at Henry’s Home is about more than just lending a hand. It’s about embodying our philosophy, adhering to safety protocols, and fostering trust and respect in every interaction. By joining us, you commit to the following principles:
- Commitment to Learning: I pledge to continue learning and practicing natural horsemanship to provide consistent and safe care for the horses.
- Adherence to Safety Protocols: I will follow Henry’s Home’s protocols to ensure my safety, that of others, and that of the horses.
- Respectful and Consistent Communication: I will engage with the horses patiently, with calm and clear communication, and allow them time to process requests.
- Mindfulness and Presence: I will remain present and aware while working with the horses, recognizing the importance of focus in their environment.
Reporting Mistreatment: I will immediately report any abuse or mistreatment of horses or volunteers to Henry’s Home staff.
- Ongoing Education: I commit to attending educational programs to grow my horsemanship skills, knowing this knowledge continually evolves.