Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center seeking volunteers to help with horses

Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center’s mission is to improve the bodies, minds and spirits of children and adults with disabilities through the use of equine assisted therapy. 

The horse provides the challenged rider with a feeling of freedom and independence that might be limited in their everyday life. Equine program activities are used as a form of therapy to achieve physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication goals. Freedom Reins offers services weekly to those with disabilities beginning March 5th and ending November 20th, 2025. 

We are currently looking for volunteers who would like to help keep our horses moving and enjoying special attention while they wait for their riders to return in March. Our Winter Volunteer Program provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy a relaxed time with the horses and each other while grooming, horseplay, groundwork, or basic arena patterns. 

Horse experience is not required. Anyone wanting to learn more about horses and how they make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities is encouraged to join!

We’ll meet each Saturday morning through February, with the first session starting on January 11, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at our facility at 1077 N. Meridian Road in Jasper. You may join us for one session or several. We’re asking you to schedule each session you’d like to attend to enable us to better serve you. 

We’ll wrap up the end of February with specialized training focused on improving our riders’ experience and better ensuring their comfort and safety, including in-depth horse leader and side walker training and learning more about working with riders with disabilities.

Please contact Barb by calling or texting (574-780-1807) to get on the schedule or for any questions.  We’ll also consider offering Wednesday evening sessions given enough interest. Please indicate your preference. 

Freedom Reins could not help so many special people with challenges and disabilities without so many others willing to invest their time and talent to make it all possible! A patient attitude produces attention to detail.