Did you know? We train volunteers to lead horses in our hippotherapy and adaptive riding lessons! Whether you’re brand new to horses or have years of experience, we’ll teach you everything you need to know—The Shea Way.

If you’re just starting, don’t worry! Your first step is learning to pull tack in one of our Halter, Tack, and Groom classes. These 45-minute sessions are offered four times a month and are a great introduction to handling our horses. Once you’ve completed this step, we encourage you to visit the barn before your sidewalking shifts to practice.

When you’re comfortable, sign up for a Bridling class. These small, two-person sessions last 45 minutes, giving you plenty of hands-on experience and time to ask questions.

Next comes your Leader class, where you’ll learn how to warm up your horse, handle emergencies, and develop key horsemanship skills.

That’s it! With the proper training and practice, anyone can become a confident leader. If you’re interested, stop by the volunteer office—we’d love to help you start your horsemanship journey!