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SKILLS ASSESSMENT

Skills Assessment:  Lesson Leader
(Demonstrate techniques described in the operations manual)

 Communication through body language:

  • Demonstrate ability to read the horse & respond
  • Demonstrate body language that provides clear communication with the horse
  • Demonstrate appropriate praise for work done by the horse
  • Demonstrate proper body position of leader at halt, walk, trot and turn
  • Leader does not contribute to horse stress level

Warm-Up Exercise

  • Demonstrate disengaging haunches, moving forehand and backing
  • Demonstrate introducing all lesson props and equipment
  • Demonstrate proper hand placement with two hands on lead rope
    • Should not be grapping buckle of lead rope or holding the halter
    • Should not have rope so long that the horse or leader trip over it
  • Demonstrate use of aids such as voice, end of lead rope and dressage whip

Maneuver

  • Demonstrate maintaining rhythm at the active walk for at least 20 minutes consecutively
  • Demonstrate smooth transition between halt, walk, face walk and trot
  • Demonstrate trotting at a consistent pace for long length of the arena
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead the horse straight and has wide smooth turning radius

Mounting Block

  • Demonstrate ability to proper line horse in order according to dressage letters in the arena
  • Demonstrate acknowledgement from rider to bring the horse to the mounting block
  • Demonstrate relaxed, straight entry to the mounting block on the appropriate side
  • Demonstrate asking the horse to square and stand
  • Demonstrate relaxed, slow exit from the mounting block with rider

Ability to work in a lesson environment

  • Follow instructor directions
  • Communicate with the team during lesson
  • Demonstrate the ability to allow the rider to guide the horse while maintaining a safe level of control if needed
  • Demonstrate awareness of surroundings and ability to respond appropriately

Emergency Procedures

  • Knowledge of horse handling procedures and responsibilities during an emergency
  • Ability to respond quickly to any situation appropriately
  • Maintain control of the horse during the emergency

Skills Assessment:  Lesson Sidewalker
(Demonstrate techniques described in the operations manual)

  Transitioning rider

  • Can explain the procedures for  transitioning a rider to and from the lesson activity
  • Demonstrate the ability to help riders make these transitions
  • Demonstrate proper fit of a helmet
  • Can explain the bathroom procedures

Mounting

  • Demonstrate proper placement at the mounting block
  • Demonstrate ability to counter-balance weight in off-side stirrup and assist rider’s leg as needed
  • Demonstrate appropriate exit from the mounting block

Sidewalker position

  • Demonstrate ability to coordinate and make spatial adjustments that will allow sidewalker to maintain a position aligned with rider’s leg and no more than an arms length away
  • Demonstrate ability to adjust position and stride so as not to interfere with the leader’s foot steps
  • Demonstrate ability to trot in described proper position alongside horse/rider down the long side of the arena
  • Demonstrate ability to perform the follow holds: over the thigh, heal hold, foot stirrup hold

Ability to work in a lesson environment

  • Follow instructor directions
  • Demonstrate ability to prompt rider as directed
  • Communicate with team members
  • Demonstrates the ability to allow the rider to guide the horse while maintaining safe a level of control if needed
  • Demonstrate awareness of surroundings and ability to respond accordingly

Emergency Procedures

  • Knowledge of sidewalker procedures and responsibilities
  • Demonstrate responding to a situation by quickly and safely securing an over the thigh hold
  • Demonstrate the ability to respond to any situation appropriately and in a timely manner
  • Demonstrate emergency dismount

Skills Assessment:  Wrangler
(Demonstrate techniques described in the operations manual)

 Communication through body language

  • Demonstrate ability to read horse & respond
  • Demonstrate body language that provides clear communication with the horse
  • Demonstrate appropriate praise for work done by equine
  • Demonstrate correct body position of leader at halt, walk, trot and turn
  • Leader does not contribute to horse stress level

Leading

  • Demonstrate proper hand placement with two hands on the lead rope
    • Should  not be grabbing buckle of lead rope or halter
    • Should not have rope so long horse can step over it
  • Demonstrate use of aids such as voice and end of lead rope
  • Demonstrate leading through pasture gates as described in operations manual
  • Demonstrate ability to prevent horse from eating grass
  • Demonstrate leading in and out of stalls as described in operations manual

Grooming

  • Demonstrate correct placement of halter
  • Demonstrate leading in and out of stalls as described in operations manual
  • Demonstrate grooming bay procedures as described in the operations manual
  • Demonstrate proper use of grooming tools
  • Demonstrate proper care of hooves

Tacking & Un-Tacking

  • Demonstrate ability to prepare tack according to posted tack sheets
  • Demonstrate proper placement of head gear
  • Demonstrate proper placement of saddle and pads
  • Demonstrate proper girthing procedures
  • Demonstrate ability to return tack in organized manner to the appropriate location

Ability to work in a team environment

  • Demonstrate ability to follow posted directions
  • Communicate with team members
  • Demonstrate awareness of surrounds and ability to respond accordingly

Emergency Procedures

  • Can explain emergency procedures as it applies to your responsibilities
  • Ability to respond to any situation appropriately and in a timely manner

Junior Volunteers:  Junior volunteers are 12 to 16 years of age and work under the direct supervision of the equine manager or a volunteer mentor. They do not participate directly in lessons. Junior volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or another adult until they have demonstrated that their maturity and skills are at the level where a staff person determines an adult is no longer necessary.  Junior volunteers must demonstrate the ability to act responsibly in the barn area, complete task, and follow barn rules and guidelines.  
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Previous horse experience is preferred
  • Successful completion of CKRH junior volunteer training
  • Basic horse skills are required such as picking hooves, grooming, safe leading techniques and leading horses through pasture gates with other horses which are loose
  • Assist CKRH wrangler with getting horses ready for lessons
  • Assist CKRH wrangler with caring for horses after lessons
  • Set up and take down lesson rings
  • Prepare stalls for horses coming in
  • Clean stalls, feed tubs, water buckets
  • Clean tack

 Barn Help:  Barn helpers keep our facility organized, clean, and safe.  Duties will vary. Training will be on an individual basis.
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Previous horse experience is not required
  • Duties are assigned according to skills of volunteer

Haycrew:  Haycrew is the team of volunteers who feed and care for our horses.  Haycrew volunteers are year-round and are able to commit on a monthly basis, to a weekly designated time slot.  
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Previous horse experience is required
  • Successful completion of haycrew training
  • Ability to have reliable on time attendance
  • Ability to identify & differentiate between horses
  • Feed hay, grain, and supplements
  • Clean automatic waterers
  • Clean and fill troughs and buckets
  • Check horses for illness or injury
  • Bring horses in and out of the barn as needed
  • Prepare stalls for horses coming in
  • Clean stalls
  • Put on or take off muzzles, blankets and fly masks as needed
  • Clean and put away feed pans, buckets, rakes, muck tubs and other tools used
  • Clean mini pen
  • Blow barn aisle and assist in maintaining an obstacle-free, clean barn area
  • Assist in maintaining a clean feed area

Pamper Pals: Pamper pals work under the direction of the equine manager to obtain the highest standard of health and well being for our horse herd.  
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Previous horse experience
  • Successful completion of pamper pal training
  • Groom horses
  • Bathe horses
  • Perform basic first aid on minor scrapes
  • Administer hoof treatments
  • Set up Equissage treatments
  • Take horses for walks
  • Feed grain to horses needing an extra meal
  • Clean stalls or grooming bays used during your session 

Ground Work Assistants: Ground work assistants work under the direction of the equine trainer to improve the ground manners of our therapy horses and insure that each horse feels comfortable in lessons.  The result of this training and conditioning is a more enjoyable and safe lesson environment for all horses, participants, and volunteers.
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Intermediate to advanced previous horse experience
  • Pass a ground work skills assessment
  • Groom, bathe, administer hoof treatments, set up Equissage treatments
  • Tack horses
  • Walk/trot in hand through a pattern or obstacle course
  • Work with lesson objects (balls, noisemakers, other toys, cones, barrels, mounting blocks, etc.) to desensitize the horse
  • Work with a partner or two to accustom the horse to sidewalkers
  • Clean stalls or grooming bays used during your session
  • Clean and condition tack used during your session

Mounted Training & Conditioning Assistants: Mounted training & conditioning assistants work under the direction of the equine trainer, training and exercising horses to keep them supple, physically fit, and more responsive to their riders.  There are two categories of training and conditioning volunteers.  The level is determined by ability, experience, and how long a volunteer has been with CKRH.  Responsibilities include those listed below, as well as any of those listed under ‘ground work assistants.’  Horses used during training sessions must be appointed or approved by the equine manager or program director.

Level I
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Intermediate to advanced previous horse experience
  • Pass the level I lunging & riding test given by the equine manager or have a C1 level Pony Club rating
  • May only ride while a staff member is present at CKRH
  • Free lunge in the round pen
  • Lunge
  • Train and condition horses under saddle, including warm up and cool down periods
  • Groom horse before and after session
  • Clean stalls or grooming bays used during your session
  • Clean and condition tack used during your session

Level II
Qualifications and Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at CKRH volunteer orientation part 1 & 2
  • Intermediate to advanced previous horse experience
  • Complete at least 6 months of consistent work as a level I mounted training & conditioning assistant
  • Pass the level II lunging & riding test given by the equine manager or have at least C2 level Pony Club rating
  • May ride approved horses with another level II rider present, without a staff member present at CKRH, under the condition that the equine manager or program director has authorized the session
  • Free lunge in the round pen
  • Lunge
  • Long-line or ground drive
  • Train and condition horses under saddle, including warm up and cool down periods
  • Groom horse before and after session
  • Clean stalls or grooming bays used during your session
  • Clean and condition tack used during your session

Special Event Volunteers includes CKRH equine special events like Summer Camp, horse shows, Pony Club Rally, Special Olympics, etc and serve in the capacity as a Leader, Sidewalker or Wrangler and must demonstrate appropriate skill set.

Skills Assessment:  Lesson Leader
(Demonstrate techniques described in the operations manual)

 Communication through body language:

  • Demonstrate ability to read the horse & respond
  • Demonstrate body language that provides clear communication with the horse
  • Demonstrate appropriate praise for work done by the horse
  • Demonstrate proper body position of leader at halt, walk, trot and turn
  • Leader does not contribute to horse stress level

Warm-Up Exercise

  • Demonstrate disengaging haunches, moving forehand and backing
  • Demonstrate introducing all lesson props and equipment
  • Demonstrate proper hand placement with two hands on lead rope
    • Should not be grapping buckle of lead rope or holding the halter
    • Should not have rope so long that the horse or leader trip over it
  • Demonstrate use of aids such as voice, end of lead rope and dressage whip

Maneuver

  • Demonstrate maintaining rhythm at the active walk for at least 20 minutes consecutively
  • Demonstrate smooth transition between halt, walk, face walk and trot
  • Demonstrate trotting at a consistent pace for long length of the arena
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead the horse straight and has wide smooth turning radius

Mounting Block

  • Demonstrate ability to proper line horse in order according to dressage letters in the arena
  • Demonstrate acknowledgement from rider to bring the horse to the mounting block
  • Demonstrate relaxed, straight entry to the mounting block on the appropriate side
  • Demonstrate asking the horse to square and stand
  • Demonstrate relaxed, slow exit from the mounting block with rider

Ability to work in a lesson environment

  • Follow instructor directions
  • Communicate with the team during lesson
  • Demonstrate the ability to allow the rider to guide the horse while maintaining a safe level of control if needed
  • Demonstrate awareness of surroundings and ability to respond appropriately

Emergency Procedures

  • Knowledge of horse handling procedures and responsibilities during an emergency
  • Ability to respond quickly to any situation appropriately
  • Maintain control of the horse during the emergency

Skills Assessment:  Lesson Sidewalker
(Demonstrate techniques described in the operations manual)

Transitioning rider

  • Can explain the procedures for  transitioning a rider to and from the lesson activity
  • Demonstrate the ability to help riders make these transitions
  • Demonstrate proper fit of a helmet
  • Can explain the bathroom procedures

Mounting

  • Demonstrate proper placement at the mounting block
  • Demonstrate ability to counter-balance weight in off-side stirrup and assist rider’s leg as needed
  • Demonstrate appropriate exit from the mounting block

Sidewalker position

  • Demonstrate ability to coordinate and make spatial adjustments that will allow sidewalker to maintain a position aligned with rider’s leg and no more than an arms length away
  • Demonstrate ability to adjust position and stride so as not to interfere with the leader’s foot steps
  • Demonstrate ability to trot in described proper position alongside horse/rider down the long side of the arena
  • Demonstrate ability to perform the follow holds: over the thigh, heal hold, foot stirrup hold

Ability to work in a lesson environment

  • Follow instructor directions
  • Demonstrate ability to prompt rider as directed
  • Communicate with team members
  • Demonstrates the ability to allow the rider to guide the horse while maintaining safe a level of control if needed
  • Demonstrate awareness of surroundings and ability to respond accordingly

Emergency Procedures

  • Knowledge of sidewalker procedures and responsibilities
  • Demonstrate responding to a situation by quickly and safely securing an over the thigh hold
  • Demonstrate the ability to respond to any situation appropriately and in a timely manner
  • Demonstrate emergency dismount

Skills Assessment:  Wrangler
(Demonstrate techniques described in the operations manual)

 Communication through body language

  • Demonstrate ability to read horse & respond
  • Demonstrate body language that provides clear communication with the horse
  • Demonstrate appropriate praise for work done by equine
  • Demonstrate correct body position of leader at halt, walk, trot and turn
  • Leader does not contribute to horse stress level

Leading

  • Demonstrate proper hand placement with two hands on the lead rope
    • Should  not be grabbing buckle of lead rope or halter
    • Should not have rope so long horse can step over it
  • Demonstrate use of aids such as voice and end of lead rope
  • Demonstrate leading through pasture gates as described in operations manual
  • Demonstrate ability to prevent horse from eating grass
  • Demonstrate leading in and out of stalls as described in operations manual

Grooming

  • Demonstrate correct placement of halter
  • Demonstrate leading in and out of stalls as described in operations manual
  • Demonstrate grooming bay procedures as described in the operations manual
  • Demonstrate proper use of grooming tools
  • Demonstrate proper care of hooves

Tacking & Un-Tacking

  • Demonstrate ability to prepare tack according to posted tack sheets
  • Demonstrate proper placement of head gear
  • Demonstrate proper placement of saddle and pads
  • Demonstrate proper girthing procedures
  • Demonstrate ability to return tack in organized manner to the appropriate location

Ability to work in a team environment

  • Demonstrate ability to follow posted directions
  • Communicate with team members
  • Demonstrate awareness of surrounds and ability to respond accordingly

Emergency Procedures

  • Can explain emergency procedures as it applies to your responsibilities
  • Ability to respond to any situation appropriately and in a timely manner
Fundraising  Volunteers
Commitment and Requirements:
Fundraising events are annual fundraisers for CKRH. Each event has its own specific needs and time commitments for volunteers. CKRH new volunteer orientations or group training is not required. A volunteer application or liability release form must be on file at CKRH.
CKRH special events include:
Paul Frazer Memorial Horse Show
Rolex Three Day Event
High Hope Steeplechase
Night of the Stars
Tack Sale and Trail Ride
March
April
May
June
October
Administration Volunteers
Commitment and Requirements:
Administration volunteers fulfill ongoing needs within the categories below.  CKRH new volunteer orientations or group training is not required.  A volunteer application or liability release form must be on file at CKRH.  If you have additional talents and skills in addition to what is listed, please let us know!
Tour Guide
Receptionist
Data Entry
Mass Mailing
Staff Assistant
Fund Raising
Newsletter
Photography
Videography
Office help
If you have other talents you would like to share with CKRH, please let us know!
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Contact Information

PO BOX 13155
Lexington, KY 40583

 

 

 

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