Make a Difference.
We welcome anyone who loves animals to become a volunteer. Ranch work is hard and dirty, but it is the most fulfilling volunteering you’ll do. All skills sets are welcome, from answering telephones to driving a tractor. Our volunteer programs include monthly orientations, clinics, and other programs focused on training both our volunteers and horses.
Under staff supervision, volunteers can participate in ranch operations, including mucking; feeding and watering; grounds and building maintenance (construction/plumbing/electrical); maintaining and driving farm equipment and trailers; administrative/office work; volunteering at our thrift store, and more. At the ranch, our staff horse trainers provide horse handling classes to active volunteers. Ranch staff members work in collaboration with area veterinarians and farriers to ensure the health and safety of our animals. A ranch operations specialist lives onsite to provide 24-hour security.
THRIFT STORE VOLUNTEERS - If ranch work isn’t your thing but you want to help horses in another way, we’re always looking for volunteers to help at our Thrift Store in Edgewood, NM. Email our store manager if you’d like to help greet customers, arrange displays, sort donations, and more.
volunteer RANCH HAND orientation information
Registering for an upcoming orientation and Horse Handling 101 clinic (below) is your first step to becoming a volunteer ranch hand. Orientations are held the first Saturday of each month and Horse Handling 101 clinics on the following Saturday of each month unless there is a conflict with a major holiday or other ranch activity. Attendance to both orientation and Horse Handling 101 is mandatory. Proper attire is a must; be prepared with jeans, boots, hat, gloves, eye protection, and sunscreen or long-sleeves/jacket. Bring a water bottle and snacks since we’ll be working through lunch.
Before your scheduled orientation, please print and complete these forms and bring them with you. If there are minors in your group (ages 8-17), complete the minor release section for them. Minors (accompanied by an adult) may attend Horse Handling 101 and 102, but only ages 12 and up can participate.
Ranch Hand Application
Liability Release
Background Check Form
Code of Conduct
Once we receive your registration, you will be emailed a link to an online course that must be completed before the first day of orientation. On the day of orientation, please arrive at the ranch office by 9:45 am and plan to stay until 1:00 pm. You will sign in, get a name badge and spend some time reviewing our mission, ranch rules, and general safety. This will be followed by a quick ranch tour and a hands-on review of ranch chores and tasks. New ranch hands are required to also attend a Horse Handling clinic taught by our trainers regardless of your past experience. This session, held on the second Saturday of every month from 10 to noon, will be interactive and teach you how to approach, catch, halter, tie, open gates, lead forward and backward, groom, and lift and clean a horse’s feet.
The cost to register is a $40 nonrefundable donation to the ranch per adult; minors ages 8-17 are free, but must be accompanied by an adult. Minors (accompanied by an adult) must be ages 12 and up to participate in the Horse Handling 101 clinic. Pre-registration is required; please use the online forms below.
Once you complete the Horse Handling 101 clinic, you have the option to attend advanced training classes to further your skills and work with higher level horses.
Register for a 2025 orientation session.
Orientations for 2025 will begin February 1. Check back here for a link to register soon.
We prefer you register for orientation at least two weeks prior to the class. For your convenience, use the online registration links to select and pay for your desired date. Or, you can call our office (505-286-0779) and provide a credit card number. Once registered, you will receive an email with more information about a week before orientation.