GREAT FALLS — On Monday, Eagle Mount Equestrian Center hosted its first volunteer training session of the 2020 season, but Operations Coordinator Heather Martin said the Equestrian Program still needs volunteers.
The Eagle Mount mission is "to provide therapeutic and recreational activities for children, adults, and veterans with physical, developmental, behavioral and/or mental challenges, striving to improve the quality of life for them and their families."
Martin said approximately 109 disabled children participated in last year’s equestrian program. With so many participants and only three staff members, Eagle Mount relies on their volunteers to keep their program up and running.
Not all volunteers are required to have equestrian expertise, either. In fact, the only volunteers who need to be able to work with horses are the horse leads. All other volunteers don’t need to have any experience with horses as they will be used to help with other tasks.
“We need help mucking. We need help bringing in hay, any chores that need to be done, maintenance that needs to be done, lots of different things volunteers can come out and do besides work with the horses,” Martin said.
Volunteers can also help with crafts, cheer on participants, and clean the facility.
Martin described the ideal candidate as “somebody who wants to be here to give back to and to learn,”
She added that for those who truly have a heart for service, volunteering with the Equestrian Program can be incredibly rewarding. “You get what you give. I mean, you come out here and it's just an amazing experience,” Martin said.
If you'd like to volunteer to help with the Eagle Mount Equestrian Center, you must be 16 years old. For more information, click here to visit the website, or call 406-454-1449.
