Rescuing abused, abandoned & neglected horses throughout New Mexico.
Considering Volunteering
The Answers to All Your Questions
I would love to volunteer for THS, how do I get started?
Great! Please start by filling out our Volunteer Application form found here (Link: Volunteer Application). The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you via email when they receive your form and get you signed up for the next available volunteer orientation.
Who can volunteer at THS?
THS welcomes adult volunteers and minor volunteers with a parent/guardian (minimum age is 12) who can dedicate at least 12 hours a month for at least 3 months.
What is a typical volunteer shift?
Volunteers shifts start at 9:00 am every day and are approximately 3-hour shifts.
What do volunteers do at the THS ranch?
The Volunteers’ primary task is to assist with mucking (cleaning pens). Occasionally there may be other tasks (assisting with events, special projects, etc.)
Do volunteers get to work with and groom horses?
Yes! After mucking each day, volunteers may choose to work with/groom horses during our hands-on horsemanship class. We use an on-line and in-person coaching program that was developed specifically for horse rescues with the goal to train volunteers and staff to handle and train the horses consistently and efficiently, which helps increase adoptions.
Do I need prior experience with horses to volunteer at THS?
No! We will train you to safely work around horses.
Are volunteers scheduled or can I just show up?
There is a schedule to help make sure we have enough/not too many volunteers any given day. Volunteers are typically assigned a day of the week based on their availability and the current needs at the ranch, and that becomes “their day”. If the day you are available as a new volunteer is fully covered, you may choose to be put on a wait list and will be contacted when the day opens up again.
If I have more questions about volunteering, who can I reach out to?
Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
When and where are Volunteer Orientations and how long are they?
Volunteer orientations are the second Saturday of every month at the The Horse Shelter Ranch in Cerrillos, New Mexico. Detailed directions will be sent to you with your orientation confirmation. They start at 10:00 am and are about 2 hours long. Space is limited, so please be sure you have received an email from the Volunteer Coordinator confirming your spot in the orientation before you come out!