Volunteer
GallopNYC is one of New York City’s most rewarding and unique volunteering experiences.
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Ways to Volunteer
Where You’ll Volunteer
Almost all volunteer opportunities take place at Sunrise Stables in Howard Beach, Queens, our home for therapeutic horsemanship and the heart of everything we do.
Key Volunteer Roles
You'll spend your time outdoors, alongside our horses, helping children, adults with disabilities, veterans, and seniors do things they've been told they couldn't do. Walk. Speak. Find their balance. Build trust.
No riding experience or horse background needed — we train you when you arrive. All you bring is your time and your willingness to show up.
We rely on hundreds of volunteers each season to support lessons, care for our herd, and keep the barn welcoming. Whether you can come weekly or just occasionally, there's a role for you.
Everyone is Welcome
Create your volunteer account, complete a short orientation, and you are ready for your first shift.
Get Started
Come meet our horses and make new friends as you help our riders learn important life skills. No experience is necessary - we train you when you arrive.
Who can Volunteer?
Age 16 or older, or 13-15-year-olds with instructor permission.
Able to stand and walk for extended periods, at least 30 minutes at a time.
Able to briefly jog alongside a horse and rider when a lesson calls for it.
Individual
Our volunteer community is as diverse as the city we serve, and that includes volunteers with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to volunteer with us, tell us when you register or email our volunteer team. We will work with you to find a role that fits. Questions? Email volunteer@gallopnyc.org.
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Age 16+ or by instructor permission
Ability to stand and walk for an extended period (at least 30-minute intervals)
Ability to briefly jog with the horse and rider
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Lesson Support:
Assist the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions by working directly with the riders. Act as an intermediary between the rider and instructor by assisting the rider in carrying out the instructor’s directions.Duties and Expectations:
Help prepare riders for lessons.
Assist with rider support during mounting and dismounting.
Walk (and jog) next to the rider throughout the class and provide physical support as necessary (also known as “side-walking”).
Prompt the rider to follow directions given by the instructor.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
Barn Work:
Assist our barn staff to keep the barn maintained and running smoothly. (This will include more manual labor that may involve lifting up to 30lbs.)
Duties and Expectations:
Washing and filling the horse's water buckets.
Cleaning feed pans, sweeping and cleaning common areas.
Filling hay nets.
Mucking stalls and paddocks.
Feeding ducks and chickens and cleaning out their coops.
Helping with lesson support when needed.
Lead-Walking: if approved by site supervisor or Volunteer coordinator
Support therapeutic lessons by lead-walking horses and supporting instructors with lesson preparations.
Duties and Expectations:
Lead horses during therapeutic riding classes, working with a group of side-walkers, keeping the primary focus on your assigned horse (and not the rider) while maintaining communication with the team.
Executes directions of the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions.
Depending on the site, will bring horses in and out of the arena.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
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GallopNYC operates GallopNYC Lindenwood (Sunrise Stables) under a NYC Park License. Group volunteers can help with special projects around the barn, including painting, construction and maintenance.
To get started, email GallopNYC’s Volunteer Manager, Marlee Miller, at marlee.miller@gallopnyc.org, including your preferred date of service and the approximate number of volunteers you would like to bring.
Corporate
Corporate groups can spend a day at Sunrise Stables supporting our riders and our herd while building real connections across a team. Past partners include Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, Moody’s, and Deloitte. A corporate volunteer day combines a horse safety and education session, a guided tour, and hands-on volunteering, and your contribution directly supports our therapeutic programming.
To plan a corporate day, email development@gallopnyc.org with your preferred date and approximate group size.
New to GallopNYC?
Volunteers fill a few key roles. You start with Lesson Support, and you can grow into more responsibility over time.
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This is where almost everyone begins, and no experience is needed. You walk alongside a rider during their therapeutic riding session, offering steady support and encouragement and helping them follow the instructor’s directions.
Help prepare riders for their lessons.
Support riders during mounting and dismounting.
Walk, and sometimes briefly jog, beside the rider throughout the class, providing physical support as needed.
Encourage the rider to follow the instructor’s cues.
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Keep the barn running and our herd comfortable. This role is more physical and may involve lifting up to 30 pounds.
Clean and fill water buckets; clean feed pans.
Fill hay nets, sweep, and tidy common areas.
Muck stalls and paddocks.
Feed the ducks and chickens and clean their coops.
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Once you have completed at least one Lesson Support or Barn work shift, you can train to lead horses during therapeutic classes. After attending a training, a staff member will let you know if you’ve been approved to sign up for lead-walking shifts.
Lead an assigned horse during class while staying in sync with the side-walking team.
Follow the instructor’s direction throughout the session, keeping your focus on the horse.
Bring horses in and out of the arena.
Other Ways to Help
Get Involved
GallopNYC welcomes pro bono professional services that help us deliver effective, affordable programming. If your firm or practice can contribute its expertise, email volunteer@gallopnyc.org.