Equine Care Volunteers

Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary are currently home to over 40 horses, ponies and donkeys who have found themselves at the sanctuary because of neglect, abandonment, abuse, etc. We are searching for volunteers to join our team of dedicated Volunteers who can help care for the equines at the sanctuary. Get involved, work with animals, and help them trust again!

Crosskennan achieved charity status in 1996. They work in two areas, rescue and rehabilitation of animals, and the education of the public on animal welfare and care. They have low staff numbers and this can mean that some of the animals don’t get the one on one care everyday like we would like. Some of the horses and ponies that come to the sanctuary have suffered from abuse or neglect and can have trust issues and can really benefit from one on one care and support. Simple tasks like grooming and leading can have a positive impact in the horses lives.

We are currently looking to recruit volunteers who have experience in working with horses and ponies and have the ability to train up others and supervise. We need people who are confident and knowledgeable around horses and ponies and in the simple tasks of tacking up, grooming, leading, etc. We are back logged in applications for new volunteers due to our lack of time and manpower for training.

We know that every animal deserves a chance at a new life, can you help them trust again?

Lucas was bred in America for the race track. He ended up in a yard in Belfast, skin and bones and a failure on the track. Crosskennan stepped in and rescued him, nursing him back to health. He could have become afraid of people, he could have become aggressive. Instead Lucas learnt to trust those around him, and he became a face of Crosskennan, working with groups and assisting with the Animals Helping People Therapy Programme.

This is merely one story of many. Lucas was lucky in that there was people who were able to work with him. Not all the horses and ponies at the sanctuary have the opportunity for one on one.

What do we want?

So we are looking for dedicated volunteers to join this team and help change lives. Prior experience and knowledge of working with equines is essential; this can be through owning your own horses/ponies, or having worked with horses. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to time in working with the equines as well as training up and supervising new volunteers.

What's in it for YOU?

Working with the animals is so beneficial for health and mental wellbeing. Being a part of the rehabilitation of horses and ponies is very rewarding and passing on your knowledge to others means giving back to your community.

What do YOU have to do?

We need you to commit to attending the sanctuary to work with the horses and ponies, grooming and handling mostly, getting the animals used to people and helping them learn to trust. You will be passing your knowledge on to others and supervising them during sessions. We know people may not be able to commit every week, or even every other week, but we do need people who can come at least on a regular basis so that the animals get time to make connections with you.

What Now?

Well if you want to find out more, contact us now and we will see how you can help us to continue to help horses and ponies. If this is not for you, fair enough, thank you for taking the time to consider us. If you would like to learn more about other Volunteering roles within the sanctuary, or about the work we do, check out our website; www.crosskennanlane.org.uk