Horse Care Volunteer (Rolleston)

Blue Cross operates two Horse Adoption Centres located in Burford and Rolleston on Dove. Volunteers are at the heart of our work, enabling us to find new homes for horses and ponies who have been made homeless.

We're looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of horse care and husbandry, ensuring that our horses are well looked after while they wait for their forever homes.

Whether you have experience handling horses or are returning to them after a break, this role can be tailored to suit you. By gifting your time, you'll become part of a passionate, supportive team dedicated to improving the lives of horses in need. Your involvement will make a real difference, helping us care for more horses and give them the chance they deserve.

More about this role

Volunteer role

Horse Care Volunteer

Volunteer manager

Volunteer Coordinator

Where you will be based

Centre

Why we want you

At Blue Cross, we believe that every horse deserves a second chance. There has never been a greater need for our help, with many horses and ponies across the UK facing uncertain futures due to neglect, overbreeding, and financial hardship. Volunteers like you are essential to ensuring that these animals receive the care, attention, and love they deserve.

By helping us provide essential daily care and attention for horses, you'll directly contribute to their welfare, allowing us to take in more animals who need rescue. Your support enables us to free up space at our centres for additional horses, meaning we can help even more animals on their journey to safety and recovery.

What you will be doing

• Helping with routine cleaning of the stables, paddocks, and shelters
• Feeding, watering and grooming the horses
• Socialising and handling horses
• General yard duties including cleaning tack, equipment and yard areas
• Monitoring health, welfare and behaviour of the horses
• Assisting in the training
• Washing rugs and equipment
• Tidying storerooms

The skills you need

• Experience of owning or caring for horses and an interest in their welfare
• Ability to work in a team or alone
• An understanding of the care horses need
• A willingness to carry out routine tasks such as cleaning
• A reasonable level of fitness to carry out an active role
• The willingness to learn and follow Blue Cross procedures

What's in it for you

• Your involvement will directly contribute to improving the quality of life for the horses
• You'll see the impact of your work on the horses' well-being and help them get one step closer to finding their forever homes
• From horse care to teamwork and communication, this role offers valuable hands-on experience that will boost your CV
• You'll receive full training and ongoing support from our dedicated team, ensuring that you are well prepared and confident in your role
• Work alongside a passionate team of volunteers and staff, all committed to improving the lives of animals
• There's no greater reward than knowing you've helped a horse on its journey to a better future

Disclaimer

Online training will be required before you can begin the role. Due to the time sensitive nature of the tasks within this role it would be ideal if you could come into one of our horse centres once a week for a minimum of two hours. We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to involve the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this. At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are. Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating an organisation where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcomed, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities. We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress - a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us. If you would like to talk to us about any accessibility needs that we can support with in terms of our volunteer recruitment processes, then please do get in touch. You can email and we can organise for the right team member to get in touch with you for a discussion.

Hilda Archer Sanctuary, Dovecliff Road, Rolleston-on-Dove, DE13 9AU, United Kingdom