Barn chores - support our barn team as we clean stalls and paddocks, fill water buckets, feed grain and hay and prepare for the program day ahead.

Sidewalker - walk and jog alongside our participants as they ride during their lesson or therapy session.

Horse Groom - gather tack and ready the horse assigned so they can be brushed and ready for the lesson or therapy session ahead.

Horse Leader - lead the horse during a lesson or therapy session so the participant can focus on learning, gaining new skills, and developing independence.

Greeter - meet and greet our participants and their families to the property. Use your smiling face and joyful personality to bring a welcoming experience.

Gardener– prepare the soil, plant seeds and provide ongoing care for seasonal vegetables, herbs and flowers to be enjoyed by our horses and community members.

Facility Maintenance – assist with maintenance, carpentry, and landscaping needs of our facilities and property.

Administrative, Development, PR/Marketing or Fundraising - use your experience to help further our mission.

Gala Committee – do you enjoy engaging with others? Help with the planning, auction item solicitation and building attendance for our annual black-tie gala Horsing Around at the Mandarin.

This is the first training for all volunteers. This one hour orientation will explain what BINA Farm Center is all about, programs we offer and the different volunteer opportunities available.

Dates & Times:

• Thursday, January 16th

  • 5 - 6 PM

Prerequisites: You must have completed your volunteer portal application and paperwork to register for a volunteer orientation.

In this training you will learn how to be a Sidewalker in Adaptive Riding (previously named Therapeutic Riding)

Dates & Times:

• Thursday, January 23rd

  • 5 - 6 PM

Prerequisites: You must have attended and successfully completed our Volunteer Orientation to attend this training.

April Kilbourne, our Barn and Equine Director, leads this training to share how we provide our horses with necessary consistency. Whether you are a seasoned horse-person or just starting your journey with horses, we hope these trainings will provide you with all the tools you need to handle any situation with any horse here at our farm. This training is also the pre-requisite to being invited to our Groom training. Some topics covered in this specialized training include how to:

• Communicate effectively through the lead rope

• Create safety by stepping into a leadership role

• Set compassionate boundaries

• Reward the horses (without treats!)

• Confidently deal with challenging situations

Dates & Times: Current volunteers are encouraged to express interest by emailing volunteer@binafarm.org or stopping by the Program Office during your next shift!

Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation. 

In this training you will learn how to be a Groom in riding lessons by expanding on Horsemanship 101’s topics and gaining new skills such as reading the tack board and recognizing each horse by their appearance.

Dates & Times:

• Monday, January 20th

  • 5 - 6 PM

Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation, Training 1 and Training 2 to attend this training. If you have extensive horse handling experience, you may be considered for Training 2 without needing Training 1. 

In this training you will learn what it means to be a Leader in programming by building off topics covered in Trainings 1, 2 and 3 while making a focus on safety, assisting with managing the horse for the mount and dismount, and how to lead effectively while trotting a horse in hand.

Dates & Times:

• Monday, January 27th

  • 5 - 6 PM

Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation, and Trainings 1-3 to attend this training. If you have extensive horse handling experience, you may be considered for Training 4 without needing Training 1. 

This specialized training is meant to equip volunteers to sign up for shifts supporting occupational or physical therapy sessions.

Dates & Times: Current volunteers are encouraged to express interest via volunteer@binafarm.org

Prequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation, Training 1, Training 2 and/or Training 3 to attend this specialized training.

This training will cover the skills you need to volunteer at our Dana Hall location in Wellesley. Horse experience is strongly recommended, but not mandatory.

Dates & Times: TBD

Prerequisites: Previous horse experience is preferred. Volunteers who have attended all Lexington location trainings can be considered for volunteer shifts at DHS.