Untacked

c h r o n o f h o r s e . c o m ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 43 equestrian life is often all encompassing, so it's no shock that the horse world ends up feeling quite insular at times. it's fitting, then, that new Year's resolutions coincide with what most of us consider a comparative lull in the equestrian calendar—a time when we can take a step back and reexamine the world around us and our roles (or in some cases lack thereof) in it. if you have the finances, health and time for a horsey hobby, you're far luckier than most in this world, and you also have more power than most to affect positive change. And society could certainly use your help; according to the Bureau of labor statistics, the 2013 volunteer rate in the united states was the lowest it's been since the organization started tracking participation in 2002. so if giving back is one of your main goals in 2015, con- sider these factors for ultimate impact. Assess Your Skill Sets And Time it feels counter-intuitive, when you're trying to turn over a new leaf of selflessness, to start out in the "it's all about me" mindset, but forging ahead without a bit of self analysis won't really set you up for long-term success. if you're look- ing to step right into a new volunteering role and feel like a rewarding contributor, you need to identify the strengths or talents you already possess. "one is going to be much more stimulated if they stick with something they already know something about, and that they can bring some sort of a skill to," advises nancy winter. An accomplished rider who was short-listed for the 1984 olympic games in eventing, winter now focuses the majority of her time on volunteering and philanthropy in her community of stockton, ill., and around the country. "if you have to do a steep learning curve and volunteer, it can be discouraging," winter cautions. so you probably don't want to bite off more than you can chew or venture too far out of your comfort zone too soon. But everyone has unique skills, and every skill set has an application. so if you're a wizard with computers, you can volunteer to help with data input or website design. if you're a natural organizer or a people person, you can help plan an event. on the flip side, there's nothing wrong with approaching volunteerism as a new hobby—an excuse to learn something new, explore your curiosity and break up the routine of your day job. Just be up front with your volunteer coordinator and yourself about your experience and intentions. You'll likely need to set aside more time and expect to make less immedi- ate impact toward your cause if training is required. Choose Wisely once you've assessed the time and talents you can bring to the table, "look within your local community and see what they need," winter advises. it's important to find a cause that you identify with and feel invested in. if you're overwhelmed by the possibilities and can't nar- row down your options, ask yourself these questions. Do I want to… spend more time around horses? many riders are familiar with the skills and commitments required to volunteer at the in-gate of a local show, but there are other ways to get more horse time and give back. winter was a pioneer for therapeutic riding pro- grams in her area, and she points out that assisting such organizations can be as easy as walking a horse for a few hours a week to as involved as serving on a non- profit board. ere's a level of involvement appropriate for anyone. Also, with time as a limited resource, "if you have a family, it makes sense to involve yourself in things your own children are involved in," winter notes. at can range from pony Club to the horse shows their children are attending. Do I want to… support my riding commu- nity in non-equestrian ways? winter suggests thinking outside the box a bit and considering the various organizations that make your local equine pursuits pos- sible. especially in rural areas, fire and emergency services are often volunteer-based and are always in need of new members. riding is a dangerous sport, and an apprecia- tion for such services can certainly motivate a commit- ment to them! even if you're a casual trail rider, there are commu- nity causes that directly relate to your experience. local parks and trail groups always need volunteers to clear the trails after storms and help maintain the integrity of the trails for riders.

• Cover