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I volunteer at a local stables. My duties include mucking out stables; helping customers mount; taking horses out for rides; grooming; tacking up/untacking; finishing off and rugging. I also help out at another stable with RDA.

Through my volunteering work, I have learnt a variety of essential equine skills. I work with a range of horse of varying needs and ages so I have learnt to adapt to the different personalities of these horses. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know the horses whilst I muck out stables, spend time grooming them and tack them up ready for riding. Part of my duties involve me helping the customers mount. I then lead them when they are on the horse, the amount that I do this depends on the nature if the customer. I am often tasked with returning the horse to the stables after rides. I help the yard manager maintain the yards and stables by ensuring that the area is clear and clean.I also sometimes fill the hay and haylage nets. Through my RDA volunteering, I learnt how to lead customers on the horses, see to the comfort and safety of the customer by ensuring they do not fall off and encouraging them during their ride.

I am on the higher level of walk/trot with the ability to do a rising trot. I shall be learning how to canter shortly.

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