Volunteer

Be Our Hero!

Volunteers are the backbone of our program. We always have volunteer opportunities available. There are no words to describe the rewarding experience you will gain from becoming a Horse Protection volunteer.

Here is what Tamara Hoyland said after her first time participating as a Horse Protection volunteer:

I wanted to thank you for my “experience” at Horse Protection Association of Florida. I have been emotionally changed. When I left Saturday my feet were soaked, I was wet, dirty, and I loved every minute of it. I have not been able to stop thinking of Horse Protection and the team there and the enormous undertaking of this Association.

 

After reading all of the literature and newsletters, I was so moved by the stories, and the wonderful people involved and helping. I must tell you I was heartbroken by the story of the slaughterhouse, I had no idea, and the multiple stories of neglect, etc. I felt so insignificant, and what could I offer, what could I do, I do not have the talents or the experience of this team, but I feel I have to do something, anything!

 

I will be “campaigning” for Horse Protection for sponsorship and donations. I will talk to those I know. I will persuade others to support financially and hopefully make some difference.

 

I feel very “privileged” to volunteer and learn. I was thrown from a horse when I was a young girl and have never been back on. I have always loved horses and admired them but have not been around them since being a child. I hope to have the privilege to have horses someday, but have so much to learn and understand the responsibility and dedication it will take—that is one of the reasons I wanted to volunteer, to learn—and of course most importantly help.

– Tamara Hoyland

We welcome individuals and groups to volunteer. And if you’re not sure what you can do, but have a heart to help, contact us anyway! We’ll have a conversation about your interests and get you on a list for future opportunities.

A few of the possibilities…

Fostering

Can you provide a temporary home for a horse or horses in an emergency?

Thank you to Sandra Vann, one of our trainers, who offers significantly discounted training for our rescues. Shown here with Spirit. Out of the kindness of her heart, Sandra is fostering Pardner while her owner is in the hospital with pneumonia in hopes that his owner will recover and can be reunited with him.

Barn Help

Our farm staff welcomes volunteer help, especially on the weekends!

Take a Volun-Cation!

Not from around here? Don’t let that stop you!

Here’s Tamra and Matt from Texas. They stayed and helped us for three weeks!

Professional Gifts

Do you excel at carpentry, painting, pasture maintenance? Do you have legal, administrative, artistic, or marketing skills? Chances are, we have a project for you!

A retired FBI agent and friend to Horse Protection donates her services for Horse Protection’s background checks so that all of us, including the horses and donkeys can be safe and secure on our premises.

Help With Events

We can always use help setting up, cleaning up, and welcoming visitors when we have programs at the farm.

Training

We work with several natural horsemanship trainers whom we compensate for their time and effort. Many of them offer discounted services for the Horse Protection horses. If you are a trainer who would like to explore this truly rewarding way to give back, we welcome your inquiry.

Contact Us
Liability Release
Required for volunteers and farm visitors.

Release Agreement

Please read and initial each paragraph, then sign with your finger or mouse at the end and hit the SUBMIT button. Thank you!
WARNING: UNDER FLORIDA LAW (FLORIDA STATUTES, TITLE XLV TORTS, CHAPTER 773, EQUINE ACTIVITIES), AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR OR PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO, OR THE DEATH OF, A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES. In consideration and in exchange for Horse Protection Association of Florida (“HPAF”) granting me permission to visit today and on all future days, the property known as 20690 NW 130th Avenue, Micanopy, Florida (the “Property”), and engage with, observe or otherwise participate in activities with horses, ponies, mules or donkeys (“Equines”), whether as a visitor, student or volunteer, I, the undersigned participant, hereby expressly agree:
That I am fully aware of the inherent risk of Equine activities, including but not limited to: 1)the propensity of Equines to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm or death to persons on or around them; 2) the unpredictability of an Equine reaction to such things as sounds, sudden movement, and unfamiliar objects, persons or other animals; 3)certain hazards such as surface and sub-surface conditions; 4) collisions with other Equines or objects; and 5) the potential of a participant, including HPAF staff or volunteers, to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to me or others, such as failing to maintain control over an animal or not acting within his/her or their ability. I HEREBY ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS INVOLVED IN OR ARISING FROMMY PARTICIPATION IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES OR MY USE OF OR PRESENCE UPON THE PROPERTY OR FACILITIES OF HPAF.
Please initial
That I, on my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs and assigns, hereby release HPAF and all of its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, affiliates, successors and assigns (each a “Released Party” and collectively the “Released Parties”), from, and agree not to sue any or all of them on account of or in connection with, any claims, causes of action, injuries, damages cost or expenses arising out of my participation in Equine activities or my presence upon or the use of the Property, facilities, or services ofHPAF, whether or not caused by the negligence or other fault of HPAF or any Property or equipment supplied by HPAF. HPAF provides this document in good faith absent any intention to misstate any declaration of danger associated with participation in Equine activities.
Please initial
That this release shall be binding upon my heirs, assigns, legal representatives, and personal representatives.
Please initial
That I hereby waive the protection afforded by any statute or law in any jurisdiction whose purpose, substance, and/or affects is to provide that a general release shall not extend to claims, material or otherwise, which the person giving the release does not know or suspect to exist at the time of the execution of the release.
Please initial
That, if I ignore this Release Agreement and initiate claim or suit against any Released Party, I will be responsible for all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by him/her or them.
Please initial
That if the participant under this release is a minor child, I as parent or guardian of that minor child undertake the obligation of this Release Agreement on behalf of the minor child in giving my permission and consent for the minor child to participate in Equine activities and therefore, do agree to the fullest extent allowable by law on behalf of a minor child, confer upon HPAF and all other Released Parties all the benefits of this Release Agreement and do further agree to indemnify and hold harmless against any claim, demand, or suit including all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by HPAF and all other Released Parties whether or not the basis for any claim, demand, or suit is caused in whole or in part by the actual or alleged negligence or other fault of HPAF, its staff, volunteers, Property, Equines, facilities or services.
Please initial
That although HPAF may demonstrate for or suggest to me certain horsemanship practices or techniques, HPAF does not have knowledge of my equine handling skills sufficient to judge or determine my ability to engage in the Equine activity, but have made reasonable and prudent efforts to do so. I therefore release HPAF and all other Released Parties from any continuing duty to monitor my Equine activities even while I may be attempting or practicing a suggested horsemanship practice or technique. I am responsible for my own safety.
Please initial
I received and reviewed this Release Agreement while off of the Property. I have read and fully understand this Agreement. I understand that by making and signing this Agreement I surrender valuable rights, including, but not limited to, my right to sue.
Please initial
That I will wear protective shoe wear (boots preferred).
Please initial
If choose "agree" you will see the photo/video agreement and can choose whether or not to initial. If you choose "opt out" you can move to the final signature and submission.
Clear Signature
Use your mouse or finger to sign the form on the line above.