South Bucks RDA Group Helpers Guide

All new volunteers will receive training before beginning hands-on helping with the Group.

The "Helpers' Guide", reproduced here, is not a comprehensive guide and does not cover the entire training programme. This guide does not replace the group's training events. This guide is intended to give potential volunteers some information on what might be expected of them, should they volunteer, and what we, and other RDA groups, are looking for from volunteer helpers.

What makes a good helper?

• being over 14 years of age, and keen to help us offer our riders and drivers professional and rewarding riding and driving
• unlimited patience, dedication and enthusiasm
• reliability, a sense of humour and sociability
• giving riders/drivers as much independence as possible
• supporting and encouraging achievement
• being able to see what needs to be done and the willingness to do it, from making the coffee to mucking out
• being empathic and sympathetic but not sentimental
• an interest in people and horses
• willingness to learn, attend training days (one per year) and ask questions if in doubt
• knowing who your instructor is, in any particular lesson
• knowing who has First Aid training and is available on-site

What do helpers wear?

• stout footwear
• gloves (even in hot weather)
• no jewellery
• warm clothing, especially in winter. Layers are best
• a fastened jacket. Flapping jackets scare ponies and horses
• nothing too brightly coloured
• long hair is lovely - please make sure it's tied back
• fancy dress costumes, when required!

Guidance on grooming and tacking up

• when grooming, check the pony over. Tell the Stable Manager, or your instructor, if you think anything is untoward - no matter how small
• pay particular attention to your pony's feet. If you think there's a piece of wood or a stone stuck in its hoof, let the Stable Manager, or your instructor, know immediately
• do not use a brush on the pony's tail
• check you have the appropriate tack for the pony and rider/driver e.g. bar saddle, coloured, ladder or looped reins, head collar and lead rope or nose band
• if tack is changed for a particular rider e.g. stirrups, make certain it's changed back after the ride. Store removed tack on the pony's name peg
• make sure the neck strap is in the centre of the girth when tightened
• when ponies are not working but are standing tacked-up, loosen the girth, run up stirrups and twist reins with throat lash
• do not feed the ponies unless requested to by the Stable Manager - no titbits

Leading and side helping hints

• before taking your pony to the mounting block, check all tack and tighten the girth
• riders must only mount with an instructor or physiotherapist present
• leaders should walk by the pony's shoulder, not in front of it - never tow the pony along
• side helpers take care of your rider, leaders take care of your pony
• always face forwards when walking
• be alert at all times, but not tense - be positive
• allow and encourage your rider to do what they can
• in the event of an emergency, stay with your own rider, unless otherwise requested by your instructor
• if you're unsure about anything, ask your instructor

What else can helpers do?

• always read the notice-board and newsletters for information and requests for help
• assist with props and costumes for musical rides (lots of work goes into preparing riders and ponies, like Ben Fisher and Treacle, pictured on the right)
• publicise South Bucks RDA Group whenever possible - information booklets are available and you can direct people to our web site
• pass useful contacts on to the Group Organiser
• assist with the administration of the Group
• help with fund-raising activities
• attend shows and events off-site

Who to ask for help and advice

Who	What they do/who they are
Clive Milkins	Stable Manager, Chief Instructor & First Aid Officer (also, RDA Regional Instructor)
Carly Baker	Groom
Lizzy Newsome	Groom
Your instructor
Di Redfern	Trustee & Group Chairman
Heather Devany	Trustee & Web Site Editor
Susan Phipps	Trustee & Group Secretary
Theresa Drake	Trustee, Instructors' Representative
Ian Fullerton	Trustee & Group Treasurer
Rosalind Russell	Newsletter Editor