The Heart of Our Association: The Volunteer Community
In a world where outdoor sports are frequently commodified, our association stands out as a vibrant testament to the power of citizen volunteering (bénévolat). We do not measure our wealth in monetary turnover, but in the collective hours of care, maintenance, teaching, and companionship freely contributed by our members.
Every clean paddock, every well-brushed horse, every restored public bridleway, and every smile from a disabled child atop a gentle pony is made possible by our dedicated volunteer brigade. Whether you have decades of equestrian experience or have never touched a horse before in your life, there is an essential, rewarding place for you at Le Chemin de Chausse.
Statutory Public Interest Reinvestment Guarantee
"All membership fees and dues are fully reinvested in the association's public interest missions."
Our volunteer policy adheres to national non-profit civic charters. All active volunteers are covered under our comprehensive institutional civil liability insurance and are supported through structured mentorship from certified instructors.
Volunteer Engagement Pathways & Areas of Service
We offer diverse, flexible pathways for volunteers to contribute according to their unique talents, schedules, and interests:
1. Equine Care & Daily Stable Assistance
Assist our technical team with morning and evening feeding routines, checking water troughs, measuring grain, brush-grooming our therapy horses, and maintaining dry, hygienic stalls. This is an ideal role for individuals who seek quiet, meditative contact with animals and enjoy physical outdoor exercise in clean country air.
2. Side-Walking & Adapted Riding Support
Work alongside our adapted physical sports instructors during Thursday and Saturday therapy sessions. Volunteers act as "side-walkers," walking gently alongside mounted participants with disabilities to provide physical stability, moral encouragement, and emotional reassurance. No prior riding expertise is required; full training in safety spotting and gentle interaction is provided.
3. Trail Stewardship & Pasture Maintenance Brigade
Join our monthly outdoor work parties on the first Sunday of every month. Volunteers clear fallen branches from rural bridleways, repair wooden paddock fencing, plant native hedgerow saplings, and maintain biodiversity corridors throughout Saint-Victor-d'Épine. It is a wonderful way to enjoy teamwork, meet neighbors, and preserve our shared Normandy countryside.
4. Community Hospitality, Catering & Event Logistics
Help organize our seasonal non-profit gymkhanas, open house discovery days, and annual General Assembly gatherings. Duties include welcoming visitors, setting up informational displays, preparing tea and local snacks, and taking event photography for our public archives.
Step-by-Step Volunteer Onboarding Pathway
We ensure that every volunteer feels welcomed, valued, and fully prepared before taking on responsibilities. Our structured four-step onboarding process includes:
Step 1: Informal Discovery Visit
Come visit Le Chemin de Chausse on a Saturday morning. Walk the grounds, meet our herd of cobs and ponies, chat with current volunteers, and experience the warm, unhurried atmosphere of our stables.
Step 2: Welcome Orientation & Safety Clinic
Attend a two-hour orientation session led by Technical Director Claire Beaumont. You will learn foundational equine behavioral cues, safe approach methods around large horses, tack room protocols, and emergency evacuation procedures.
Step 3: Mentored Pairing
During your first three volunteer shifts, you are paired one-on-one with a seasoned volunteer mentor who guides you through daily routines, answers your questions, and ensures you feel confident and comfortable in every task.
Step 4: Signing the Civic Commitment Charter
Once you are ready to join our regular rotation, you sign our official Volunteer Commitment Charter. This document formalizes your volunteer status, provides institutional insurance coverage, and outlines our mutual ethical commitments to animal welfare, mutual respect, and public service.
Volunteer Rights, Legal Safeguards & Institutional Insurance
Volunteering at ASS EQUESTRE DU RELAIS DU CHAUSSE is supported by formal institutional safeguards:
- Comprehensive Civil Liability Protection: Every registered volunteer is fully covered by our association's sports and civic liability insurance policy through the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) from the moment they step onto the grounds.
- No Financial Burden: All required personal protective gear (high-visibility safety vests, gloves, tools, training handbooks) is supplied free of charge by the association. We also provide warm communal refreshments and lunch during weekend trail-clearing parties.
- Academic & Professional Skill Validation: Students and job seekers may request formal volunteer service certificates detailing hours logged and practical competencies acquired (equine handling, event logistics, trail maintenance), which can be submitted for university credits or civil service portfolios (Passeport Bénévole).
A Volunteer Reflection
"Volunteering at the Chausse stables transformed my weekends. Seeing a child who was initially terrified of horses gently groom an old cob with a smile is the most rewarding feeling in the world. The team feels like family, and there is zero commercial ego—just genuine kindness and shared purpose." — Élodie R., Volunteer Side-Walker since 2023.
Volunteer Application & Registration Form
Ready to take the first step? Complete the non-monetized registration form below. Submitting this form does not require any payment or financial obligation. Our Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with you promptly.
Questions Before Registering?
Our volunteer coordination committee is happy to answer any questions regarding schedules, accessibility accommodations, or student internship credits.