Volunteer With Hooves Haven Rescue

Your time saves horses’ lives

Hooves Haven Rescue could not operate without volunteers. From daily horse care on our Asheville property to remote tasks like social media, grant writing, and transport coordination — there is a meaningful role for almost every skill set. Whether you can give two hours a week or two days a month, we will put your time to work for the horses.

Volunteer Roles Available

On-Site Roles (Asheville, NC)

These roles require in-person presence at our facility or transport routes. We ask on-site volunteers to commit to a minimum of one shift per week for at least three months.

Horse Handler / Caretaker	Daily feeding, watering, mucking stalls, grooming, and basic health observation. No prior experience required — full training provided. Minimum age: 16.
Groundwork Assistant	Help with basic desensitization, halter training, and leading exercises for horses in early rehabilitation. Some horse experience preferred.
Transport Volunteer	Drive or assist with pickup and delivery of horses. Must have a valid driver’s license. Horse trailer experience is a plus but not required — training available.
Veterinary / Farrier Assistant	Assist during scheduled vet and farrier visits. Hold horses, take notes, assist with equipment. Equine handling experience required.
Photography / Videography	Photograph and film horses for adoption profiles and social media. Own equipment preferred. Horse-safe behavior around horses required.
Event / Fundraiser Help	Assist at adoption events, fundraisers, and community outreach activities in the Asheville area.

Remote Roles (Anywhere in the USA)

These roles can be performed from home and are ideal for supporters who live outside the Asheville area or who prefer flexible scheduling.

Social Media Volunteer	Create and schedule posts for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok featuring our horses and adoption stories. Experience with social media management tools preferred.
Grant Research & Writing	Research grant opportunities for equine nonprofits and help draft grant applications. Experience with nonprofit grant writing strongly preferred.
Website Content Support	Help write, edit, or update website content and blog posts. Writing experience and familiarity with WordPress preferred.
Adoption Application Review Support	Review incoming adoption application submissions and assist the adoption coordinator with follow-up communications. Equine knowledge helpful.
Foster Family Mentor	Provide guidance and support to new foster families by phone or email. Prior horse fostering or ownership experience required.
Transport Coordination	Help coordinate transport logistics between intake locations, foster homes, and adopters. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required.

Volunteer Requirements

Must be 16 years of age or older (under 18 requires parental consent form)
Completion of a one-time volunteer orientation (online or in-person)
Agreement to our Volunteer Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver
On-site volunteers: closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing at all times around horses
No prior horse experience required for most on-site care roles — full training provided
Remote volunteers: reliable internet access and a commitment to deadlines

Not ready to volunteer full time?

If you’d like to support horses with less commitment, consider fostering — you provide a temporary home for a horse in need while we cover vet and farrier costs, typically for weeks to a few months.

→ Learn about our Foster Program: hooveshavenrescue.com/foster/

How to Apply

Applying to volunteer takes about 10 minutes. Here’s what to expect:

Fill out the volunteer application form below
Our Volunteer Coordinator will review your application and contact you within 5–7 business days
If selected, you will be invited to a brief orientation (online or in-person)
Complete the orientation and sign your Volunteer Agreement
Start your first shift or remote assignment — and meet the horses!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need horse experience to volunteer?

No. Many of our most valuable on-site volunteers arrived with zero horse experience and learned everything they needed during orientation. What matters most is reliability, calmness around large animals, and a genuine desire to help. We will teach you the rest.

Can I volunteer remotely if I don't live near Asheville?

Absolutely. Our remote volunteer roles are designed for supporters anywhere in the USA. Social media management, grant writing, website content, and foster mentoring are all done entirely online.

Is volunteering covered by liability insurance?

All volunteers are asked to sign a Liability Waiver before beginning their role. Hooves Haven Rescue carries general liability insurance. Please read the Volunteer Agreement carefully — if you have questions, contact us before signing.

Can I bring my children to volunteer?

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Children under 16 may visit during specific family-friendly events, but are not able to participate in regular on-site volunteer shifts due to insurance and safety requirements.

Can volunteering lead to a paid role?

From time to time, Hooves Haven Rescue does hire for part-time and contract roles. Volunteers who demonstrate strong skills and commitment are always considered first for any paid opportunities.

🐴 Ready to help?

Fill out our volunteer application and our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch within 5–7 business days.

Email: info@hooveshavenrescue.com

Phone: +1 (323) 435-8065 (Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm ET)

Or apply online: hooveshavenrescue.com/volunteer/apply/