M.A.R.E. - Week 13

After a two-week break for Easter, I was back at MARE last Wednesday. Over the three or four months that I've been a MARE volunteer, I've seen volunteers come and go, just as they'll see me come and go. Last Wednesday, I let the trainers know that May 24th or 31st will be my last day, whichever is the end of the session. I had thought I would continue through the summer and on into the fall, but I have applied for an additional job in my district as a mentor to first year teachers. I'm 99% sure I'll be selected, but if not, I might consider going back to MARE. 

MARE's front walkway.

As mentor, I would be assigned one or two new teachers who either don't yet have a credential and are working to earn it or a teacher who has his or her credential but must now complete the Induction Program in order to clear it. I would still keep my position as a classroom teacher, but outside of our contract hours, I would meet with my mentees to help them through the year. The mentor position receives a stipend, so it's not exactly a "volunteer" position, but I feel it would check off my self-imposed need to give back obligation.

The newest recruit, Jo-Jo. He's a Shetland pony who is ADORABLE!

Last Wednesday, I was to be George's handler, but his young rider was unable to come. In some ways, I was glad. Over the few months that I've been at MARE, I've realized a few things. First, I do not like centerstage. I don't like to be in the spotlight. Instead, I prefer working behind the scenes. Being the horse handler or side walker are really visible jobs, but they're too much like both my real job and hobby - teacher and rider.  The jobs I have most enjoyed at MARE have been the ones that involved physical labor. I've dug ditches, cleaned stalls, hauled in equipment, filled feed buckets, cleaned tack, measured saddles, sorted pads, and my favorite - used the blower to clear the barn aisle and walk ways.

Hay weigh station.

During the brief what's next? conversation that followed once a second horse wasn't needed after all, I heard that some of the hay buckets still needed to be weighed and filled. I quickly volunteered once I knew that I wasn't needed as a side walker. Weighing out the hay for the horses is a job I enjoy. It's necessary and satisfying. Having only done it once before though, it took me a few tries to get the scale turned on, switched to pounds, and then zeroed out for each horses' bucket weight. Eventually, after filling and weighing Sadie's bucket three times, I finally got all of the steps done in the right order. With the last of the hay buckets filled, I loaded the Gator so that it was ready for feeding time.

It takes two trips to haul all of the hay inside.

Once the hay was was done, I went inside and cleaned Sadie's bridle. The Program Director had asked if I had been the one who had cleaned all of the stored bridles. She was thrilled with how nicely conditioned they were and asked if I could start working on the everyday, in-use bridles. I happily agreed and now plan to get at least one done each Wednesday until I leave.

​There was also a new volunteer. One thing I've noticed is that there is not a lot of camaraderie amongst the volunteers which could simply be because Wednesday's volunteer crew seems to have a lot of turnover. Either way, I made sure to include the volunteer while I was bringing in Haven and feeding. Event though she probably had a similar training to the one I had, I showed her how to bring horses in, which bucket of hay was for dinner, and how to turn both Reina and Knightly out. By the time the last horse was fed and tools stored, I looked around and realized I was yet again the last volunteer of the day. After chatting with both trainers for a few minutes, I said my goodbyes, turned in my name tag, and signed out.

I think I'll miss the place once I leave. The good thing is that I can always go back.