CHRISTCHURCH FARM FIELD GUIDE
A Day in the Barn: Weekend Volunteering at Arion Riding Centre
A hands-on, six-hour volunteer shift helping with horse care, lessons prep, training and paperwork at Arion Riding Centre in Christchurch — a practical guide for first-timers and returning helpers.
A Day in the Barn: Weekend Volunteering at Arion Riding Centre.
At Arion Riding Centre volunteers join the weekend staff to help with horse care and get horses ready for lessons, with organized volunteer days held during school holidays that combine practical training, bonding with horses and administrative checks such as waivers and health-and-safety paperwork.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands-on horse care and lesson prep
Volunteers work alongside weekend staff to groom, tack and prepare horses for lessons, gaining practical experience in everyday stable duties.
School-holiday volunteer days
Volunteer days are scheduled once every school holidays, offering structured training and time for bonding; these sessions also allow volunteers to bring paperwork up to date — waivers and health-and-safety checks are handled on site.
Perks, support and skill development
Volunteers gain access to perks, a supportive network and opportunities to grow their knowledge and expertise in horse care while working with experienced staff.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
A typical volunteer day at Arion is practical and focused: arrive for a six-hour shift, check in and complete or update required paperwork, then spend the day grooming, tacking and preparing horses for lessons while participating in hands-on training and supervised bonding time with the animals.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this volunteering fits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Each volunteer shift runs for 6 hours.
Appropriate outdoor clothes, wet weather gear, food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (the on-site Farm Park Cafe sells snacks only), gumboots or riding boots, and a water bottle to refill from fresh water on site.
If you are new to volunteering at Arion, send a request to join to [email protected] before registering for volunteer-only days or events.
Volunteers have the opportunity to sign up every week when the booking option is available.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How do I become a volunteer?
Send an email to [email protected] to sign up for an available training day.
How often can I volunteer?
You have the opportunity to volunteer every week; there will be a booking option available.
What happens during volunteer days?
Volunteer days include hands-on training, grooming and preparing horses for lessons, bonding activities and updating required paperwork such as waivers and health-and-safety forms.
Are there any on-site food options?
The Farm Park Cafe on site sells snacks only, so volunteers should bring morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea if they need full meals.
Do I need special footwear or gear?
Bring appropriate shoes—gumboots or riding boots—wet weather gear and appropriate outdoor clothing; volunteers should also bring water bottles (fresh water is available on site).