Volunteer, How You Can Help

Volunteers are the heartbeat of Barnabas. Whether it’s grooming horses, mucking stalls, assisting with equine assisted therapy, coaching, and learning sessions, fundraising, or helping at an event, we have a place for you! No experience? No problem! We will help you learn everything you need to know.

Here are ways you can be involved:

Horse Feeding and Care

this includes feeding, grooming, bathing, holding horses for the farrier, etc.

Farm Chores

this includes mucking stalls, mowing, weed eating, cleaning water troughs, dragging the pastures, keeping the barn clean and fences in good repair, etc.

Fundraising

Feeding twenty-five therapy horses is not cheap! You can help by promoting events, acquiring silent auction items, join the crafting committee, and selling T-shirts, squeeze horses, and horseshoe art. You can also have your own peer-to-peer fundraising campaign on social media with the proceeds being donated to Barnabas. Every little bit counts!

Events

We host several FUN and meaningful events throughout the year, and there are so many ways to share your passion for all things Barnabas!

Kick off the year by joining us in February for Wine, Dine, and Everything Equine, a lively wine-tasting fundraiser that brings our community together in support of healing through horses.

Prefer something a little more elegant? Join us in April for An Afternoon Tea with Barnabas, a charming and intimate event where volunteers help create a welcoming, beautifully styled experience for our guests.

Love a little action and teamwork? Help out in May at the Pony Up for Barnabas Pickleball Classic, a high-energy, crowd-favorite tournament benefiting our therapy horses and the individuals they serve.

Enjoy getting dressed up? Lend a hand at our Black Tie Optional Bingo Gala in September, one of our most anticipated and festive events of the year.

In December, sign up for Hot Chocolate and Horses, held at the beautiful Barnabas farm. Volunteers help welcome more than 600 community members who come to meet our therapy horses, enjoy FREE photos with Santa in an antique sleigh, and warm up with delicious hot chocolate and homemade cookies.

Do you enjoy talking with people and sharing our mission? Sign up for a two-hour volunteer shift at community outreach opportunities such as the Home Builders’ Show, Blessing of the Inlet, victim advocacy conferences, and more.

Love to serve? Decorate? Organize? We invite you to join one or more of our volunteer teams:
Wine, Dine, and Everything Equine · Afternoon Tea with Barnabas · Pony Up for Barnabas Pickleball Classic · Black Tie Optional Bingo Gala · Hot Chocolate and Horses

There’s truly a place for everyone at Barnabas—and we’d love to have you on the team.

Whether you have two hours available once a month, once a week, or every day, we could use the help. It takes a village to keep the barn doors open!

Volunteers must be eighteen years of age or older and undergo a background check. To get started, email Volunteers@BarnabasHorse.org or Info@BarnabasHorse.org.

A Few Words From Our Volunteers

Andrea L. (Volunteer)

When I attended the Hot Chocolate and Horses open house in December of 2023, I’d never heard of Barnabas or its mission. I spontaneously decided to go, not knowing what to expect. After living in Lexington, Kentucky for years, I knew that I liked being around horses, but that was the extent of it.

At the event, there was a tree with horse photos and names to buy a holiday gift for. I immediately grabbed the tag labeled Doodlebug, as that’s my sister-in-law’s nickname.

From that day, I was hooked.

I’d been looking for a volunteer opportunity for a couple of years and was intentionally seeking work that was beneficial for the recipients of the services while at the same time not being emotionally depleting for me. After having spent the last two decades volunteering with addiction organizations, I wanted to give of myself, but be uplifted as well. That is exactly what I found at Barnabas. I knew nothing about horse care; I just knew that being around them made me feel at peace.

Countless individuals will never know who I am, and the anonymity of my service was appealing to me as well. I was not seeking accolades; I was seeking purpose.

I’ve learned a lot over the past two years, and have developed some very special equine friendships. Their affection keeps me coming back week after week, as well as the knowledge that this community depends on what we, as volunteers, contribute.

Andrea L. (Volunteer)

Jenn M. (Volunteer)

Volunteering at Barnabas is an honor because I believe the work they do is so important to the community. The herd at Barnabas (both human and horse) are the sweetest souls and always a pleasure to be around.

Jenn M. (Volunteer)

Cynthia H. (Volunteer)

“After losing my sister — an accomplished horsewoman — I prayed to the Good Lord for guidance. I wanted to do something that would honor her memory and make a quiet difference. When I found Barnabas through an online search and read your mission — supporting first responders and others navigating trauma — I knew I’d been led to the right place. Coming from a family of first responders, the connection felt deeply personal.

At Barnabas, I care for the horses: changing water, feeding, cleaning stalls and feeders. I work alongside a team of kind, steady volunteers, tending to the daily rhythms that help the herd feel safe and well. Though my role is behind the scenes, it’s a meaningful way to serve — a way to remember, to contribute, and to carry forward a legacy of care.”

Cynthia H.

Andrea L. (Volunteer)

Since moving to SC, I’d been looking for a volunteer opportunity that was beneficial for the recipients while at the same time not being emotionally draining for myself, having spent the last two decades volunteering with addiction groups. When I discovered Barnabas, my prayers were answered. I knew nothing about horse care, I just knew that being around these animals made me feel at peace. I have learned a great deal over the past 7 months and am thrilled that I get to help others; people I will most likely never meet, but that wouldn’t be able to get the care they need if I didn’t do my part behind the scenes.

Andrea L. (Volunteer)

Bonnie F. (Volunteer)

I first wanted to volunteer to be around horses again. I grew up with horses and have not had the opportunity to care for them or just be around the smells and the deep feeling of peace when I am around them. I am also a first responder and a victim of violent crime. I understood how horse therapy could be so successful. I wish I had more time to spend helping this foundation. These strong women that run the foundation are an inspiration and want me to just do better, be better, and help this community at the most basic level. This is a great resource for the mental health community.

Bonnie F. (Volunteer)

Joann P. (Volunteer)

My experience volunteering at Barnabas Horse Foundation is educational and a privilege. The staff is the hardest working team. They work tirelessly with the sessions they have, caring for each horse and its needs, teaching all the volunteers, and all the administrative duties that go along with Barnabas. Each shift I work I feel myself understanding my relationship with each horse, which changes from shift to shift at times. I’m opening up to the energy work done here as well. The volunteers all help each other as well as the staff and horses. The nurturing atmosphere welcomes all. I’m privileged and blessed to be working with all who step onto the property.

Joann P. (Volunteer)

Joanne (Volunteer)

I love my time as a volunteer at Barnabas because I have formed wonderful relationships with both people and horses. I believe fully in what Barnabas stands for and that’s why I choose to give my time freely here.

Joanne (Volunteer)

Melissa (Volunteer)

I was fascinated with the idea of equine therapy and decided Barnabas was the perfect place to volunteer. Now, it’s the highlight of my week. Time slows down when I step into the barn and gives me a sense of peace and relaxation. Working with the horses is hard and messy but I find it one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Melissa (Volunteer)

Dave (Volunteer)

To me, it is rewarding to give my time to feed & take care of the animals at Barnabas Horse Foundation, and ask for nothing in return, A simple “Thank You”, at the end of my shift, means a world of appreciation, and as a Veteran the work they do for us can’t be put into words.

Having learned of their mission, and each horse’s life story, has been an experience and an honor to be a part of it.

Dave (Volunteer)

Kim R. (Volunteer)

Love volunteering at Barnabas, feels like extended family. Love seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces and the progress they have made from their first day. The kindness and care shown to the horses is exemplary!

Kim R. (Volunteer)