Volunteers always Welcome and Appreciated
Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. We are always looking for people to help out around the Sanctuary. If you or anyone you know has access to resources such as skilled trades then you are more than welcome to help out. Whether you are a wrecker or a builder there is always lots of projects at the Sanctuary. Fencing is always an ongoing chore, post holes to dig, stakes to pound.
Without Volunteers Handibear Hills could not survive or be what it is today without the growing support and dedication of everyone with a passion of horses.
Volunteer List of Wonders
🐱 Cats
- Sparkles, Tiggy, and Anonymous
- Maintain 2 feeding stations
- Clean and manage litter bins
🐶 Dog
- Sadie
- Feed in the apartment
- Enjoys a carrot or two
🐴 Herd Care
- Cleanout
- Feeding
- Water
- Reduce dust in manger and surrounding areas
🩺 Treating Ailments
- Chairo
- Back leg and eyes
- Morning care: front leg
- Massage and crushed carrots
- Prince
- Medications
- Massage
- Daily walking
- Watch all animals for rain rot on backs
🧹 Barn & Equipment
- Barn cleaner maintenance
- Hatches
- Winter timing
- Outdoor water tub upkeep
- Hay bales outside
- Remove string/webbing
- Tack cleaning
- Market old tack after cleaning
- Braid rump ropes and ties
When Weather Improves ☀️
🚶 Walkways & Fencing
- Restore walkways in the East Grove
- Walk and repair fences at the barn paddock
- Walk and restore fences in the Summer Pasture
(Also known as the Jurassic Park experience)
🌱 Land & Weed Management
- Pull noxious weeds:
- Tansy ragwort
- Deadly nightshade
- Wild cucumber
- Burdock
- Restore spring and extend pond in the apple grove
- Thin out the apple grove
- Clear the back 30 trails post-Fiona
🌳 Adventure Grove (by the Barn)
- Trimming and cleanup
- Restore:
- Hobbit House
- Dragon
- Brick play pit
- Trampoline
- Remove wild cherry trees with black knot
🌼 Gardening
- Restore garden beds after winter
- Ongoing weed control
🔥 Fire Circle
- Fill in old pond with suitable materials
- Fix bench
🐱 Cat Care
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Cats | Sparkles, Tiggy & Anonymous | 15 min |
| Feeding Stations | Clean & refill 2 stations | 20 min |
| Litter Bins | Scoop & refresh | 15 min |
🐶 Dog
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Sadie | Feed in apartment | 10 min |
| Treat Time | Carrots (1–2) | 5 min |
🐴 Herd Care
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding | All herd members | 30 min |
| Water | Check & refill | 15 min |
| Cleanout | Stalls / areas | 30–60 min |
| Dust Control | Ledges & surfaces | 20 min |
🩺 Treating Ailments
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chairo – AM Care | Front leg care, massage, crushed carrots | 20 min |
| Chairo – PM Care | Back leg & eyes | 15 min |
| Rain Rot Check | All animals | 10 min |
| Prince – Meds | Administer medications | 10 min |
| Prince – Massage | Gentle bodywork | 15 min |
| Walk Prince | Lead walk | 20–30 min |
🧹 Barn & Equipment
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Barn Cleaner | Check hatches & operation | 15 min |
| Outdoor Water Tub | Dump, scrub, refill | 20 min |
| Hay Area | Remove string/webbing | 20 min |
| Tack Cleaning | Clean & condition | 30–60 min |
| Tack Sorting | Prep old tack for sale | 30 min |
| Rope Braiding | Rump ropes & ties | 30 min |
When Weather Improves ☀️
🚶 Walkways & Fencing
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| East Grove Walkways | Restore paths | 1–2 hrs |
| Barn Paddock Fences | Walk & repair | 1 hr |
| Summer Pasture Fences | Full walk-through (“Jurassic Park”) | 2–3 hrs |
🌱 Land & Weed Management
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pull Noxious Weeds | Tansy, nightshade, cucumber, burdock | 1 hr |
| Pond Restoration | Extend spring in apple grove | 2–3 hrs |
| Apple Grove | Thin trees | 1–2 hrs |
🌳 Adventure Grove (by the Barn)
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Trimming & Cleanup | General clearing | 1–2 hrs |
| Restore Play Areas | Hobbit House, Dragon, brick pit | 2 hrs |
| Trampoline Area | Clear & reset | 1 hr |
| Remove Wild Cherry | Trees with black knot | 2–3 hrs |
🌼 Gardening
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Restore Beds | After winter | 1–2 hrs |
| Weed Control | Ongoing maintenance | 30–60 min |
🔥 Fire Circle
| Task | Description | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fix Bench | Repair or stabilize | 1 hr |
| Fill Old Pond | Use available materials | 1–2 hrs |
Thanks to all who have helped this past year, some with physical labour, some with money, some with encouragement and care for the horses. These are not my words because I could not say them better, so for the New Year.
I Wish For You
Comfort on Difficult Days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
and love to complete your life.
Love and Hugs Yogi