ACCESS ADVENTURE VOLUNTEER

I have been a horse lover all my life, but it was about 10 years ago while in Yellowstone Nat’l Park that I got a taste of what it feels like to be behind a draft horse, driving a wagon on land never traveled by car, bus, train, or any other modern convenience. It was the most exciting experience I can remember. I felt like a pioneer, like I truly stepped into a world from the past. I knew they that I had to learn to drive. I searched, very briefly, for someone to teach me, but living in Los Angeles didn’t afford me many choices. Actually, none, to be exact.

I moved up here to Fairfield, after marrying my husband Michael in October 2004. After spending a wonderful weekend at the Draft Horse Classic I set out to find a driving teacher. One woman I called suggested that I get a hold of Michael Muir. She had heard that he was starting a new driving program and that he might trade lessons for volunteer time. I jumped on that phone, and lo and behold, she was right, and better still, he was working right in my home town.

I have been a member of Access Adventure ever since. I never dreamt that being a volunteer could be so rewarding. I get to have hands on experience with horses. Grooming, harnessing, driving, training any time I want. I love working with the disabled people more than I imagined. We have formed a fantastic group of volunteers. Each of us has our own job given the time available in our schedule, and then we all join together for training sessions and driving events.

We have such a goodtime! My husband has never been a horse person, but he’s involved now as well. There is truly something here for everyone.