I started volunteering with Prairie Strides (then known as Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association – MRDA) in 2021, taking part in the first program session after a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. A long-time equestrian, both recreationally and professionally, I transferred to Winnipeg in February 2019, setting up a new home with my husband Mitch and our three rescue dogs.

As an officer in the RCMP, I was working a very high-stress role so, in 2021, after the isolation of the pandemic period, I decided that volunteering would be a great way to meet new friends and do something different, fun, and positive.

I have always been interested in therapeutic and adaptive riding, so discovering MRDA felt like a natural fit. It gave me the opportunity to give back to my community, help children, de-stress, and enjoy working around horses again.

I quickly filled out a volunteer application through their website, and the next day I received a call from the Executive Director, inviting me to a volunteer orientation session. Two weeks later, I started working as a barn manager during the Monday program evenings. I was hooked in no time.

I continued with my volunteer gig, working several 10-week sessions as a barn manager. During that time, MRDA re-branded itself to Prairie Strides, and I made a bunch of fast friends. In 2022, I retired from the RCMP, and my husband and I decided to stay in Winnipeg permanently.

I joined Prairie Strides’ Board of Directors in late 2022 and started training as an instructor in the adaptive riding program. Currently, I’m a Director on the Board, sit on a couple of committees, and I’m a co-instructor for the Wednesday evening program. And I still love every minute of it.

I highly recommend anyone interested in giving back to step up and volunteer with Prairie Strides. We always need barn help, horse leaders, and side-walkers. The time commitment is easy to manage! Simply sign up for either a Monday or Wednesday evening for a couple of hours over a 10-week program. Sessions run in both the spring and fall. Easy-peasy!

We’re also always on the lookout for new instructor candidates and Board members.

Come join us – you’ll make a difference, gain new friendships, and experience the pure joy of seeing our riders thrive. Hope to see you in the arena!

Jane McLatchy