Northern Baltimore, Maryland Sherwood Gardens is a privately owned community park, originally called Stratford Green. The Park is Olmsted designed and in the center of a residential community called Guilford located in Northern Baltimore City. Guilford, another Olmsted designed gem, dates back to 1913 and is a Registered Historic District significant for its planning, its architecture, and Sherwood Gardens. VISIT SITE→

"Sophia’s Oasis For Equines, Inc. (SOFE), is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, equine welfare organization located in the State of Maryland.  We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of equines in need; assisting equines in situations of neglect, abuse or the  threat of slaughter.  We are also dedicated to assisting other equine rescue organizations located in the tri-state area, New Jersey and Delaware to save equines from the slaughter pipeline.  Additionally, we desire to help the BLM mustangs whenever possible.  We are dedicated to educating the public regarding the standards of care required to maintain an equine as a riding partner and/or companion animal in a humane manner." Volunteering for a horse rescue can be both physically and emotionally difficult but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Helping a horse go from near starvation to a happy, healthy home can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. And, the best part is you only need two things help, a big heart and a willingness to help. Volunteering at SOFE is a wonderful family experience. Make it a family event!! All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a waiver formed signed by a parent or legal guardian. Learn more about becoming a volunteer→

4502 Old National Pike Mount Airy, Maryland 21771 Stablemates Inc. has been a family-owned and operated Equestrian Store since 1965. We stock a large variety of products for both English and Western riders at all skill levels. Visit Site→

STAR Equestrian Center serves abled and challenged riders in many types of equine activities. STAR is accredited through Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) and is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) operating center. As a full spectrum equine learning facility, our vision is to serve children and adults of all cognitive, physical, and social abilities. We strive to enhance quality of life by attending to the mind, body and spirit of each rider, volunteer and participant.​ Volunteers are the heart of STAR Equestrian Center! Without their dedication, loyalty and hard work, it would not be possible for us to fulfill our mission. While some of our volunteers have experience with horses or working with people with special needs, it is by no means a requirement. All of our volunteers, no matter their experience, attend an orientation to familiarize themselves with our safety and operational procedures. STAR Equestrian Center offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, some of which require horse experience, but many do not.  Learn more about becoming a volunteer→

Looking for something fun to do this summer without taking a week off from work? There are plenty of interesting and horse-related things to do right here in Maryland! Below are our staff’s favorite places and things to do within the Free State related to horses, all wrapped into one-day trips. Learn More→

Taking the Lead at Timberbrook Farm offers therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy programs to help children and adults with disabilities increase their focus, communication, strength, and self confidence. Do you have a skill or strength that you would like to share with adults and children with disabilities? Ongoing opportunities include hospitality, gardening, sidewalking (walking alongside horses during therapy session), and maintenance around the farm. Unique opportunities are available for communication and marketing students or professionals, experienced horse handlers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, speech, occupational, and physical therapists, special educators and students. Learn more about becoming a volunteer→

Talisman Therapeutic Riding offers specialized programs year-round, six days a week. All instructors are PATH International Certified Trained Instructors. Therapists are Maryland Licensed.  Talisman serves families from throughout Maryland, northern Virginia, Delaware and Washington DC. The popularity and diversity of our programs offers all with abilities and disabilities to find peace and healing. We are small on staff and BIG ON VOLUNTEERISM. Volunteers are always needed and training is offered twice a month. Learn more about volunteering at TTR→

Sign up for the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation e-newsletter to get the latest steeplechasing news and more! Learn more→

The Big Purple Barn provides a permanent home with a lifetime of compassionate care for special needs horses, ponies, minis, as well as sheep, goats, and pigs. Our residents, in turn, provide opportunities in our community for people to make meaningful connections with our animals. Providing attention and care for 15 equines, many of which have special needs, as well as pigs, goats, sheep and cats every day, is a critical task at the farm. That is why we developed a volunteer program. Our volunteers are an invaluable part of our programs. Volunteers typically sign up to perform evening feed shifts which include feeding the horses, mucking of stalls and fields and weather appropriate tasks such as blanketing, bathing and trough scrubbing. Shifts typically occur in the late afternoon/early evening and last from 1 to 3 hours depending on the amount of volunteers assigned to a shift. Many volunteers like to spend extra time with a special horse they connect with. The horses enjoy the additional treats, grooming and extra attention. We accept volunteers as young as 10 to work under supervision in the barn. No horse experience is required and we provide continual training. Learn more about becoming a volunteer→

“The Buzz” is the Maryland Agricultural Foundation’s monthly e-newsletter packed with information and opportunities for educators, including agricultural education programs, grant opportunities, events, workshops, and more! Learn more→