WHEN I ARRIVED, THE GATES WERE CLOSED, WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

Zuma's is a very special place; we're not just a horse rescue. We also provide equine-assisted psychotherapy to children. This means that when therapy is in session, certain areas of the property are off limits in order to protect the privacy of the children in our program. If you arrive and the gates are closed, please do not attempt to enter the property. The gates are closed when the property is closed to visitors, for your safety and to ensure the privacy of our therapy clients.

If you intend to travel some distance to visit us, please make arrangements with us ahead of time to ensure that your visit will coincide with a time when we are able to accept visitors. Call us at 303-346-7493.

SOMEONE IN A CAR AHEAD OF ME HAS THE GATE CODE, CAN I DRIVE IN BEHIND THEM IF THE GATES WERE CLOSED?

NO! First, this is not safe. These gates are motorized and could cause injury or death if they close on you or your car. PLEASE do not try to squeeze in behind someone who had the code. Secondly, staff personnel have an access code to the gates, but if the gates are closed, they are closed for a reason, and closure of gates signifies that the property is closed to visitors at that time. Please respect the privacy of our therapy clients and the rules of the ranch, which are designed for everyone’s safety. See above.

I AM A HORSE PERSON, DO I NEED TO ATTEND THE VOLUNTEER TRAINING?

YES! ALL volunteers need to attend the training, regardless of past experience with horses. This is a large property with more than 30 horses on it. Each one is different. We do things a certain way, and even those with horse experience need to understand how things work here. No offense, but even experienced horsemen need to know our standard operating procedure before they can just jump in to help.

I WANT TO COME TO THE VOLUNTEER TRAINING, CAN I JUST SHOW UP WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT FOR ME?

SORRY, NO. Volunteer Training is held  1st and 4th Saturdays, beginning at 9:00 AM. Gates will open at or around 8:30 AM to allow new volunteers to enter for training. Because volunteer training requires the group to move around the 146-acre Ranch, trainers will not be able to greet and welcome visitors to the Ranch after the training has started. Therefore, gates will close at 9:15 to allow the training to proceed uninterrupted. If you wish to participate in the volunteer program, please plan accordingly.

WHAT DO I DO IF I WANT TO VISIT AND THE GATES ARE CLOSED?

Come back on Saturday between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, when the gates are open. Or, you can try calling us at 303-346-7493 to make arrangements to visit on other days. Please understand that we need to plan for you to ensure that someone is available to escort you safely on the property and answer your questions while maintaining the safety and privacy of our clients and horses. Therefore, please let us know in advance if you want to pay a visit and we will do our best to accommodate you.

CAN I BRING MY DOGS/CATS/BURROWS/CHILDREN?

MAYBE. This policy is subject to change, but we do currently allow FRIENDLY, VACCINATED dogs to visit the Ranch. If your dog has never been out to visit us before, please BRING PROOF OF CURRENT VACCINATIONS with you, and keep your dog on a leash. Dogs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are able to mix safely with the other people and animals on the property. We love animals, but we do ask that you leave your unsterilized dogs at home, and that you do not bring any fighting breeds with you. If you are not sure whether this applies to your dog, please call for more information BEFORE you bring your pet.

ON SATURDAYS, we have therapy sessions. Please consider leaving your dog at home on Saturday if you will be on the property during therapy times. If you do bring your dog on Saturdays, please keep them leashed to ensure they do not roam free and disrupt a therapy session in progress. If your dog is friendly, vaccinated, sterilized, and able to get along with other dogs on the property, he or she may relax in our dog run instead of being leashed. Dogs that are disruptive must be removed immediately.


CAN I DROP MY CHILD OFF TO VOLUNTEER AND PICK THEM UP LATER?

NO. If your child is old enough to drive, he or she may drive themselves-- IF and only if a parent has already provided a signed consent and liability waiver for children under the age of 18. If your child is under the age of 18, Zuma's requires that a parent accompany the child on his or her first visit to provide the necessary permissions and meet the staff. Please do not drop your minor children off with the expectation that you can pick them up later. A parent must remain on the property with minor children during their first visit, and with any child not old enough to drive themselves at all visits. If your child is old enough to drive and intends to be on the property without you, he or she MUST drive themselves.


CAN I ENTER THE PASTURES TO PET/RIDE/FEED/GROOM THE HORSES?

If you are a visitor who has not received volunteer training, the answer is NO. Once you have received the volunteer training, you may have access to certain pastures and certain horses for grooming, etc. Please keep in mind that we rescue horses, some of whom are sick, wild, untrained, fearful, and for a variety of other reasons, may not be appropriate for inexperienced horsemen to handle. This is for your safety and the comfort and safety of the horses. Please ask for assistance in determining which horses' pastures are off limits to non-staff personnel.

CAN I MAKE MY OWN SCHEDULE FOR VOLUNTEER TIME?

Yes, AFTER you've been properly trained. Please follow your trainers' guidelines regarding appropriate scheduling of volunteer time. As you get more familiar with the property, the Rules of the Ranch and the animals, it will be easier for you to design a volunteer schedule that suits both your needs and ours.

IS THIS SAFE?

Horses are large animals, and caring for them can be strenuous activity. Please ensure that you are healthy enough to participate if you wish to join us.If you want to volunteer in non-strenuous ways, contact us to see how you can help.

There is some risk that accompanies working around large animals and the equipment used to care for them. As such, volunteer applications and liability waivers must be obtained from visitors and volunteers before they are allowed to move freely on the property.

We value your interest and look forward to your involvement with our program, very much!