Join our horse volunteer program and consequently enjoy the many therapeutic benefits of interacting with horses while indulging in the calm of our surroundings.

A Lifestyle Experience

Compared to most volunteer programs, we offer more of a lifestyle experience. To clarify, joining our volunteer program means to get to know what the day-to-day doings of running a horse riding establishment consist of. Furthermore through assistance in the taking care and training of our horses, volunteers learn about the natural horsemanship philosophy. They also gain a deeper understanding of general equine care and management.

Again this is not your typical volunteer experience and potential volunteers will need to be independent and mature. Additionally volunteers will need to be comfortable living with others or alone depending on the situation. Because of the training of the young horses, riding experience is a prerequisite together with a weight limit of 70kg. Volunteers also need to have at least a basic level of English and between 18 and 55 years of age. We can accommodate from 1 to 3 volunteers at a time, with a 2 – 8 weeks.

Typical Day

Most of our horses live mainly out in the field, while a few are kept in the paddocks around the stables. Depending on the bookings, some days can be extremely busy while conversely others will be much more quiet. Weekends are usually the busiest times and time off takes place during the week when there are no bookings. There are however daily tasks which starts at 7h00 and ends when all is done. The typical day-to-day and weekly tasks includes:

• Maintenance, repair, and cleaning of paddocks and stables
• General equine care and management
• Preparing horses before and after rides for clients.
• Riding of young horses
• Feeding and grooming of the horses
• Cleaning and maintenance of tack
• Clearing of riding trails
• Assist in checking the guest accommodation on weekends

Sometimes there will be involvement in the wild horses of the Kaapsehoop escarpment. There are between 150 and 180 free roaming horses in the area and assistance may be required with injured horses or orphaned foals. For more information on these horses visit www.kaapsehoopwildhorses.co.za.

Living Arrangements

Living arrangements are comfortable and safe however basic. The accommodation is on site where you are surrounded by nature and the horses and at times will include the guests in our farm-style accommodation.

In view of the closest city being 35km away on a winding road down the mountain, volunteers will need to be at ease with open space and being away from anything that resembles a city. The 30 minute trip to Nelspruit is done once a week when volunteers get the opportunity for shopping. Kaapsehoop village is 7km away, and is a typical small tourist town with no big shops, in fact there are only a few restaurants and pubs, small speciality and art shops and a basic convenience store. 

As stated before that this programme differs from the typical volunteer programmes, volunteers will be responsible for cooking their own meals. They will receive a weekly allowance and a trip is made once a week for food shopping. Guidance and advice will also be given as to what to buy as well as local foods. The accommodation is equipped with basic cooking facilities so that meals can be prepared easily.

Laundry will be done once a week.

There is no wifi or tv available and we recommend volunteers to bring a laptop/tablet along. Data bundles can be purchased on site. One can also go for short walks around the stable yard or just relax in the garden.

On very hot days, if possible, a swim in the waterfall is a welcomed refresher.

Free Time

Volunteers can choose how to spend their free time. Various activities are available so that volunteers can also explore what the Lowveld has to offer including: 

• A day trip or multiple day trips to the world famous Kruger National Park.
• A day trip following the Panorama Route with its breath taking views and waterfalls, the Blyde River Canyon, which is the largest green canyon in the world, God’s Window and the big swing for the more adventurous at the Graskop Gorge Lift.
• Interaction with the elephants in Hazyview.
• Opportunity for horse riding in a game reserve.
• Hiking and scotours around Kaapsehoop.
  

These and much more can be done during the week, as weekends are our busier times and all hands are needed on deck. They are also for the volunteer’s own account.

Follow your passion for horses and join our lifestyle experience program

Contact us for more information or to make a booking for a unique lifestyle experience

Click on the images below to see videos created by our volunteers: