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Voluntary Work Help Exchanges With Horses
There are plenty of places around the world for horse riders to get a quick equine fix but only by volunteering can travellers hope to spend any length of time directly with horses. Most work exchange hosts will prefer volunteers to stay at least a month, but longer stays are often required.
Horse riding experience to a competent level is usually necessary but people with other skills may also be able to make themselves useful. Anyone who is useful in the garden, or cooking, for instance, will always find themselves coveted. In return for your hard work meals and accommodation will be provided along with the pleasure of working daily with your favourite animal.
Volunteer caring for Horses at our Sanctuary in Skyros, Greece
This animal welfare, conservation and education project in Greece has had over 200 volunteers since 2009. Most of the work is centred around a herd of very friendly skyrian ponies, mucking out fields, feeding, watering, grooming, keeping the yard and tack room clean, handling the ponies and helping with the upkeep of fences and stables.
Learn Polo in Argentina
Help out with the horses and tourist guests and you can sleep and eat for free in Argentina. An additional bonus is professional instruction in Polo. A competent horse rider is preferred but if you cook and have good Spanish then there could be a place for you too. A three month minimum stay is required.
To the west, in Mendoza, Covid cut short French Polish couple Mo and Angie’s ambitious plans to travel from Argentina to Mexico on horseback over the course of ten years. Instead, they bought land where they have been busy building a treehouse cabin, Mongolian yurt, swimming pool and converting a bus with Japanese style pods for volunteers helping with their project. Horse riding is just one of the many activities offered during downtime, with lessons available to beginners.
Living at a farmstay, gardening/farming, DIY projects, horses and farm animal upkeep, Pune, India
Before the colonial period, Indian’s equestrian history was very diverse and this host wants to revive the old connections with their horses. People who would love to experience Indian farm life are welcome – and welcomed by two geese on entering the farm – to get involved with various tasks including helping with horses.
Come join our family and help us with horse handling in Sao Teotonio, Portugal
Here you will be part of a family who love to share their knowledge about processing medical mushrooms and freedom based horse work. For this summer they are looking for people with riding experience who love to be around horses and are also are able to provide some help in simple tasks like fencing, woodwork, or gardening. Further north, there may be a paid opportunity with an equestrian livery and training stables in Obidos.
Support our animal welfare organisation for horses in Valencia, Spain
There’s no riding at this sanctuary where horses and other abused and abandoned animals have a second chance to live happily and know respect and love. Right now they need help with the daily care of the horses, and the maintenance and expansion of their facilities. Another opportunity to volunteer with rescue horses, dogs and cats can be found in Andalucia.
Come and enjoy daily horse riding on the beach in Leinster, Ireland
There are some household chores and dog/cat sitting to be done here but most of the time volunteers, who should be experienced riders, will be working directly with horses. Alternatively, near Carrickmacross, Ronald could use a hand looking after retired racehorses, or help out on a quaint rescue farm and learn how to build trust with animals in Kildare.
Come and work with us at our busy Horse Ranch near Vancouver, Canada
Cowgirls – they can’t host cowboys – can learn a lot as they help with all aspects of work at this busy ranch. This includes barn chores, brushing horses, tacking horses up, helping with meal prep and keeping the ranch clean. They also run a kids summer camp programme and need some help with that too. Accommodation, plenty to eat and payment are offered in return. Near Ontario, Lin has moved to a much larger farm from the one she previously shared with her 101 year old mother. She is looking forward to meeting animal lovers looking to ride or play with horses in peaceful Marmora, or consider volunteering on a non commercial, non profit, lakeside ranch in British Columbia.
If you are experienced with horses come and help out in New South Wales, Australia
You must be a capable horse rider, able to saddle and ride on your own at this haflinger stud. The family drive carriages for sport and are happy to teach you about carriage driving.
Volunteer helping us – we offer horseback riding tours
On the Pacific coast, Elsa offers horseback riding tours in and around Playa Junquilla and requires volunteer help about the place. Horse riding experience is a must here.
Animal refugee, fruit garden and farm on the beautiful island of Isabela, Galapagos, Ecuador
Looking after horses is just one of the roles assigned by this host and, to be honest, we don’t know how much of your day this will involve but you will be doing it in the Galapagos Islands, one of the most unique biodiversity hotspots on the planet. Accommodation is in a large tent, with a great mattress, plus all the fruit you can eat.
Image courtesy Ken Mayer
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