A Horse Volunteer Experience
Where horsemanship becomes a journey of
learning, care, and self-discovery.
It’s well documented that volunteering offers numerous emotional, physical, and social benefits.
In addition, both scientific studies and personal experiences have shown that interacting with horses can greatly enhance mental well-being — fostering happiness, calm, and confidence.
Time spent with horses also supports physical health, improving balance, coordination, and muscle strength.
And being outdoors in the fresh air and natural surroundings rejuvenates both body and mind.
Experience life in harmony with horses:
a journey of growth and connection
Through our Volunteer Experience with Horses, we aim to nurture a love for learning and create opportunities for new skills and life-changing experiences to take root.
We especially wish to support young adults in shaping their life paths and careers, while cultivating emotional well-being and resilience.
With our Volunteer Experience you will:
Our Horse Volunteer Program is more than just an opportunity — it’s a lifestyle experience.
Rather than a typical volunteer placement, we invite you to live and learn alongside horses, embracing a way of life that’s both grounding and transformative.
Duration:
Our program runs for a minimum of 10 days up to 8 weeks
We can accommodate 1-3 volunteers at a time
Requirements:
- Riding experience to at least an intermediate level with basic knowledge of working with horses. The more experienced rider will enjoy more opportunities to participate in activities such as the training and schooling of young horses.
- It is essential that volunteers are between 18-50 years of age, physically fit and of a weight not more than 70kg. Due to animal welfare, we must apply a horseback riding weight limit to assure the animals do not suffer back injuries.
- Volunteers need to have at least a basic level of english
- 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.
Accommodation:
- 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.
- Volunteers will need to be comfortable living with others or alone in the case where only one volunteer has booked. There are however always staff members on site.
- 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.
Meals
Volunteers will be expected to do their own meal preparation and cooking. The accommodation has a kitchen equipped with all the basic cooking facilities so that meals can be prepared easily.
Volunteers will be taken on a weekly shopping trip in to Nelpsruit to buy groceries and other supplies. Guidance and advice will be given as to local foods and recommendations as what to buy.
Free Time:
Weekends are usually the busiest times and time off takes place during the week when there are no bookings.
Volunteers can choose how to spend their free time. Various activities are available so that volunteers can explore what the Lowveld has to offer. This includes:
- A day trip or multiple day trips to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, about one and a half hours drive away and offers the possibility of viewing the Big Five in their natural environment.
- 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.
- Exploring the village of Kaapsehoop
A typical day:
Most of our horses live mainly out in the field, while a few are kept in the paddocks. Depending on the bookings, some days can be extremely busy while conversely others will be much more quiet as far as riding guests are concerned.
There are however daily tasks which starts at 7h00 and ends when all is done. The typical day-to-day and weekly tasks includes:
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:
