Volunteering in equestrian therapy

About the equine therapy project
: Since the 1970s, your assignment location has been enabling people with disabilities to access therapeutic measures with horses. The participants become more self-confident and more self-assured. Although your place of work is well equipped in terms of materials (e.g. saddles, bridles), it needs the support of volunteers like you. Because to realize the riding lessons of a riding student, 3 volunteers are needed. This ensures safety for the rider and the horse.

Your tasks in the equine therapy project
Your volunteer work on the horse farm in South Africa is very diverse. As a volunteer, you will help take care of the horses. This includes feeding and watering the animals every day, as well as leading the horses to the riding arena or to the pasture. You prepare riding lessons and encourage children and adults, for example. This way, you create a fulfilling experience for the participants. You will also help with the maintenance and cleaning of the stables. With the other volunteers, you will clean the horses' water troughs or take care of the saddles and curry combs. Your tasks will also include tidying up the helmets and riding boots after riding lessons. In addition, you regularly check the pasture fences and repair them if necessary. You make sure that there are no dangerous objects lying around in the animals' pastures. The tasks are carried out in teamwork and may vary from day to day. So it won't be boring! If you are interested in public relations and fundraising, you can also get involved in these areas.

Your daily routine in the equine therapy project
You will work on the farm from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. As a volunteer, you will accompany the daily riding lessons and take care of the horses. In the morning, you will usually clean the stables and take care of the animals. After consultation with the local team, you prepare the horses for the morning riding lessons. At around 2 p.m. there is a lunch break during which you can strengthen yourself for the afternoon. In the afternoon, you will take care of the animals again, bring them back to the stables and help with feeding. You will also assist with the afternoon riding lessons.
You can use your free time to go on excursions with the other volunteers. South Africa offers you many exciting leisure activities, such as visiting the numerous national parks or taking a surfing course in Muizenberg.