Spain: Horsemanship Programme

Introduction

Become an integral part of our team dedicated to caring for horses, enhancing our sanctuary, and championing equine welfare through force-free horsemanship practices rooted in positive reinforcement.

Volunteering with us offers a unique opportunity to engage with our horses and gain insight into the vision we’re striving to realize within the sanctuary. Depending on the duration of your stay, you’ll either catch a glimpse of our objectives or fully immerse yourself in our mission, making tangible progress along the way.

Our program seamlessly integrates work and learning, recognizing that some of the most profound educational moments occur during hands-on experiences. Whether observing the herd during feed times or while tending to their fields, each interaction serves as a valuable learning opportunity.

As a volunteer, you’ll be welcomed into our horse training sessions, where you’ll first learn how to handle and interact with the horses before delving into training techniques. Progressing through structured sessions, you’ll develop your training skills, tailoring approaches to suit each horse’s individual needs and preferences.

Here, practical skills are coupled with a deeper understanding of the science behind force-free horsemanship. Through hands-on training and theoretical exploration, you’ll gain comprehensive insights into equine behaviour and effective training methodologies.

Join us in this rewarding journey where you’ll not only contribute to the well-being of our sanctuary horses but also acquire invaluable skills and knowledge that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Daily Life

Our mission is driven by a deep commitment to inspire horse lovers and owners worldwide. Through a range of initiatives including open days, project partnership programs, and workshops, we aim to educate and empower individuals seeking better ways to care for and interact with horses.

Central to our approach is the sympathetic, natural, and holistic training of our sanctuary’s horses. Emphasizing barefoot and bitless techniques, we prioritize the well-being and comfort of our equine companions.

In tandem with our training efforts, we strive to foster an enriched environment for our herd, promoting sustainable horse care practices that prioritize the physical and emotional health of each horse.

Raising awareness about the essential requirements for a happy, healthy, and well-balanced horse is a core pillar of our mission. We aim to share our knowledge and insights into horse behavior and welfare, offering vital services and support to horse owners seeking guidance.

Since our inception, we’ve made significant strides in realizing these objectives with the generous support of our volunteers’ donations and practical assistance. However, there is still work to be done. When we acquired this site in 2016, it was ill-suited for our purposes, but our urgent priority was to rescue the horses from potentially abusive situations. Despite the challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a sanctuary where horses thrive, and where individuals from all walks of life can learn and grow alongside these magnificent animals.

You will have the opportunity to learn through hands-on training sessions and direct interaction with our horses during various activities such as feeding times and hoof trimming. As many of our horses are in various stages of recovery, our current training approach focuses on therapeutic methods.

Upon reaching a sufficient level of understanding, volunteers may take on their own project horse(s) to work on specific goals tailored to support the horse’s recovery and progress.

We prioritize a natural and empathetic approach, acknowledging each horse’s unique character, emotions, responses, and past traumas to facilitate effective learning. Our aim is to address behavioral issues with gentle understanding, fostering progress in each horse regardless of their level of training.

Central to our methodology is an emphasis on understanding our horses’ feelings and reactions, with groundwork serving as the primary platform for this exploration. We believe in seeking permission from the horse and fostering an environment where they choose to engage with us willingly, rather than feeling obligated to do so. This approach not only promotes a deeper connection between humans and horses but also ensures the well-being and comfort of our equine partners remain paramount.

Travel & Accom.

You will be given easy to follow instructions on how to arrive from Malaga airport.

Accommodation is a short walk away from the project, in a volunteer house. Private rooms are available, discuss with us when applying. Food is provided for you to cook in the communal kitchen. Limited WIFI is available.

Requirements

• Min age 14 (with parental consent)
• Minimum 1 week commitment
• Full travel & medical insurance
• Necessary flights & visas

Costs

• 1 Week €643 per week
• 2 Weeks €627 per week
• 3 Weeks €609 per week
• 4 Weeks €590 per week
• 8 Weeks €503 per week
• 12 Weeks €426 per week
• 18+ Weeks €298 per week. ( commission?)

*All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee.

**Places are confirmed with a €300 deposit

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes

• Accommodation
• All food (vegetarian) for communal cooking
• Towels and linen
• Certificate of completion

What’s not included:

• Airport pickup
• Flights
• Visas (if applicable),
• and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in if you choose our premium support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organize for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge, and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organized with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.