Select travel dates to see prices

Brilliant 4.75rating (69)

Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Help care for horses and ponies (equines) that have been neglected, abused, abandoned or are unmanageable by their owners in a place of safety, love giving them a chance of a new life
  • Assist with equines in need of medical attention and behavioural training for their long term rehabilitation to a better life. Horse rescues can take place when severe abuse has been reported
  • For those with riding experience that weigh under 75kgs, you may ride and hack the safer horses. There are beautiful natural trails in the area and the horses up for adoption, always need the exercise

Highlights

  • Help care for horses and ponies (equines) that have been neglected, abused, abandoned or are unmanageable by their owners in a place of safety, love giving them a chance of a new life
  • Assist with equines in need of medical attention and behavioural training for their long term rehabilitation to a better life. Horse rescues can take place when severe abuse has been reported
  • For those with riding experience that weigh under 75kgs, you may ride and hack the safer horses. There are beautiful natural trails in the area and the horses up for adoption, always need the exercise
  • Horse experience is a plus but not a must so for those with no experience with horses, you will learn how to care for them daily, feed, groom, walk, socialise and love these beautiful sentient beings
  • Help out with the other rescued animals at the sanctuary including donkeys, cats, dogs, pigs, chickens, ducks, goats and sheep while having fun in the South Africa sun

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Get involved with horse and pony rescue and rehabilitation in South Africa. If you have experience with horses, great. If not, you will learn with a great team.

    The farm where the project is based is situated on a 1000 Hectare property surrounded by the typical vegetation of the Western Cape province, surrounding hills and marked off into horse camps, stables, paddocks and of course the main house, volunteer accommodation and there is a farm dam for hot ...

    About the program

    The farm where the project is based is situated on a 1000 Hectare property surrounded by the typical vegetation of the Western Cape province, surrounding hills and marked off into horse camps, stables, paddocks and of course the main house, volunteer accommodation and there is a farm dam for hot days. 

    The equine rescue and sanctuary is dedicated to the welfare, rescue, care and rehabilitation of horses and ponies- and an assortment of rescued farm animals.

    The founders have a background have a background in dealing with cases of animal abuse and the need to confiscate horses and ponies- and equine knowledge having worked on many stud farms in the past. Together with their skills and experience, they make a formidable team when it comes to equine rescue, care and rehabilitation

    Since they started, they have saved 630 horses from all over South Africa often travelling long distances. When horses are rescued, they are often brought to the farm horribly abused and in the more severe cases, close to death. Not all the horses will survive the extreme abuse they have experienced but for those that do, the end goal is to nurse them back to health, care, rehabilitate and train them so they will be ready to be adopted out to a carefully vetted home with a chance of a wonderful future. For the more extreme cases, they will live their forever home at the equine sanctuary. Currently there are 82 horses with an assortment of rescued farm animals and dogs

    Equine rescues are performed all over South Africa in areas that do not have an active SPCA when the need arises. Community and horse owner education is also a priority for those that need advice on caring for their horses, ponies and even donkeys.

    Please be aware that as the horses and ponies you will be working with come from extreme abusive backgrounds, only those under 70kgs will be riding as many of them have to be physically rehabilitated due to the past abuse they have experienced. You do not need to have experience with horses to take part in this project- although it is a benefit- but you will need to have a love of horses, their care and welfare. And be prepared to get your hands dirty and get stuck in with your volunteer duties. For those that have no experience with horses but want to learn, basic horse care will be taught during the time on the project but not riding. Please also be aware that there are other rescued animals like pigs, sheep and dogs and cats. The dogs and cats sleep inside the volunteer accommodation but the volunteer bedrooms have doors. Please let. us know if you have an allergy to either or if you are nervous of them. 



    Typical day

    The description given is of a typical day (EXAMPLE).

    Time Description:

    06:00: Wake up, wash, get ready and feed the horses

    07:30: Breakfast – Make your own with food provided

    08:00: Start morning duties with the horses 

    12:00: Make your own lunch and take a break from the midday sun

    14:00: Afterno

    Typical day

    The description given is of a typical day (EXAMPLE).

    Time Description:

    06:00: Wake up, wash, get ready and feed the horses

    07:30: Breakfast – Make your own with food provided

    08:00: Start morning duties with the horses 

    12:00: Make your own lunch and take a break from the midday sun

    14:00: Afternoon volunteer duties

    15:30: Bring in the horses and feed

    17:30: Relax, swim in the dam, read, play board games, or contemplate on the meaning of life under an African sunset


    Free-time activities

    The project is situated on the outskirts of Bonnievale, a town in the Breede River Valley of the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape province approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive from the city of Cape Town. The area is well known for fruit production, locally made cheese, tastings at wine ...

    Free-time activities

    The project is situated on the outskirts of Bonnievale, a town in the Breede River Valley of the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape province approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive from the city of Cape Town. The area is well known for fruit production, locally made cheese, tastings at wine farms, private game reserves and extensive hiking trails in the beautiful natural surroundings between two mountain ranges, the Riviersonderend and the Langeberg mountains.

     A perfect setting for those who appreciate nature, wide open spaces and fresh air.. and horses, ponies and donkeys!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    To be able to care for and ride horses and be physically fit.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 08:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    The cost of the project includes shared accommodation onsite, 3 meals a day with food provided, airport transfers from Cape Town International on Saturdays, pre-departure support, in-country support, staff on the ground available for emergencies 24/7, marketing costs, and donations to the project. 

    Airport Pickup at Cape Town International Airport

    Airport pickups and drops off take place on Saturdays. Arrival flights must be before 14h00 and departure flights no earlier than 13h00 as it is a 2-hour drive from the project to Cape Town International Airport. 

    Accommodation

    During your stay you will stay onsite in the shared volunteer accommodation which is a converted barn, so it is basic and rustic. There are bedrooms, bathrooms, a communal living area and kitchen. Bedrooms are allocated to two volunteers of the same gender. The volunteer coordinator and local South African volunteers also stay at the volunteer accommodation although in other separate bedrooms. The bathrooms are shared and have 2 showers, toilets and basins.  

     There is a washing machine for you to use to wash your clothes.

    There is WIFI so you can easily keep contact with friends and family via email, WhatsApp, social media and Skype. However, the internet connection can be slow so downloading movies can be an issue. We advise you to download a few movies or series before you arrive at the project. There is a TV in the volunteer lounge to watch downloaded movies from a laptop as the TV signal is not great on the farm. 

    There is a farm dam on the property where volunteers- and horses- can take a dip to cool down on hot summer days. There are also lots of other rescued farm animals, pigs, sheep, geese, dogs and cats on the property. If you suffer from fur allergies, let us know.  The rescued dogs and cats sleep in the communal volunteer accommodation so if you do not like either species, please let us know but the bedrooms do have doors to keep them out. 

    The manager's house is a few meters distance from the volunteer accommodation. 

    This is country living and off-the-grid. Therefor there are solar panels so as not to be affected by power cuts, rain tanks and a borehole for the shower and toilets (drinking water is supplied) and the shower uses a gas geyser.

    Food & Beverages

    Food is provided with which volunteers prepare their own meals. On occasion there might be a braai for the volunteers. There is cereal, fruit, toast, tea and coffee for breakfast. Lunch is normally a sandwich and fruit, and supper could be anything from pasta to meat and a salad. Tea, coffee, drinking water and cooldrink is provided. If you have specific dietary requirements, please let us know so we can try and accommodate you but for specific items like lactose-free, gluten-free or vegan, they can be difficult to source at local grocery stores and expensive. 

    Volunteers need to keep their own bedrooms and bathrooms clean and the communal areas that they share.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Arrival and departures days are Saturdays. Volunteers need to arrive and depart from Cape Town International Airport. It is a 2-hour drive from the sanctuary to the airport so we do suggest that volunteers arrival flights are no earlier than 10 am (or they will need to wait at Cape Town International Airport at a coffee shop) and no later than 3pm. For departures flights, these must be no earlier than 12pm so as to give ample time for checking in for their international departure flight.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 840€
    3 weeks 1,148€
    4 weeks 1,457€
    5 weeks 1,765€
    6 weeks 2,074€
    7 weeks 2,383€
    8 weeks 2,691€
    9 weeks 3,000€
    10 weeks 3,309€
    11 weeks 3,617€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,926€
    Average fees 373€/week

    Program fees

    373€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Volunteer Int. Adventures during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.8
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

    Volunteer photos

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Sharon
    69
    reviews
    4.75
    Brilliant
    2020
    Founded

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Afrikaans
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Contact Sharon
      Excellent response rate
    English, Afrikaans

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Sharon
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Complete Support for Every Volunteer

    This helps us run our platform and offer essential services like Comprehensive Support, Refund Guarantee, Flex Option, and Price-Guarantee. This includes VAT.

    Price details