Natural Horsemanship & Classical Riding

Agency
·
founded in 2014
Finca Soley
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Coordinator | isa
Coordinator | isa
Book with Flex Option! Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.

High­lights

Expirience real Natural Horsemanship living and training with isa Avendaño and her freely living herd. Learn hands on during the daily training of our rescue, young or bred horses.
Immerse yourself into the study of classical horsesmanhip to learn how to train and ride a horse in order for him to be strong and enabled to carry us. Mobilisation, lateral movements, seat lessons...
Gain insides of horse keeping from barefoot trimming, to health checks and tracking the progress of a rehabilitation horse. Learn how horses like to be kept and why. Take use of our huge libary too!
Tours and free time activites in the area like: waterfalls, rafting, coffeetour, vulcany tour and much more. SPANISH course avaideble as well!
Live in a community in our Volunteerhouse on our ecological family farm. Grow and learn about horses and yourself surrounded by the lush jungle of Costa Rica with amazing spots for yoga and mediation.
Join us on our peaceful horse farm. Learn Natural Horsemanship, bitless riding and classical training. Horses, Nature and Farmlife. Spanish Course available too! This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

Surround yourself with the pure nature of our stunning Costa Rican mountain setting where a freely living herd of mixed horses from rescues to home bred, youngsters to shetlands is living in peace together. Learn how to communicate with horses using body language, psychology, energy and even more getting your ideas and intentions clear. With the study of Natural Horsemanship you will not only learn to understand horses but will also learn a lot about yourself

Within in the Natural Horsemanship you can learn about the natural behaviour, herd behaviour, horse language, horses needs and how to become a great partner for your horse. 

After connecting to your horses mind and earning his friendship you will learn how to proper train his body in order for your horse to be able to ride with you with pride and honor and withour harming himself. Within the study of Classical Horsemanship you learn about the horses anatomy and how to use flexion, mobalisation, lateral movements and your seat to improve his balance and strengh. You can witness how rescue horses can become happy, self confident and strong again. 

Within the Classical Horsemanship you can learn about anatomy, flexion, mobalisation, lunging, balance, using aids in order to help your horse to balance, lateral movements and why to do what in order to help your horse to become stronger. 

The first week of your stay you will mainly work with the horses on the ground. Please consider the longer you are able to stay the more you will be able to learn and develop. When you are an expirienced rider you can help us training the horses from the saddle. Beginners might also get a chance to ride, but will be more working on the ground with the horses, learn confidence and get the first contact with horses. This program is not only about riding but about growing an equal relationship towards an equine friend. Some of our horses are in rehabilitation and cannot be ridden at all in the moment. But putting time and the correct training in, we hope to rehab all of them. 

With your stay at Finca Soley you will support our horse welfare program and live an absolut unforgetable expirience combining self growth, education and an vacation in one of the most beautiful countrys on our planet. 

As a volunteer you will be part of our team. You will be involved in the daily care of our natural herd. Mucking, grooming, hoof care, massages, energy healing work (touch for health) and training. On the afternoons you have time off to take use of our horse libary, observe the horses in their pasture, take a tour, book onside Spanish lessons or just relax and chill on our peaceful mountain farm. 

Finca Soley is a family run project established in 2014 and in continious growth. We love to put our hands on and have built all structures here. The farm counts with 3 houses, a 20x40m riding arena, a paradies paddock with shelter space for the animals, plenty of fruit trees, jungle, pastures and incredible views. Next to the horses our family remains of dogs, cats, chickens and cows. We try to keep our surroundings organic and natural and live a simple lifestyle in respect of nature and in harmony with the animals. 

 This is a great opportunity to learn new things to take home and experience real Costa Rica. Our main goal is to keep our horses happy and healthy and teach people how to form a relationship with horses and learn how to ride with finest aids in order to reach perfect balance. 

There is a wide range of activities you can get busy while beeing on our farm. Your time can consist of: 

  • natural horsemanship training 
  • bitless riding 
  • classical training: flexions, mobalisation, lateral movements
  • lunging
  • hike out with a horse 
  • spa day with horses
  • barefoot trimming 
  • theory lessons
  • tours and activities in the region (extra costs might occur)
  • Spanish course (optional)
  • and just relax

The farm is a place where people from all over the world meet and share their passion for horses and traveling. The team of Finca Soley loves to welcome guests and volunteers and consits of a professional horse trainer and volunteer coordinator.   

You will be living on site in our self build volunteer house. Volunteers have their own kittchen and prepare their food. Also there is a libary, study room, big living room and gardens with hammoks . Our farm is located on top of a small mountain called Chucuyo, within a 30 mins hike or 2 mins in car you arrive in Tucurrique with plenty of shops, restaurants, a soccer field and wifi etc. 

What we require

  • Minimum stay of 1 week 
  • work around horses for 5 days per week includes: mucking, grooming, tack cleaning, arena mantaince + 2 afternoons helping with our sustainable projects like: fruit harvesting, garden, chicken cleaning etc. 
  • the will to learn
  • a positive attitude
  • teamplayer
  • love for animals

What we offer

  • Accomodation
  • Daily interactions with our natural herd
  • Lessons in: Natural Horsemanship, riding with fine aids, seat lessons, lunging, horse massage and more
  • access to our big libery of videos and books
  • Spanish course at an extra costs can be booked
  • hikes with the horses 
  • theory lessons 
  • tours (extra costs might occur, depeding the tour)
  • an unique way to combine your travels with learning Natural + Classical Horsemanship

We do not have wifi on the farm but with a local SIM card you can find good signal. 

Typical day

6:30 - Volunteers have breakfast together

7:00 - Prepare the barn for horses: mucking paradise paddock, feeding hay etc.

8:00 - Horse Care: grooming and feeding horses. Prepare for training

9:00 - Training Sessions & Morning Activites (Lesson in Natural Horsemanship/ Classical Training/ horse spa/ massages/ etc.)

11:30 - Prepare hay for evening and release all animals into freedom. 

12:00 - Lunch Break/ Siesta 

15:00 - Project Work on two afternoons (harvest fruit/ bake bread/ making cheese/ clean tack/ garden etc.)

Spanish Course if apply



Free-time activities

Our peaceful farm is the perfect place to relax and observe our freely living herd, birds and with some luck a sloth. We have 5ha of primary rainforest with a trail that leads you to a tiny private stream of cristal clear water. Space to breath and reset. There is a fruit orchard with hammocks to listen to the sound of birds, observe the butterflys finish the guayabas or the colibris drinking from the colorful flowers. On the mountains you find precios spots to bring your yoga mat and observe the sunset watching the horses grase. 

For more active afternoons and/or weekends book a tour with a local guide. Hike up the waterfalls, learn about Coffee, take a Chocolate tour, visit a local farmers market or hike up a vulcano. Also both costsides can be visited. We offer to swap a day if you stay longer and like to take a long weekend to chill on the beach. 




Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Hiking
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation

Require­ments

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)
Required Documents
sign up sheet and
Nationality Restrictions
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Other Skills
Helpful skills are previous horse expirience, even though you can also arrive as an beginner. Expirienced riders will have more chances to ride then beginners. positive attitude. the will to put the horses need above yours. team spirit and a kind attitude.
Time Commitment
Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:00 - 12:00

What's Included

Services by Finca Soley

  • Accomandation in our cofortable newly built Volunteerhouse, 
  • Project Horse to train with,
  • Access to our huge libary of horse books and dvds
  • Natural Horsemanship course, 
  • Lessons in Classical Horsemanship, 
  • Project Work, 
  • Organisation, 
  • Certification, 
  • donation for horse welfare project
  • help by planning your trip
  • help with organisation of week end tours

Accommodation

Stay in our beautiful and spacious Volunteerhouse - Casa India. 

Each room counts with a private entrance, has space for up to 4 people and each bed has a high quality matrace. All rooms have a delux bathroom privatly used with hot water showers and some with bathtub. We offer private, semi private and couple options on an aditional cost. The Volunteer House has a huge kitchen, dining and living area were volunteers prepare their meals, share evenings and travel stories. 

Infront of the house there is a fire place to spend nights around the barn fire playing guitarre and making stick bread. 

On the farm we have many fruit trees, egg hens and some vegies to harvest. 

We keep 5 ha of rainforest on our homestead with a private trail that leads you to our tiny stream with purest water.


Dorm Room
Internet Access
Limited access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees. An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either. Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
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 Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica.

Dates & Fees

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Details on arrival

Every Sunday

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Duration
1 - 24 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
1 week (min. stay)
$630
2 weeks
$1,180
3 weeks
$1,730
4 weeks
$2,280
5 weeks
$2,700
6 weeks
$3,120
7 weeks
$3,540
8 weeks
$3,960
12 weeks
$5,640
13 weeks
$5,990
24 weeks (max. stay)
$9,890
Average fees
$521 /week

Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated. Finca Soley will let you know about the final price during your application process.
Deposit (15%)
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 (85%)
Your final payment will be agreed with Finca Soley during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Why book with Volunteer World

Extra security layer by Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy application process - including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Finca Soley cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Finca Soley.

What are people saying about Volunteer World?

Natural Horsemanship & Classical Riding

Join us on our peaceful horse farm. Learn Natural Horsemanship, bitless riding and classical training. Horses, Nature and Farmlife. Spanish Course available too!

$521/week

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