You will receive an introduction into the busy but exciting stable life during your first week. You will be guided step by step through your weekly schedule, introduced to the over 25 horses and shown the ropes.
There is no typical day in stables. Every day presents new challenges or duties to be completed. We ask you to be flexible and go with the flow whilst you are on the project. Your days will be long and sometimes tiring, but always very rewarding. We are big believers of 'learning on the job' and that is exactly what you will be doing. You will gain invaluable experience in stable management, with our stables team supporting you along the way. The longer you spend on the project with us, the more responsibilities and duties you will be trusted with. From leading a guest ride, to teaching a lesson to a beginner, you will become an important member of the team.
With a range of horse breeds at the stables we welcome riders of all abilities with a passion for horses. Beginners are guided into riding with regular lessons in the school and slow rides out in the bush. For those with more experience on horseback and wanting to push themselves, we offer more advanced rides such as fast horse safaris and opportunities to compete in external riding competitions, such as monthly show-jumping shows.
The project is run within a private nature reserve in Zimbabwe; Antelope Park.
Volunteers will spend their days and nights in an authentic African thatched lodge, surrounded by nature and wildlife. Rooms are either a twin or quad room with fellow volunteers or interns. Accommodation upgrades are available if you wish to have a more ‘exclusive’ volunteer experience.
Volunteers are responsible for their flights, visas and any vaccinations their GP recommends. Volunteers are expected to be committed to the program and are expected to bide by our reasonable code of conduct.
In return volunteers can expect a first class team on-ground at Antelope Park to help all volunteers get the maximum out of their experience with us. On arrival all volunteers are given an in-depth induction on all aspects of their project and are given an introduction to other areas. There are daily meetings in the Volunteer Lounge to discuss the next days activities and to resolve any issues that may have arisen during the day.
Volunteers do not have to bring any specific equipment but if they are joining the Horse Management Project it is recommended that they bring their own riding kit - jodhpurs, riding boots, riding helmets.
Whether you are on a gap year, career break, school holiday or just looking for something extraordinary to do, why not become part of the stable steam at Antelope Park.
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