Highlights
- Look at horses from a new perspective
- Have fun and push yourself through new comfort zones
- Give love and attention to those who appreciate it the most
- Take both the time and space you need with these gentle horses
- Grow as a human in whichever aspet you choose
About Us
We are an English-Spanish family, and you are invited to join us and take part in a fusion of at least two languages and cultures. Clare and partner Chico have a wide variety of experience and skills between them. Chico the native Spanish speaker runs the gardens and building projects. He also enjoys the horses and is relatively recently self- and horse-taught. Clare runs the horsemanship classes and has been around horses for over 30 years and worked in racing, showing, teaching, and now natural horsemanship. They have both learnt so much from their herd of horses and love to share their stories. Hopefully you will come and create your own
We live in a village of 150 people in the mountains. It is friendly and intimate. Even if you don't speak any Spanish, you will be welcomed as if you do.
Work is often physically hard and although we welcome people from all experiences a hard-working attitude fits best here. Please let us know before booking if you have specific needs or disabilities so we can discuss the possibilities. You will be joining a family with animals and children. It is essential that you like these as they all join in every area of our lives!
Volunteers vary in number, age and background all through the year. Our youngest has been 14 years old and our oldest in their 60's. Sometimes we just have one, and at other times a group of ten or more! If you are particularly interested in joining us when we have a few others, please check beforehand. If you are more focused on your horsemanship than your socialisation then we have plenty of quiet times too. Younger volunteers are welcome with parents or guardians.
Clare arrived in Spain in 2010 to work with a free-roaming herd who taught her a completely new way of relating to horses. At the same time, she was deeply moved by the plight of many of the horses and horsemanship practices in the area. She saw horses hobbled, confined in tiny dirty stables all day, every day, and ridden in the extremely harsh serraton bridle. These two extremes represented the very best and worst of horse management and inspired the project. The sanctuary is in its infancy having moved to new premises in February 2016. There is a lot of work to do and your help is important to get this exciting project off the ground. Time and Space Equine Education Sanctuary became a registered association in August 2018.
- Inspire horse lovers and owners through open days, project partnership programs and workshops
- Train the sanctuary's horses sympathetically, naturally, barefoot and bitless
- Promote good and sustainable horse care by creating an enriched environment for our own herd
- Raise awareness of the requirements for a happy, healthy, emotionally and physically well-balanced horse.
- Be in a position to work with owners and their horses to explore and share knowledge of horse behavior and welfare
Typical day
First thing in the morning we either drive or take a pretty 15 minute walk from the village to the horses. You can breakfast early before we leave, or take a break during work for a picnic breakfast (you prepare this yourself). We are flexible! Usually when walking, on our approach we will hear the horses calling for their breakfast as they hear us arriving.
First we feed the horses and do the usual day-to-day chores such as waters and poo-picking. Then we will then start training and working with the horses and other jobs we may have on the agenda. There is grooming, hoof care, exercising, training, gardening and farm maintenance/building...
There are other commitments that we take part in locally such as training other horses or looking after sick or mistreated animals away from our premises. So when students are ready they usually take on some of the working responsibilities themselves allowing us to do this essential work in the community. Students are also invited to join to observe our work on occasions.
We have a similar routine on the afternoon. In the evening at home we can rest, use the internet, read, socialise, go to the bar, listen to music, cook.... .
In summer we go home from the horses for lunch and a siesta, or stay and have a picnic and maybe a dip in the 'alberca'. We have a recent edition of an on-site outdoor kitchen so options are flexible! There is a pool in the village in summer. In winter we may stay all day, but start a little later and finish earlier.
Spring and autumn are generally the most pleasant months to work in, but if you are visiting during the summer months be aware that temperatures can reach 45 degrees, and work needs to be started very early at day-break (or before) and continued in the evening, finishing and eating late. We fit into the Spanish way of life by taking siestas in the afternoon, which is necessary with the hours and temperatures.
It can be very wet in the winter, but also sunny at midday! Temperatures can drop quite dramatically and as in most countries spring and autumn can be variable. You must be prepared with warm layers and waterproofs. There will be a packing list sent to you after booking.
Details on Arrival
The program is available all year round any start date, and any number of days, but please be prepared for weather! We can advise on suitable clothing closer to the time.
You would arrange your own transport to Atajate and there are reliable buses and trains which can bring you from the airport in Malaga. We are happy to help you plan this and we will send more information after booking.
If you are looking at flights now, please note if you are planning on using public transport, it is better to book your arrival flight for the morning or early afternoon, as public transport options are limited or non existent later in the day, and your return flight should not be earlier than 12pm to allow for time to arrive in the airport. Other options would be to stay in Malaga a night, hire a car, or to arrange a taxi service if your flights are out of public transport times. I can send timetables after booking, and it is actually very easy.
Buses are under 20€, a taxi company charges 130€, and we have people locally who would collect for 90€.
Free-time activities
Your stay here will provide you with memories and skills you will never forget! As well as those featuring the horses, there are festivals and parties that take place in all the villages. The big water fight in Atajate is in August; there is a German beer festival in Jimera de Libar in October and mushroom festivals in November. In summer there are music and horse festivals, foam parties and more! The beautiful local ‘white villages' vary from 2000 inhabitants down to a population of less than 200 and are well worth a visit.
As well as the villages, there are towns to visit. Ronda is around 25km away and is on a main coast to city train route. It boasts a spectacular viaduct as well as many other historic sites and a variety of shops. After exploring these, the huge variety of cafes and bars will offer welcome refreshment.
If, however you prefer a break from civilisation then you will be in your element. The surrounding mountains, forests and river are beautiful, peaceful and watched over by soaring eagles. Close by there are natural sites to visit such as the Canyon of the Vultures. There are guided walks to vast caves with ancient cave paintings. A Palo-Christiano church is tucked away off the beaten track and an Arab tower is hidden in the countryside with not a tourist in sight.
The beach is approximately 1½ hours’ drive away, trips can be arranged at an extra cost on your days off, including beach and activity trips; visiting cities including Malaga and Sevilla; or special out of hours horse rides or camping trips.
Transport: You can hire a car from Malaga, or there is a bus leaving every week day morning from Atajate to Ronda, and returning at midday. From Ronda there are regular buses to all major cities and many smaller villages. It may also be possible to hire a driver locally as a taxi service.
Program Requirements
We are flexible and do like to make this opportunity available for everyone as we enjoy seeing people learn and develop. If you are an experienced horse person, then you will already know that you can never finish learning and that the horse is the best teacher of which we have plenty.
If you are under 16 then we can accept you with permission from a legal guardian.
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
We ask for an average of 25 hours per week work and a donation which will be set fee in euros upon arrival after deposit, to avoid fluctuation in interest rates. This will cover your accommodation, food and provide a donation to the herd which is used for feeding, veterinary and health care, maintenance and improvements of the horse's living conditions plus insurance and program support etc. In return you shall receive five hours per week of guidance in natural horsemanship training, practice time and all the experiences you will receive living and working in this beautiful place.
Extra classes or riding can be arranged for a donation if there is space. Riding hats can be provided and all other clothing and equipment is listed on our Further Information document to bring yourself.
We have a space for a long term volunteer, please get in touch if you may be interested in this position.
Visitors, volunteers and students normally sleep in the village hostel. We rent an apartment for students to share with a kitchen and living room and an open fire in the winter months. There sleeps one or two people per room.
Towels and linen is provided. There are shared washer machine facilities close by, but you must provide your own detergent which can be bought locally.
There is internet access in the local bar which is also where your accommodation is located.
Healthy vegetarian/vegan food for three meals per day is provided for students to prepare their own meals. Cooking can be done in the apartment or in the outdoor kitchen with the horses, where we often eat lunch together when the weather is nice. We are usually back in the village for the evening meal, but this is also flexible in warmer months. We often invite each other to eat together to get a taste of international cuisines! There are also bars to eat at and this is at your own expense.
Program Fees
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Atajate, Spain
Non-profit |
Time and Space Equine Education Sanctuary
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