A dream for horse and riding enthusiasts

The eco-conscious horse ranch is home to 11 riding horses, 4 ponies, 2 cats, and 5 dogs. Many of the horses are rescues, having come from backgrounds of mistreatment and abuse. With over 30 years of hands-on experience in riding instruction, natural horse training, trail riding, and rehabilitating abused horses, the owners began offering trails along the beaches and landscapes of the Western Cape, around 2 hours from Cape Town, in 2017. They are exceptional hosts with extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Western Cape, operating an observatory on their farm. They eagerly anticipate sharing their passion with fellow horse enthusiasts. This stunning area offers unique experiences—you may be fortunate enough to spot Southern Right Whales while riding along the beach or enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool blue Atlantic waters alongside the horses on warm days.

Volunteering at the horse ranch

Volunteers will work closely with the owners, a trail assistant, and a volunteer coordinator who resides in a cottage next to the volunteer house on the ranch grounds. In addition to daily ranch duties, volunteers will accompany and assist with riding tours, which are scheduled nearly every day (except in adverse weather conditions), providing valuable insights into the captivating nature of the Western Cape.

Some of the everyday tasks include:

• Feeding, grooming, cleansing, and caring for the horses
• Preparing for the trails
• Saddling and unsaddling horses
• Welcoming guests and providing trail briefings (including in foreign languages)
• Accompanying trails
• Riding
• Swimming with horses
• Mucking out stables
• Cleaning paddocks
• Beach and trail clean-ups with hosts and other volunteers from the nearby town
• Performing minor maintenance and repairs at the ranch
• There may be opportunities to train new and young horses during off-times

This is what a typical day could look like: 

• Breakfast
• Check horses, groom, clean hooves, and turnout
• Prepare for trail – including tack check, equipment preparation, and tacking up horses
• Meet & greet with guests
• Trail – assist on horseback or on the ground (leading horses by foot on trails for beginner customers)
• Return from trail – unsaddle, clean tack, check horses, and turnout
• Break for lunch
• Training, farm tasks, excursions, or activities
• Possibly a Sundowner Trail
• Supper

As tourists sometimes book trails last-minute and the trails also depend on the weather and tidal situation, the daily schedule can change, and tasks can vary. Your working hours will therefore be variable – you will be busy 5 to 7 days a week but will get plenty of time to rest, relax, and explore the area. Please bear in mind that, depending on your experience level, it might take a few days until you can accompany the trails. However, your help at the ranch is needed from your very first day!