Horse Rehabilitation
South Africa

The objective of the project is to rescue and rehabilitate horses so that they can trust people once again. The motto is “horses working for horses” and the project makes income from beach and bush trails for tourists to fund the rehabilitation of injured, abused and neglected horses.

With around 30 horses to care for, volunteers help to care for and give much needed attention to horses that have suffered. Volunteers are a vital workforce on the farm and are involved in all aspects of the preparation of the trails and looking after the horses being rehabilitated. There are also a number of other animals on the farm including dogs, donkeys, peacock, chickens and pigs.

As part of the volunteer role, you will have the opportunity to ride on the stunning beach trails on the Eastern Cape of South Africa!

You will work closely with the horses every day and tasks may include:

• Food preparation, feeding and watering the horses
• Checking physical condition of the horses
• Assisting with preparations for trails
• Riding on beach trails and assisting trail guiding
• Dipping
• Grooming
• Cleaning tack
• Cleaning water troughs
• Working with individually allocated horses
• Assisting with basic veterinary work where appropriate

During your stay you will be trained in all aspects of the basic care routine covering the tasks above as well as working with youngsters, backing, mouthing and lunging.

The project accommodates all levels of riding experience and will tailor your activities accordingly - having basic walk, trot and canter skills are an advantage. There are no formal lessons and if you are a novice you will learn riding on the beach! 

Volunteers staying for at least 4 weeks who have sufficient experience will be given the opportunity to dedicate some of their time to working independently with a young, inexperienced horse.

Typical day

When you arrive, you will be settled into the accommodation and shown around the farm. You’ll get to meet the horses at the farm and those that live closer to the beach as well as the other farm animals.

The work carries on throughout the week and you will usually work 5 days out of 7. Days normally start at breakfast at 7am and finish around 5pm, depending on what is happening each day and the weather.

Volunteers live on site so it is just a 2 minute walk to the horses on the farm. When visiting the horses on the coast (approximately 7km away) you will be transported by the team in their vehicle. During your days off you can take advantage of some fantastic free time activities.

Professional roles and animal husbandry

We also organise placements for volunteers with professional skills (vet, equine dentist or farrier) for a reduced volunteer fee reflecting the professional expertise that these volunteers provide to the project (see the fees table).

If volunteers are interested, there is also the opportunity to gain farming and animal husbandry skills with the pigs on site.

Other volunteers

There are usually 1-4 volunteers, numbers vary throughout the year.

Local support

The project is very much a family affair with Georgie and her daughter Penny leading and other members of the family also assisting. Georgie is in charge of the rehabilitation and Penny is in charge of the trails.

Georgie is the first point of call for volunteers and she will be there to support you throughout your time at the project. She is originally from the UK but has been living in Africa for over 50 years. Penny was born in Zimbabwe and is a professional guide. They have an amazing knowledge of horses between them and love to share this with the volunteers!

“It helps to have volunteers who have passion and spend time with our horses; that extra groom and a bit of TLC that, with having so little ‘manpower’, they wouldn’t normally get.” Georgie, Founder

Volunteers live in a cottage on the 200 hectare family farm where the rescued horses are based. It's beside the family home and volunteers are often invited into the main house for meals and to socialise.

The volunteer cottage has a kitchen and living area with a TV, and a braai (barbeque) area outside. Bedrooms are shared between volunteers on a single sex basis and there is a shared bathroom with a hot water shower. There is WIFI available. 

Meals 

All main meals are provided and here are typical examples of the food you may have: 

• Breakfast – toast with spreads
• Lunch – sandwiches, salad
• Dinner – pasta, rice, stew, vegetables, barbeque 

Vegetarians and vegans are welcomed and can be catered for.

Tap water at the project is safe to drink.   

You will need to fly into Johannesburg Airport (JNB) and then take a connecting flight to East London Airport (ELS).

You will be met on arrival at East London Airport and driven to the project, which takes about 1 hour.

Location and free time

The centre is based near Chintsa East and is approximately 40km from East London. You are located very close to the stunning 'Wild Coast' of the Indian Ocean with its craggy cliffs and long beaches, a popular place for tourists to visit.

In the evenings and at the weekend volunteers are often invited to socialise with the family and play cards and darts, or you can spend time relaxing, watching TV or reading a book. Weekend braais (BBQs) are common and tend to be a big family event!

The local backpackers is right by the beach and boasts a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean, offering surfing lessons, volleyball and a perfect bar for some sundowners.

There are many activities available in the local area. There is an excellent local private game reserve where you can stay overnight and experience Africa wildlife including lions, rhinos, zebra and giraffes. Volunteers often also organise safari trips to the world famous Addo Elephant Park. These activities are best booked locally once you are at the project.

Climate

There are hot, humid, rainy summers between October and April, and mild, dry winters between May and September. In the summer temperatures average around 30˚C, but at times reach 35-40˚C. In the winter the mornings and evenings can be cold but by midday temperatures are usually 20-25˚C.

Travelling in South Africa before or after your placement

South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa and ranges from desert to sub-tropical. With dramatic landscapes, amazing wildlife and a rich and diverse culture and interesting history, South Africa has something for everyone. Popular activities in South Africa include:

• Spotting the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on safari
• Travelling the beautiful coastline along the Garden Route
• Whale watching near Port Elizabeth
• Visiting Cape Town and sampling local wines at the famous vineyards

For more information on South Africa and some of the things we loved when we visited there please see our South Africa country page. This also features all our other South Africa volunteering projects as you might like to consider combining this project with one of the others we offer to make a trip of a lifetime!

August

"I had SUCH an amazing time volunteering with Georgie, Penny, all their extended family, and also the amazing horses! I will definitely be returning next year and I was so gutted to leave. The love that these guys have for their horses is so evident in their actions and thoughts, and I have never felt welcomed as quickly as I did in their house. 

Horses are everything to them, and I would so recommend volunteering with Georgie and Penny if horses are your thing! POD volunteer we’re just an email away the whole time and we’re so quick to reply and very helpful, particularly Alex! Thank you everyone who helped to make my time as enjoyable as it was, I was so gutted to leave!"

Emma 

“It was a great and above all an enriching experience, I worked with 40 horses in a rehabilitation centre. I went on a mission abroad for 3 months, I discovered Georgie and Penny's daily routine, the treatment given to the horses, the special care that each horse receives, and when the horse trails that take us to a beautiful beach are an opportunity. 

Enjoy every day spent with Georgie, Penny and the horses! The most rewarding thing is to see that the horses are happy in their new environment”

Danika 

“I really enjoyed my time in South Africa, getting to help out with the horse was an incredible experience as was the beach rides. The scenery is beautiful with a mix of bush and beach.

Whilst there I got to know some of the horses on the farm well as I groomed them everyday and helped them get used to picking their feet up which some of the younger ones weren’t keen on. As well getting to ride a range of different horses. Be prepared for manual work as there is a lot of it but it is very rewarding.”

Taylor 

“I have no words that could sum up how amazing my time in South Africa was. Taking care of all of the horses and watching them progress in different ways over my 8 weeks was absolutely life changing. The beach was probably my favorite part - I could never get tired of cantering down an open beach with whales breaching alongside me! 

I grew close with the family and made some lifelong friends while on the project. They do so much for these horses and for the people who come in and out of their houses, it is absolutely incredible. I always felt so welcome and so at home. The fun never stops, even when the work is piled up. I cannot wait to go back!!

Holly 

“Absolutely loved my time on the project, will definitely return in the future! I had the best 2 weeks, I did not want to leave at the end (tears were shed!) I got to work with young horses and gained skills treating injuries/illnesses. I also got to ride a variety of amazing horses along the beach with the most stunning views, as well as riding on the farm.

I could not recommend this project enough, it really was one of the best things I have ever done.

Go for it! It might be different to what you are used to but it is so rewarding and you will make friends who you will keep in contact with after you leave.”

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