Uni sent out a message to the equine science students about conservation work in South Africa and I thought I’d scout the website for horse related work! Found two that may be of interest to the student keen to take some time off school next year and get in some horse experience overseas – what could be more appealing?
- South Africa Horse Riding and Conservation Experience – this one seems to me a great opportunity to clock up hours in the saddle, gain conservation experience and perhaps add to the resume with the view to being a game ranger or even zoo worker in the future.
- Australian Jackaroo / Jillaroo School – a great chance to visit the land down under and learn about the cowboy way, mustering cattle and shearing sheep!
“How to ride a horse: Step One – Mount the horse. Step Two – Stay mounted…” – Author unknown
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Wild Coast Horseback Adventure
Sunray Farm Horse Riding and Working Holidays
A hands on equestrian vacation with horses…
• Do you want to escape for a week or two or a month or two and experience what it is like on a South African horse farm?
• Would you love to ride horses all day, have fun and take care of and ride top class trail horses?
• Do you want to ride along the beach, ride through a farm in search of wild animals, get involved with the schooling of the horses and improve your horse riding?
• Do you want to be involved and get hands on experience working with horses?
• Then a Wild Coast Horseback adventure at Sunray Farm is for you!
• Stay for 8 weeks or more and do a overnight trail for free! (This may form part of a confirmed trail or will be an overnight saddle bag trip up coast)
What to expect.
Join us for up to 12 weeks on our Working Riding Holiday and volunteer by helping to look after the horses, this is a hands on riding holiday, work and ride the horses in an alternative environment using natural horse care.
For riders staying less than 2 weeks on the “Sunray Farm Riding Holiday”, you can get involved as much or a little as you like and we will fill your days with lots of horse riding and other activities.
Based at Sunray Farm we offer different daily rides around the farm looking for game and from our beach paddocks in Kei Mouth. For a perfect riding holiday, overnight trails can be enjoyed separately or combined to create an authentic rural African experience. Riding at the farm offers a selection of out-rides through indigenous bush looking for naturally occurring game, schooling in our outdoor arena, riding lessons, a mini cross country jumping course, round pen work, several different beach rides in Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay.
We ride our horses using the classic English style while schooling and combine with Western type riding when riding on out rides. You will be involved with the day to day care of the horses, do lots of riding, exercising and schooling the horses, riding through the farm and beach riding. You also have an option to do a multi-day Wild Coast Horse Trail.
This is an excellent environment to get work experience for equine students, advanced riders will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and great riding, intimidate riders can immerses themselves with the horses, and novice & beginner riders’ riding will improve! We require that candidates be horse lovers, must love the great outdoors and have a spirit of adventure to do new things. No other experience is necessary as we will teach you as you go along.
Daily Routine
The program is dependent on prevailing weather and when an overnight trail or short beach ride has been booked! Our morning begins at 7.30 am for breakfast and we start with the horses at 8 am; we have an hour for lunch and finish around 5 pm in the afternoon. If it is very hot we might take a longer lunch and ride later in the cool of the evening. Dinner is served at 7pm.
You get to participate and have tuition in the following.
The inter-connection between horses and people is an integral part of our beliefs, our environment and the way that we work with the horses and riders.
On set dates each month we host a “Natural Horse Workshop” run by Klara Web. Riders who are at the farm over the work shop are automatically included.
Helping with daily feeding.
Grooming, bathing and general care of the horses
Cleaning tack and equipment
Our horses all live out, so there are no stables to muck out, but you will be asked to help tidy up!
Exercise & school horses at Sunray Farm.
Exercise & care of the trail horses at Kei Mouth.
Assisting with out rides and trails at Kei Mouth & Morgan Bay
Riding lessons available for beginners and to boost general confidence and riding.
Work with the young foals & yearlings at Sunray Farm.
Round pen work
A normal working day is from 8 am to 5 pm with an hour for lunch. You spend time caring, working, schooling and exercising horses at Sunray Farm and down at the beach paddocks in Kei Mouth. However, animals and holidaymakers do not keep time, so we may occasionally start a little earlier and finish a little later.
The following is included in your holiday package.
Daily horse riding including riding lessons, out rides and trails on the farm.
Riding at the beach in Kei Mouth & Morgan Bay.
Full Day Rides into the Transkei
Meals at Sunray Farm, Laundry & Accommodation.
You stay with us as part of our family in “The Loft” next to the main homestead at Sunray Farm. This is shared dormitory accommodation.
During the course of your stay if a “Natural Horse Work Shop” is scheduled, riders will participate in the work shop for free!
If everything is done and there are no rides booked, there is lots of free time for the beach, game viewing, exploring our wonderful country and generally having a good time!
Sunray Farm Horse Riding and Working Holidays – Extra activities that are paid separately.
• Overnight trails along the Wild Coast
• The ferry crossing over the Kei River
• Lunches while out on day rides
• Friday night at The Shed
• Inkwenkwezi – Big 5 Jeep Safari – Elephant & Cheetah interaction
• Kei River boat trip on the Fish Eagle
• Abseiling at Morgan Bay
• Township Tour
• Internet connection
• Drinks, refreshments and other snacks
• Gratuities for the house maids at Sunray Farm
• Extra fuel for vehicle for trips that do not fit into the daily schedule
The point of you being with us is to do lots of riding, learn, help out and have fun! It is up to you to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you. The more you participate, the more you will learn and the more you will take home with you.