Horse Rehabilitation on the Wild Coast

  South Africa

East London

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 2009: April 12, May 10, 31 June 21 July 19, Aug 16 Sept 13 Oct 4 Nov 1

Description: Our Horse Rehabilitation program provides volunteers the chance to experience a working horse farm and to be a part of the day-to-day life of a tourism trail business and rehabilitation center. Chintsa Horses has been running for ten years under the careful dedication of the Dickerson Family. Although the operation is reliant on the tourism trade to maintain the horses and run the rehab center, it is the love of horses that keeps this operation running successfully. Over the years, the local South African government has asked the Dickerson's to assist with horses that have been removed from places of neglect. This has led to the creation of the New Hampshire Rehab Centre. It is this project that is aimed at nurturing abused horses back to good health. The project strives to rehabilitate horses to the point where they can be ridden again and it is these very horses that are used on trails to generate income for the rehab center.

Volunteers will feed and check horses, check horse areas, groom, lung, exercise, and school the horses (demos are also given), care and maintenance of tack, and take beach trails rides.

Highlights: Volunteers have an orientation period that provides a broad understanding of South Africa and the Chintsa area. The history of South Africa, the natural environment, the local culture and customs, and an introduction to IsiXhosa (the local dialect in the region) will be covered. Volunteers will be assessed for their experience with hores, and their riding ability. They will be given basic horse care and handling training, and background on the feeding program.

As a final weekend experience, volunteers will take part in a two day Wild Coast horse trail. Weekend trips are also available at additional cost.

Qualifications: Volunteers should enjoy animals and routine, as that is what works best for these horses.

Cost in US$: Please visit our website for pricing.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There is not a typical volunteer at GeoVisions. Volunteers are college students, retired people, professionals who want to give back in volunteering for a short period of time. Volunteers are interested in conservation, children, poverty, teaching, computers, sports and so much more.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

GeoVisions's Mission Statement: GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.

Year Founded: 2001