The stables are based on a beautiful wildlife reserve in the heart of Zimbabwe. Anyone can volunteer on this project, you don't need any past experience, you don't even need to be able to ride yet! We take complete beginners up to experienced horse riders. The stable is home to over 20 horses which are mostly used for horse safaris around the reserve, but also dressage, jumping, cross country and polo-crosse. They range from well behaved school masters to young horses who need bringing on. The workload will be a mixture of horse management and horse riding.

The reserve the scene for the ideal riding ground. With no large predators roaming around and an abundance of plains game wandering the savannah grasslands, you will have the unique opportunity to get up-close to some incredible wildlife species, including giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala and wildebeest, in a safe environment. Whilst some horse experience is helpful on this project, it is not necessary. We will take those not confident with horses through a gentle training process until they are comfortable with basics, like catching, haltering, tacking up and riding our calmer horses. We hope that by the time you leave you will be happy to join in all the management and riding activities.

Those with horse experience will be allowed to assist or lead activities, such as schooling horses, safari rides, fitness training, riding lessons and wildlife counts on horseback. All riders will have chances to learn the game of polo-crosse and during the competition season (May-August) you can join competitions. Competent riders may be able to play in local or international competitions which are also held at the park on the specially designed polo-crosse field. 

KEY ACTIVITIES

Horse Management 

• Feeding horses in the morning and afternoon

• Veterinary care of injured, sick and rescued horses

• Grooming horses 

• Handling young horses

• Lunging lessons

• Tack maintenance and cleaning

• Hoof care and assisting the farrier

• Natural horsemanship training, from the ground and in the saddle

In the Saddle 

The riding is varied and can change from day to day but you will generally spend 2-4 hours in the saddle each day. During your stay you can get involved in the following riding activities:

• Flat schooling of young horses and those in for rehabilitation

• Protect the reserve, checking fence lines, removing snares and monitoring animals in the park, all whilst on horseback 

• Join the 2 hour safari rides where you will get up close to giraffe, zebra and antelope, weaving among them as they graze peacefully, or cantering alongside them to the thunder of hooves

• Compete in shows. Compete in dressage, polocrosse and jumping shows around Zimbabwe, heading off to different locations around the country. 

• Overnight horse safaris where you and your horses camp out in the bush and enjoy a 3 course meal around the fire under the stars with your friends.

• Sunrise/ Sunset Rides: An African sunrise is truly spectacular, and it looks even better from the saddle. Just like the sunrise, the sunset is equally as beautiful. This is a memory that will last a lifetime.

• Swim the horses in the dam to improve their fitness. Take them in to the water bareback  as they go from a leg deep paddle to a full depth swim. 

• Learn to play polocrosse on our world class field. This fun game involves 2 teams of 3 players, and uses a net on a stick to pick up and carry a ball, aiming for the goals to secure a win for your team.

• Cross-Country. Jump our very own cross-country course, dotted around the game park and develop your show-jumping skills with the African bush as your backdrop.

Other animals you will work with:

The reserve has 4 rescued elephants who spend their days grazing the lawn in front of the dining hall  and at liberty in the reserve, enjoying the most natural environment possible. The reserve does not  agree with the riding of elephants and only positive reinforcement is used to allow safe handling of  these beautiful animals by the trainers.

Volunteers will join an ‘elephant induction’ in their 1st week, where you will meet Amai, Jecha, Tombi  and Chibi the elephants and spend time with them. In the time you spend with the elephants you will  learn about their behaviour, positive reinforcement training and social interactions with one another.  You will take them for a 2 hour walk in the reserve and have amazing photo opportunities of these  happy and relaxed animals living as they should be, unchained and free.

WHAT NEXT?

If you want to get involved in this project and live, breath and work with horses in Africa just fill in the form below and we will be in touch with you right away.

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