Healing Through Horses - South Africa

Product Details

This is your chance to join forces with a non-profit organization offering the wonderful service of free horse riding (and instruction) for people with a wide variety of disabilities. Set in a beautiful mountainside valley of vineyards in Cape Town, this location is a real treat for the children who come to ride.

Many children are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. This is a free service, allowing those with limited resources to have access to this very necessary therapy. The horses are carefully chosen and only those with a calm, gentle temperament are selected. The program was carefully designed by people skilled in horsemanship, occupational therapy and physiotherapy and with a thorough understanding of disabilities. The classes vary, and include use of games, music, co-ordination exercises and trail rides.

Each child develops a special friendship with his or her individual horse and for many this relationship stimulates confidence and the ability to trust. By riding, disabled people can exercise muscles they don't usually get a chance to use. There is often fear and apprehension for a disabled child riding for the first time, but soon the horse wins the child's trust, and the children's determination to ride is admirable.

Location
The Cape Town Branch of Healing Through Horses has been operating from its leased premises in the beautiful Constantia Valley since 1983. The center is located in an up market residential area, approximately 5 minutes drive from Constantia Village. Based on the southern side of the city, this is an ideal location to explore the Cape Point Peninsula. To the north of the city is Table Mountain, and Robben Island, and to the east are the famous Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Project Life
Volunteers’ duties are wide and varied. Working hours are 8.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday. All volunteers have the opportunity to work with the horses and to assist during classes, and you may have the chance to train the horses if you have the necessary experience. There are various other duties including working in the stables, maintenance, fundraising activities and administration.

Tours
An interesting sightseeing or activity tour of the Cape Town region is included in your programme. You could cycle down Table Mountain, go tasting in the winelands, watch whales, seals and penguins or explore a township community.

Eligibility and Skills Required

• Minimum age 18 yrs
• You need to be reasonably fit and possess a genuine love for people and horses. You should be compassionate, patient and have the ability to motivate others into giving their best, even when the work is hard. There will be times when you will need to work without supervision, so self-motivation is a must. Horse riding experience is highly beneficial as is experience in working with the disabled and/or with children, but it is not essential as the friendly local staff will be there for guidance. If you enjoy being outdoors, have empathy with those living with disability, love horses and enjoy being on the go, then this is the volunteering project for you!

Please note that acceptance on this programme is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.