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Force-free Equine Sanctuary Assistant
Highlights
- Force-free horse training: Learn gentle but scientific techniques for horse communication, building trust, including positive reinforcement methods.
- Ethical horse training: Discover responsible practices that prioritise the horse's well-being, emphasising humane and respectful approaches.
- Horse needs first: Focus on understanding and meeting the horse's physical and emotional requirements for a happy, healthy partnership.
- Non-riding interactions: Explore diverse bonding activities, from grooming to ground exercises, strengthening the horse-human connection.
- Time and Space for growth: Transformative horse companionship fosters empathy, communication, and self-awareness, enabling meaningful personal development.
- Force-free horse training: Learn gentle but scientific techniques for horse communication, building trust, including positive reinforcement methods.
- Ethical horse training: Discover responsible practices that prioritise the horse's well-being, emphasising humane and respectful approaches.
- Horse needs first: Focus on understanding and meeting the horse's physical and emotional requirements for a happy, healthy partnership.
Especially good for
About the program
Join our team as a Force-Free Equine Assistant. Learn compassionate horsemanship and animal care while making a real impact on the lives of our rescued herd. 🐴✨
Programme Details
This programme is designed for dedicated animal lovers who want to dive deep into the world of compassionate horsemanship. Unlike a general help exchange, the Equine Programme (EP) is an educative experience focusing on the welfare, psychology, and force-free training of our rescued ...
Typical day
The Morning Rhythm
Your day begins with a beautiful 15-minute walk from the village to the finca (project site). As the sun rises over the mountains, you will hear the horses calling for breakfast. You can eat before you leave or bring a picnic breakfast to enjoy during a break in the fresh mountain ...
Free-time activities
The big festival ad water fight in Atajate in August.
A German beer ...
Requirements
What's Included
Add-ons & Experiences
Perfect for hikers who enjoy the breath-taking two-hour (mostly) downhill walk with stunning views to the river but want the reward of a comfortable, ...
What's NOT included?
Details on arrival
Start Dates
The programme is available all year round with flexible start dates and duration. Days off are also flexible—you choose which day or days and how many. While your hosts will also take flexible days off, we will endeavour to either leave a suitable volunteer in charge or coordinate our days off together.
✈️ Our closest airport is Málaga (Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, AGP).
If you wish to use public transport, please note the following connections:
- Málaga Airport to Málaga City: Take the short, regular-running small bus or train from the airport to Málaga Maria Zambrano Station.
- Málaga to Ronda: Take a bus or train to Ronda.
- Ronda to Atajate: Catch the connecting bus to Atajate, which typically departs around 4:15 pm on weekdays.
The total journey from Málaga to Atajate will cost under €20 by public transport.
Weekend/Late Arrival: If you miss the last bus or arrive on a weekend, we can collect you for €25 if we are available. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Ronda.
⌛ Recommended Flight Times: We recommend that your arrival flight lands in the morning or early afternoon if you plan to use the bus, and that your departure flight is not before midday. If your flight times do not fit the public transport schedule, you should plan another form of arrival or stay overnight in Málaga.
If you are arriving with your own car or hiring a car from Málaga airport, navigate to the village of Atajate (postcode 29494). Please contact us beforehand for the accommodation address.
For convenience and economy, we recommend arranging a private pickup.
Service:Important Note: This collection service is highly popular and is subject to availability. The journey will be provided by someone connected to the association or a trusted local. We ask that you pay the driver directly in cash upon arrival, separate from your programme donation.
The drive from Málaga airport to Atajate takes approximately two hours. It is usually possible to stop in Ronda (30 minutes from Atajate) on your way if you need an ATM or anything from a shop—please just ask the driver.
Volunteer photos
Location
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