Description:
Our new African Horse Project is set only 17 miles from the Kruger National Park gate, in a privately managed game ranch. The ranch is just about 4 square miles in size and, apart from the Horseback experience, also serves as an Environmental Education Center for schools.
The ranch boasts giraffe, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, nyala, duiker, impala, warthog, waterbuck, and a large variety of smaller animals such as porcupines, monkeys, bushbabies, anteaters and wild cats, along with several bird, reptile, and mammal species.
The ranch can accommodate up to 16 students in very comfortable facilities - log cabins with en-suite bathrooms, an Indoor Entertainment Area with, bar and meals served buffet-style inside or cooked around the camp fire, a beautiful swimming pool, amazing stables, and more.
This program is specially designed for anyone who has a passion for horses and wants to experience and learn about the African bush. You will spend your days caring for and riding the horses on the reserve among plentiful wildlife, while also taking part in well structured and extremely informative Equine and Conservation Course.
The emphasis of the program is on offering you a unique bush experience where attention is paid not only to the African Horse and wild animals, but also to aspects of local communities and culture. The project offers a variety of studies and activities that allow equine enthusiasts and keen conservationists of all levels, the enjoyment of working and learning in a natural environment.
The equestrian program consists of:
* Stable yard routine and maintenance
* Grooming
* Breeds and markings
* Hoof care
* Tack and equipment
* Equine nutrition
* Basic veterinary skills
* Dipping for ticks
* Bedding
* Dentition
* Exercising
* Riding skills all students (beginners and advanced) start off in the lunge ring doing exercises, posture, balancing and communication with the horses
* Out rides on the ranch
Conservation
You will participate in our conservation course specifically designed by qualified educators. This course introduces students to South African wildlife, plantation, history, and more.
Basics of game ranch work
* Anti-Poacher Tracking & Control
* Animal, Insect, Plant and Bird Identification & Tracking
* Basic First Aid
* Alien plant identification and control
* Constructing bird hides and decks
* Assist in building lapas, bomas, and stables
* Assist in water and waste management
* Power sources and utilization
* Fauna and flora management
* Animal care
* Fence patrol on horse and on foot, fence repair
* Tracking and monitoring of animal movement between reserves, animal density & movement Mapping
* Road clearance, soil erosion control
* Ecology and man's role in the environment.
* Orientation
* Sleep-outs under the stars
* Food and medicine from the bush
* Ecological surveys on large and small mammals and reptiles, which includes:
- Distribution and tracking
- Feeding
- Behaviour patterns
Typical daily activities at the Horseback Experience may include:
* Stable yard routine, which includes fetching horses from stables, grooming, veterinary checks and hoof care
* Riding lessons
* Lectures
* Farm maintenance
Program Fee: $1595
Program fee includes:
* Housing & meals
* Airport Transfers
* Training
* 24-hour support
* Donations to WESSA (Wildlife Environment Society of South Africa)
* Donations to Endangered Wildlife Trust
* Money received from volunteers is used for wildlife conservation and community efforts in Africa
For more information, visit http://www.workingabroad.org
