Welcome to The Equine House
Meet, Work and Ride Together
The Equine House Working Holiday Program offers an immersive experience for horse lovers who want to spend time working with horses while living in one of South Africa’s most scenic wildlife regions. Volunteers become part of the daily life of the stable, helping with the care and management of the horses while gaining practical experience in a working yard.
Google Reviews ★★★★★ 4.7
Equine House
Working Holiday
Come for the horses, become part of the yard. Choose your dates and length of stay, and enquire with our team to check availability.
From
€1734/per person
for 2 Weeks
- Riding and hands-on horse care
- Available all year round
- Community outreach experience
Working Holiday Experience
Our working holiday program is designed for guests who want to be actively involved in the day-to-day life of a working horse yard. Participants become part of the stable routine, assisting with horse care, yard duties, riding preparation, and practical equine activities.
The experience is ideal for those who want to learn by doing, spend meaningful time around horses, and enjoy the bushveld setting of Hoedspruit. Participants assist with the care and management of the horses while learning how a working equestrian yard operates.
- Hands-on horse care and stable duties
- Grooming, feeding, and general yard support
- Lunging, groundwork, and tack care
- Trail rides through surrounding wilderness areas
- Practical guidance from The Equine House team
- Exposure to calm handling and horse welfare practices
- Time spent in a welcoming, supportive stable environment
The Working Holiday Programme
Hoedspruit, South Africa
Zandspruit Bush & Aero Estate, Hoedspruit, South Africa
Available all Year Round
Open to participants all year round
Multiple Length Stays
Flexible stay options are also offered to suit different schedules and travel plans
What clients say
Testimonial
I spent five wonderful weeks at the Equine House and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team during this time. From the very first day, I felt welcomed and included, which made my stay even more special.
One thing that stood out to me immediately was how well the horses are cared for. All of them are in excellent condition, well looked after, and have a calm and clear mindset. It was a real pleasure to work with them every day. I especially enjoyed going on trail rides with the horses and spending time with them outside in nature. Riding them was always a highlight of my day.
Sina
5 Weeks
Working For the Horses
ACTIVITIES
A key part of the working holiday is learning how to support the wellbeing of the horses, not only how to ride them. Volunteers assist with practical work that helps the horses physically, mentally, and emotionally. This may include enrichment activities, desensitisation exercises, confidence-building tasks, groundwork, and calm handling support.
The goal is to give participants a deeper understanding of horse behaviour and the importance of working with patience, trust, and awareness.
This may include:
- Grooming and bonding time
- Groundwork and handling practice
- Horse enrichment activities
- Desensitisation exercises
- Confidence-building activities
- Team-building exercises with horses
- Riding games and engagement activities
- Support for horses with behavioural challenges or past trauma
Riding and Horse Activities
ACTIVITIES
Riding forms an important part of the working holiday experience. On arrival, each participant takes part in a riding assessment. This is not a test. It simply helps the team understand each rider’s ability, confidence, and experience so that they can be matched with suitable horses and activities.
Participants may also have the opportunity to ride different horses during their stay, allowing them to experience the individual personalities, movement, and riding styles of the horses at The Equine House.
Activities may include:
- Supervised riding sessions
- Guided bushveld trail rides
- Wilderness rides across the 600-hectare traversing area
- Horse handling and groundwork
- Preparing horses before rides
- Cooling horses down after rides
- Confidence-building riding exercises
- Desensitisation and team-based activities
Daily Stable Life During Your Stay
ACCOMODATION
Each day follows the natural rhythm of the horses and the yard.
Volunteers typically participate in the program from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00, with a lunch break between 12:00 and 14:00.
Schedules may vary depending on weather, trail bookings, lessons, horse care needs, and special activities. Morning activities may include grooming, hoof checks, feeding, taking horses out to paddocks, preparing horses for rides, joining trail rides, untacking horses, cooling them down, and cleaning tack.
Afternoon activities may include lunging, groundwork, preparing horse feed, cleaning water buckets, organising tack and equipment, assisting with stable management duties, and helping with enrichment or confidence-building activities. This daily structure gives participants a realistic understanding of stable life and the level of care involved in working with horses properly.
Special Activities
The working holiday is not only about the daily yard routine.
During the standard two-week stay, volunteers also take part in extra activities that make the program feel more immersive, memorable, and connected.
These are designed to bring together horses, nature, responsibility, teamwork, and local insight, giving volunteers a deeper understanding of life at The Equine House and the region around it.
These activities include:
- Guided trail rides where volunteers may see wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, impala, and other plains game from horseback.
- A 2-night overnight horse camp, where volunteers ride with the horses to a neighbouring farm, camp under the African sky, help care for the horses away from the main yard, and enjoy evenings around the fire.
- Community outreach, where volunteers visit a nearby community and gain insight into local education initiatives, fundraising activities, and daily life beyond the equestrian yard.
- A broader South African working holiday experience, combining horses, wildlife, outdoor adventure, practical responsibility, and meaningful local connection.
Information For Your Stay
Rates
| Duration | Dollar | Euro | Pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $3,635 ($1,818 per week) | €3,345 (€1,673 per week) | £2,910 (£1,455 per week) |
| 3 weeks | $4,990 ($1,664 per week) | €4,590 (€1,530 per week) | £3,995 (£1,332 per week) |
| 4 weeks | $6,345 ($1,587 per week) | €5,840 (€1,460 per week) | £5,080 (£1,270 per week) |
From
€1734/per person
for 2 Weeks
- Riding and hands-on horse care
- Available all year round
- Community outreach experience
Included
- Accommodation at The Equine House
- Food provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Horse riding and practical horsemanship activities
- Daily involvement in horse care and yard routines
- Riding assessment on arrival
- Two-night overnight horse camp
- Regular community outreach activities
- Weekly trip into Hoedspruit for personal shopping
Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa costs, where applicable
- Personal spending, snacks and additional drinks
- Optional excursions or activities outside the programme
- Any personal transport or travel arranged outside the programme
Required
- Valid passport and appropriate visa, where required
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Suitable riding and outdoor clothing
- Closed riding boots or suitable footwear
- Comfortable clothing suitable for practical yard work
- Willingness to take part in both riding and non-riding horse care activities
Travel Information
- Located at Zandspruit Bush & Aero Estate in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa
- Hoedspruit is the closest town to The Equine House
- Participants should plan their travel to arrive in Hoedspruit
- Full arrival and transfer arrangements are provided before your stay
- Allow for South Africa’s seasonal weather when packing, particularly hot summers and cooler winter mornings and evenings
- Entry and visa requirements depend on your nationality and should be checked before travelling
Ready to Join the Working Holiday?
If you are looking for a hands-on horse experience in South Africa, this working holiday gives you the chance to be part of a real equestrian yard, work closely with horses, ride through wildlife reserve areas, and experience life in the Hoedspruit region. Whether you are a horse lover, equine student, gap year traveller, or someone wanting a meaningful break with practical purpose, The Equine House team can help you understand the package, availability, requirements, and what to expect from your stay.
Enquire today to find out if this working holiday is the right fit for you.
Working Holiday Enquiry Form
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Frequently Asked Questions
What riding experience do I need?
You do not need to be an advanced rider, but previous riding experience is recommended. When you arrive, you will complete a riding assessment so the team can understand your ability, confidence and experience and match you with suitable horses and activities.
How long can I stay?
The Working Holiday offers different duration options, allowing you to choose a stay that suits your travel plans and the amount of time you would like to spend at The Equine House. Longer stays also give you more time to settle into the yard routine, work with different horses and develop your riding and horsemanship.
What is included in the Working Holiday?
Your stay includes accommodation, food for your main meals, riding and horsemanship activities, participation in the daily care of the horses, a two-night overnight horse camp and regular community outreach activities. Some personal expenses, flights, insurance and optional activities are not included.
How do I book my Working Holiday?
Start by sending us an enquiry with your preferred dates, intended length of stay and some information about your riding experience. We will confirm availability and provide the information you need to secure your place and prepare for your trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Participants should arrange comprehensive travel insurance before travelling to South Africa and make sure their policy specifically covers horse riding and equestrian activities. You should also check passport and visa requirements for your nationality before booking your flights.