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Help with animal care, horse riding and house sitting in Mendoza, Argentina

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Mo (French Nomad traveling since 2011 - Wilderness Survival Instructor and Expedition Paramedic certified from England) and Angie (Polish Nomad- B.Sc Animal Husbandry Major in Horse care, riding, and training) and their 2 little children were traveling with horses through Argentina since July 2018 to June 2020 as a part of the project to travel from Argentina to Mexico on horseback over the course of 10 years.

    When the covid pandemic started we had to stop our expedition and wait till it blew over completely. In 2020, we bought land in Potrerillos, Mendoza province, where we plan to build an eco-friendly tourism site that will feature alternative cabanas, a restaurant, and an adventure center with a variety of outdoor sports. At the moment we have a treehouse cabin, a Mongolian yurt, a converted bus (where volunteers will be sleeping), a swimming pool, play area. As far as the animals, they are more like pets than farm animals used for work, we have 2 horses, 1 sheep, 1 chickens, 1 duck, 4 dogs, and 2 cats. We are seeking volunteers with special skills (experienced horse riders/trainers, construction, maintenance,child educator, artists, musician etc)

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We were travelers like you, we have been traveling around Argentina for 3 years, we know a lot of stories of this country which we will share with you. Living in a super tourist place in Argentina - 8 km from the Potrerillos lake, 4 km from Cacheuta hot springs, 40 km from Tupungato (wine valley - Valle de Uco). We have access to private property of 18,000 hectares of mountains, horseriding tracks, rock climbing, Motorcross tracks, MTB tracks & hiking trials. We work with locals and gauchos (once in a while they will stop by the property) then, you will have the opportunity to have cultural exchanges and maybe share local meals, etc.

    Since it's a 5-day work and you will have 2 days per week to enjoy the country/province.
    You will get to ride horses, learn about horse care and training them.

    We specialize in multi day horseback treks across the mountains, that are available to our volunteers at discounted price.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    In 2024/2025 we are focused on making the place prettier, small construction projects (as we finished most important construction which is our house. VOLUNTEERS WITH DIY SKILLS, ARTISTIC SKILLS, WOODWORKING, CONSTRUCTION OR ANYTHING THEY COULD SHARE/TEACH OUR CHILDREN are people we're looking for this season. Flexibility is important, as every day, week or month might be different, depending on the weather and current projects.
    We don't require you to have experience with horses, but it's definitely a plus.

    Help that we need will be a mix of these things:
    - construction (we have several projects trying to improve the life quality in the terrain, greenhouse, chicken house, yoga-meditation retreat) - general help, passing the tools, holding ladders, painting etc
    - animal care - feeding, watering, taking horses out to the pasture, horse training (if experienced)
    - child care - generally our children (6&7 yo) are very independent, but sometimes we will ask you for engaging in some activities (playing games, taking them horse riding, sharing any useful skills you may have)
    - cleaning common spaces - attention to detail is important

    HORSE RIDING and spending a day out with horses is treated as a reward for your help around the farm. Your first week is a trial week and if we don't feel like your being helpful, we will not feel motivated to offer you horse riding. We had way too many people coming to us for free horse riding, without contributing anything to our project. So we decided that during your first week you won't be going out with horses. Later you have possibility to do it up to two times a week.
    We are more than happy to teach you horse riding basics, horse care, understanding, and communicating with horses if you're a beginner. If you're an advanced horse rider there are plenty of trails in the mountains where you can go on horseback and explore.

    DAY OUT WITH HORSES
    After you feed and water the horses in the morning at 8am, together with other volunteer you will saddle up the horses and ride out 30min-1 hour away from the property looking for a pasture. Once you find good place with grass, you will unsaddle the horses, tie them up, let them graze. You find comfortable place for yourself to sit/lie down on the saddle pads or maybe you prefer to go hiking. You can do whatever you want in that time, as long as occasionally you watch over the horses so that they don't get tangled, or escape. You'll have to pack your lunch that you prepare before, water and any snacks you want for the day. Around 6pm you start saddling up horses again and you make your way back to the terrain. Unsaddle, give water to the horses and your day is finished.

    HELP ON THE FARM
    You will be helping more or less 3 hours in the morning between 8-12 and then late afternoon 2 hours usually 6-8pm. So you will generally have a free time during the day.
    Please bear in mind that above routines are just examples and can vary depending on some urgencies and time of the year.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Polish: Fluent
    Tamil: Fluent
    French: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We are located in a remote area, with no neighbours, scenic mountain views, yet easily accessible by the main road - 30km from Mendoza, 10km from Potrerillos. We have a modified bus which is our primary living space. You will be staying either in one of the bedrooms in the bus or in the Yurt (cabin that we normally rent).
    The bedroom is shared between the volunteers but the kitchen, bathroom, shower, and dining area are shared by all. The accommodation features wood and gas heating, hot water shower. You can enjoy the swimming pool in the summer.

    You need to be conscious about water consumption and minimise it. It's not a normal household, IT'S A DESERT. Shower is possible 1 a week or at extra charge. No laundry or washing clothes - you can take it down to the laundromat on your days off. Water here cost us 500 usd monthly, that's why we have to put restrictions as people in the past abused it a lot. Washing dishes has to be done in a specific way, you never leave water tap running and open.

    Whole place is run by solar energy and only during day we'll have electricity. You can charge your phones then.

    Basic food products for cooking are provided. We go shopping once a week. We are far away from supermarket, so plan carefully what you need.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are located right in the middle of most tourist spots Mendoza has to offer. You can easily go to Potrerillos lake, the valley of UCO, the best wines in the country offering wine tasting and winery tours, 60 minutes drive to Mount Aconcagua, the tallest summit outside Asia and the highest in all Americas. There are several adventure activities such as horseriding (in the house), kayaking, SUP, canoeing, white water rafting, rock climbing (in the house), zipline, paragliding, hot springs and resort etc.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Our place has Starlink internet, but it's speed and reliability depends on weather.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Yes, we welcome volunteers in campervans and our property is by the main road RN7, and a 4X4 is NOT required. 30 meters from the asphalt road.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5h hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 787375582758

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