Help with our Quarter Horses and dogs in the countryside of Antwerp, Belgium

Details

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  Description

  We are Elisabeth and Juan, and together with our 21-year-old son Liam we are about to move to the Antwerpse Kempen region in Belgium. We live in a very quiet, green spot with excellent horse facilities, within walking distance of the Lilse Bergen nature and recreation park. Our family also includes 10 horses (Quarter Horses) and 4 dogs, who all receive plenty of love and daily care. On top of that we breed on a small, hobby scale: the occasional foal (not every year), purely out of love for the horses and not for sale. It is a real joy to be involved with them and give them all our love and attention.
  
  Elisabeth spends her whole day training the horses (our discipline is reining) and taking care of all the animals. That is a lot of work, which is why we are looking for enthusiastic help: someone who comes to live with us for a while and joins in the daily rhythm around the animals. Trust is the most important thing to us: our animals are our most precious treasure, so we are looking for someone with a big heart for animals whom we can trust 100%.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  With us you get a unique chance to get to know the reining discipline and Quarter Horses up close, from daily training to caring for the horses and the occasional foal. You will learn to work with different horses, each with their own character, and get a feel for the daily running of a stable. You can practise your Dutch, English or French (we speak English and French fluently) while discovering quiet Belgian country life and the Antwerpse Kempen. We welcome you as part of our family and fully involve you in daily life.

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  Help

  Please keep in mind that this is physical work: mucking out stables and handling horses requires good fitness and someone who enjoys being outdoors and working with their hands. Experience with horses is a big plus. If you have that experience, there is certainly the possibility to ride yourself, and coming along to competitions is also an option.
  
  We prefer to host two volunteers at the same time, so that there is always someone around to help and the work stays well divided. A couple is welcome. Do keep in mind that your time off will usually not fully overlap, precisely because we like to always have one helping hand on site. We are happy to host you for a period of up to 90 days, and we can welcome someone from November onwards.
  
  Important: we can only host people with EU/EEA nationality (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), so that the stay is fully in line with the rules and no visa or permit is required. Unfortunately we cannot submit an application for non-EU citizens.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  You will have your own apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, where you can relax and have your own space. Please note: the apartment is intended for the two volunteers together, so you share it with the other volunteer. Wifi is available. We provide board and lodging: we take care of the groceries or provide a budget so you can do your own shopping and prepare your own meals. Unfortunately, bringing pets is not possible.

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  What else ...

  We live within walking distance of the Lilse Bergen nature and recreation park, ideal for walking, swimming or relaxing by the water in your free time. Bicycles are available so you can explore the area. There is no car, and you do not need a driving licence.
  
  A few practical arrangements: smoking is not allowed inside the apartment or near the animals, only in the designated areas. Age does not matter to us; what counts is your heart for animals and your reliability.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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