Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
12
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Details
Description
Our family ranch is situated close to the Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. We have Tennessee Walking horses (about 30) and offer as soon as weather permits trail rides on the ranch and into the National Park. We added 2 cabins onto our property and affiliated with Hostelling International Canada to add accommodation to our offer since 2015.
Our 1100 acres are spread out including rolling hills, woods and little lakes.
We, the owner Thomas and Ilse run the ranch with the help of Jana, our workawayer turned employee. Our son Ray (who works full time elsewhere) and his wife Valerie helping out when needed. Thomas and Jana are certified guides with the Riding Mountain National Park, Ray and Valerie help train as well our horses and their 2 young sons bring additional life to the ranch.
We value nature, have a garden and love local products. Work depends on the seasons, with summer and fall being the busiest one. We are looking for help in house and garden (vegetables and taking care of our flower beds), if you have cooking skills, we sure would know how to put that to use.
Over the past years we have had regularly volunteers during the summer months. Our origins lie in Germany, but we are proud Canadians since a long time. Languages spoken are German, French and English.
You will have occasion to ride with groups for sure, but the main focus will lie with house and garden.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You love horseback riding or are interested to learn? There will be free opportunities for you.
Depending on the season, you can learn about gardening and harvesting and the ranch operation.
The area offers lot of historic sites, lot of lakes for fishing (gear can be borrowed, license has to be bought) and some for swimming. Summer events in the area consist of rodeos, outdoor live music events, fairs and potentially some powwows, as we do have a First Nation community close by.
The National Park with its town site Wasagaming is in the summer a hot spot for tourist activity (about 50 min away from us).
Become part of our family while here and meet guests from all over the world.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Helping with cleaning and other household chores and maintaining the yard will be the main area, where a volunteer would be appreciated.
As we have a large garden, gardening skills could come in very handy and might get you off the hook that way with cleaning for parts of the season.
There are a few building/renovation projects, which we would look at tackling with the right volunteer and there is probably always something around that needs a painting
Our day starts around 7:30 am with a usually leisurely breakfast. There are a few regular chores that need to be done each day..but the day to day activities differ and gets talked over at breakfast. We will make sure you have your days off (just not always on the weekend) and you are included in festivities, family activities and so on.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
You will have your own room (sometimes shared with a 2nd workawayer). Bathroom/Shower is shared with one other room. There is internet access within your room. Home cooked meals with the family as we will consider you part of our family during your stay.
What else ...
We are out in the country side (15 minutes drive from nearest town). There is usually one extra vehicle available which can be borrowed from May to November to discover the area – having a drivers license and your own vehicle would though be ideal to be more independent. We can arrange for a pick up from the Brandon Airport Shuttle bus, which has daily routes from Winnipeg airport or from the Brandon airport if no vehicle.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
You have your own room with internet access.
Space for parking camper vans
space enough for any size of camper. Access to electricity can be provided
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (6)
They are a really welcoming and easy going family and involve you in everything. - So if you have the opportunity to stay there, go for it!! The work didn't really feel like work - and you will have enough free time to explore the beautiful countryside.
Thomas took me along to a lot… read more
Best wishes!
Photos
Feedback
They are a really welcoming and easy going family and involve you in everything. - So if you have the opportunity to stay there, go for it!! The work didn't really feel like work - and you will have enough free time to explore the beautiful countryside.
Thomas took me along to a lot… read more
Best wishes!
Thanks for the almoust 5 weeks I… read more
Thomas and Ilse
The place is beautiful as well, everyone who… read more
Thanks for showing me how and where you live and for everything i learned from you. And for all the rides and parades you took me along.
I'm looking forward to meet you guys again someday.
Love Elena.
