Learn about our life with horses on a small farm in Selbu, Norway

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple, Christian and Uschi, living on a small farm in Middle Norway close to a big lake, 70 km away from Trondheim. Our home is an old traditional Norwegian farm log house, which is still not completely restored, but we are getting there.
  Living with us are 10 Norwegian fjord horses in the age of 7 to 36 years. That is mostly Christian's project. The horses stay outside all year round and are kept barefoot. The horses are used for riding, the older also for driving. We have been able to invest some work over the years into getting the youngsters started in riding, so that all of them finally have been on smaller and longer day trips. But some more riding time has to be spent to make it routine for them. Christian also would like to start driving with one or two of them as he has done with the older ones.
  During the summer months work consists more of helping with setting up/repairing fences and feeding boxes, in late summer we use some time to harvest the food we have for our personal use, only in the garden; like picking some berries, some potatoes (up to 150kg...), and some vegetables. There are also 4-5 bee hives, so we have our own honey. The honey is extracted in September.
  During winter a lot of time is used for feeding the horses with hay, straw and oat, as well as keeping the feeding area clean of horse manure. You will be able to go out riding together with Christian, both during summer and winter.
  Our farm and our horse-keeping is entirely non-commercial. We don't organize any commercial activity with our horses.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Music

  

  Animals

  

  Hiking

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Nature
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You can learn about how to keep horses in a more natural way than traditional horse stables, riding bareback and driving. You should have knowledge of being around horses. As we do our own hoof care, you can get an impression on keeping horses barefoot. We keep our horses differently than many 'ordinary' riding barns do. Horses are ridden and driven bit-less, ridden bareback, are barefoot and they are living outside 24/7 in a herd both summer and winter.
  We are cooking everything from 'the ground up', no frozen pizza or other ultra processed food. We do not eat very much meat. The last steak we had was last Christmas... But we are neither vegans nor vegetarians and use good fish quite often. We are always open for new recipes in case you like preparing food. We make our own bread.

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  Help

  Having so many horses involves tasks with feeding, caring, handling, training. Depending on the season we welcome help with caring for the horses, i.e. feeding, eventually fence work etc. It would be good if you feel comfortable in riding horses. You should have experience with horses and be comfortable with being around animals in general, as we also have 3 dogs and 2 cats. We are looking for people with some practical abilities, like being able to use a hammer, tools etc... ;-)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Norwegian: Fluent
  Portuguese: 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.
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  Accommodation

  You will have your own room and stay with us as part of the family.

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  What else ...

  During summer the water of the lake might be warm enough to go swimming. Cross country skiing, eventually while being pulled by a dog, is something you can do during winter. Horseback riding and horse driving is probably highest on the list.
  Trondheim is the nearest town (70km) with university, museums, theater and more. There is a bus going there.
  We have a piano, guitar, violin and an accordion in the house, in case you like to make music.

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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?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  Luna, Louis, Léon

  Lilly, Mikesch

  Adrian, Mumi, Flora, Flavio, Ennea, Florin, Enjo, Blanka, Enya, Astro

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