Looking for animal and nature lovers in the Midi Pyrenees, France

France

updated Last minute

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Host rating
Feedback
40
Last activity
24/05/2020
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
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This listing is a Last minute host. They have let us know that they are looking for help immediately as well as at other times of the year.

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Availability

2020

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Description
*** looking for immediate help***
We are Thorsten and Sabrine. We emigrated few years ago from Switzerland to France and live in a very secluded little paradies with our animals.
Thorsten works in the aviation business and I take care of our little farm with 5 retired "pension" -horses (they are originally from Switzerland, they enjoy now their retirement here in SW France). We have two Knabstupper mares of our own and occasionally they will have foals. They are all very relaxed, peaceful and friendly - perfect for somebody who would like to get (back) confidence around horses.
Our family is completed by 2 gorgeous dogs, 4 adorable cats and 9 charming chickens.

Looking for somebody with horse skills for the months April - June 2020:
We have a two weeks old foal - so I am looking for some help during the months May and June.
Skills for horses and maybe also with foals is a plus.

For all other months: You don't have to be horsefreak - we are also interested in carpenters, cleaners, permaculture and/or handcraft people and a lot of other qualities :-)
Type of help
Gardening
General Maintenance
Farmstay
Help in the house
Animal care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can transmit everything I know about horses with an ethological approach in respect of the animal. I do have a diploma of the Swiss Stud (Haras National) and can learn you everything which has to do with horsekeeping including medical issues and feeding guidelines. But I will not teach riding lessons.
Please be aware that we are not french, that's to say even if I can speak french I cannot teach you in french. To really learn french you should look out for another host...
Help
The areas we need help with are :
- everything that has to do with horse keeping: feeding, cleaning the stables and the tackroom, fencing, brushing the horses, hay making and maintaining the 6ha of pastureland.
- Another daily task would be taking care of our chickens.
- Picking up dog poo around the house

Depending on the season some
- gardening tasks (we have a big vegetable garden) or
- some carpenter work (we always have carpenter projects to build) or
- some wood protection work (painting the terrasse, the window shelters...) or
- general cleaning e.g. some house cleaning tasks or
- special projects for sanitaryengineers or tilers

If you are a very good, horseminded rider you could also help with educating my Knabstrupper horses. They are used to saddle, know the basic things, but they need a lot of exercise. I do ride bitless and with the sense of natural horsemanship (eg Pat Parelli, Linda Tellington-Jones, Michael Geitner, Alfonso Aguillar...).
I cannot garantee you that you can ride my horses, it depends on how good you ride and also upon your weight.
Languages spoken
Swiss German, German, French and English
Accommodation
You would stay on your own in our small guesthouse few meters away from the main house. It has a small living room with a kitchenette (incl. refrigerator and cooker), a bedroom and you have your own bathroom with toilet, douche and a small bathtub. And there is your own washingmachine. I can accomodate two Workawayers at the same time. But mormally we prefer to have one workawayer at a time or a couple.
There is also our swimming pool you can use...

Breakfast food would be equipped in the guest house so breakfast has to be prepared on your own (because I don't eat any breakfast). Lunch and dinner would be at the main house together with us.

Special diaries are no problem: so if you are vegan or vegeterian or ... - just tell me. I am also nearly vegeterian only few exeptions.
What else ...
Our place is quite remote and there is no public transport. It is very quiet and calm. You must love nature and animals.
But if you look for peace and tranquility, in harmony with nature and animals and in the evening a good dinner with a glass of nice red wine (or other) and a good chat then it is the proper place to stay :-)
I really like to mention that we are looking for a gentle & careful person, rather calm. Not a kind of "pampam" person. Thank you.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
25 hours per week, 2 days off

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Feedback left by and about host (40)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.7)

Communication:
(5.0)

22/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Doris & Florian) for host

5 wundervolle Tage verbrachten wir bei Sabrine und Thorsten. Sabrine ist ein so offener Mensch. Sie zeigte uns alles in Ruhe und wir fühlten uns sofort wohl. Das Gästehaus (Schlafzimmer, Küche, Bad, Waschmaschine, WiFi) ist ein absoluter Luxus! Sabrine versorgte uns mit Lebensmitteln und somit konnten wir uns an manchen Tagen selbst etwas kochen.… read more

(Excellent )

28/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host

I spent 10 days at the beginning of October with Sabrine and Thorsten. The two are so loving, open and sympathetic people. I felt very well and in good hands with them and really enjoyed the many delicious meals.
I stayed in a beautifully prepared gite next to the house where I felt like on vacation :) The first days I had the gite for myself and… read more

(Excellent )

22/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Rahel)

Liebe Rahel,
vielen Dank für Deine tolle Unterstützung. Auch wenn es nur ein paar Tage waren, so habe ich doch Deine unglaubliche Hilfsbereitschaft sehr geschätzt. Dir ist nichts zu viel und mit Deiner unkomplizierten, fröhlichen Art bist Du eine Bereicherung. Nochmals vielen Dank und hoffentlich auf ein ander Mal ein paar Tage länger ;-)

(Excellent )

12/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Rahel) for host

Auch wenn ich nur ein paar Tage bei Sabrine und Thorsten war, habe ich mich von Anfang an sehr wohl bei ihnen und ihren Tieren gefühlt. Wer gerne mehr über naturnahe Haltun und Fütterung von Pferden sowie Horsemanship lernen möchte ist bei Sabrine genau an der richtigen Adresse. Danke dafür dass ich innerhalb der doch kurzen Zeit einen so guten… read more

(Excellent )

06/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Elena)

Elena came to stay with us for nearly two months and was such a great help: she worked really hard painting all kind of wood: terrasse floor, little barn, wood chairs and tables and this apart from the daily business with all the animals.
Elena has a lovely nature. She is kind, conscientious and really easy going. Looking forward to your next… read more

(Excellent )

06/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Elena) for host

I spent almost 2 months at the farm, and I can garantee that when they say it’s a 'little paradise' they don’t lie.

The animals are treated in a way that respects their natural/wild condition as far as posible; they all live free and happy. That is reflected in a peaceful harmony that surrounds the farm. When I think of Sabrine and Thorsten, the… read more

(Excellent )

27/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Miriam)

Five stars for Miriam for sure! Miriam is the kind of work awayer you don't want to leave! She is doing everything with a smile and open to help in any job and she will do it very well and precise. She is very uncomplicated and I like her attitude a lot. She is carying, soft and nice with the animals and really a very real nice energie to have… read more

(Excellent )

19/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Miriam) for host

I have stayed at the farm for 4 weeks from January to February 2019. I really enjoyed every single day there und I can highly recommend this place.
About the people: Sabrine and Thorsten are very friendly, calm and caring people. They always made sure that I was happy and they supplied me with everything I needed. We spoke German but it it was an… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sanna)

Thank you Sanna for helping me on a short term notice, thank you for all your work. It was just a very short time here, but I really appreciated all your work. I hope it was a great pleasure to see your doggy back home again which you missed so much.

(Excellent )

10/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sanna) for host

My 2 weeks here were amazing. I couldn't have felt more at home than I did in the little cabin. The area was beautiful and all the animals were so friendly and I miss them already! Thank you Sabrine and Thorsten for an amazing experience!

(Excellent )

18/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Corinna)

Corinna is a very warm hearted, lovely women - it was a great pleasure having her here at our farm. She can feel the needs of the animals is very gently and respectful with everybody. She always fullfills the tasks with the reasonable care and with all her sensitiveness. To have Corinna here at our farm was really magnificient, both of us matched… read more

(Excellent )

28/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Corinna) for host

This was my first workaway experience, and I can't imagine a better start. Sabrine and Thorsten are incredibly warm and generous hosts, and they really made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. Their kindness shapes the atmosphere on the whole farm. It was such a pleasure being around their horses, dogs, cats and chickens, because every… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Britta)

We also had a fantastic time with you dear Britta. Workawayers like you are always very welcome here in our little paradise... You were reliable, hard working and working independeltly and also you saw things that have to be done on your own and attacted them. We hope we get to see you again one day ...

(Excellent )

27/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Britta) for host

I had a fantastic week at Sabrine and Thorsten´s little paradise in France. The place is idyllic and very well kept. Due to Sabrine´s utmost care, the animals are very happy and relaxed. It´s a joy to be around them and the work in the fresh air is a welcome change for someone who doesn´t normally live in the countryside. I loved the little cosy… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Zara )

Thank you very much for your support Zara - only 4 days but I could see that you can work. You are very welcome again another time ;-)

(Excellent )

05/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Zara ) for host

I stayed at Sabrine's for only 4 days but had a great time there. I was with another Workwayer and we had our own guest cabin, which was very peaceful and had a lovely outside area to sit and enjoy the sun. The work consisted of cleaning out the stables for 1-2 hours in the morning and then again in the evening. We also weeded the sand school for… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (sophie & Lina)

Best memories for Sophie and Lina. They were so interested in all kinds of themes and questioned a lot, which I do like a lot. We had very interesting conversations. But also their work was a five-star rating: very efficient and there was no work which was annoying for them. They were always motivated with a smile on their face. In one little… read more

(Excellent )

23/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (sophie & Lina) for host

Best memories in France forever. Sabrine and Torsten are the loveliest hosts you can imagine. It may sounds silly to say that you felt like home on the first day, but that is exactly how it was. Apart from the fully equipped little sweet guesthouse, the atmosphere throughout the yard was very idyllic. the meals were, as well as the whole life, of… read more

(Excellent )

12/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Yoshino)

Thanks so much for your help during almost 3 weeks dear Joshino - it was a pleasure to host you! Nothing was too much for you, you have fulfilled every task.
Joshino was always willing to volunteer for whatever task needing doing, and to take ownership of the task in hand. Always asking to help, even after the official working hours!
It was… read more

(Excellent )

16/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Karsta) for host

I stayed almost 4 weeks, 2 weeks longer than originally planned, and I had a great time. The farm is a quiet haven with happy animals and nice people.
The work was really not too hard: in the morning I was mucking out the stable for 2-3 hours and again 1-2 hours in the evening, when I also helped with the feeding of the horses. The afternoon I… read more

(Excellent )

28/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Karsta)

Karsta was our first workawayer in 2018 and the year started perfectly. She is a very good worker who mastered every task quickly and efficiently. It was a pleasure to have her on our farm. I like her calm and thoughtful way of working.
Luckily for us, she stayed longer than she had originally planned, helping me in the stables very… read more

(Excellent )

16/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Teresita) for host

Thanks for you feedback Sabrine!!
I spent 4 lovely weeks , in the months of November and December. Life there was quiet and peaceful, sharing everyday with Sabrine, Thorsten and lot's of different personalities; including the horses, doggies, cats and chickens, who live in a beautiful harmony. The work I did was mainly helping Sabrine in the daily… read more

(Excellent )

10/01/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Teresita)

Teresita remained at the end one month with us and time passed very quickly with her. She was not only great company, but discrete, helpful, very kind, always in a good mood and easy to have around. Her work is very accurate and in depth.
Just fitted in and got on with the tasks in hand, willing to help no matter what the task was. Thank you very… read more

(Excellent )

18/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Carole) for host

J'ai passé 4 semaines avec Sabrine et Thorsten, en septembre-octobre, un moment magnifique, si agréable et instructif ! Ce sont des hôtes extrêmement respectueux et attentifs, mais aussi chaleureux et sereins. Le gite où logent les volontaires est parfait, si coquet et pratique, les repas sont naturels, équilibrés et succulents, j'ai appris un tas… read more

(Excellent )

16/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Carole)

Carol is a bright, intelligent, high educated, young at heart woman, always willing to give a helping hand. She works hard and learns very quickly. No job was to difficult or too boring or too dirty. What we liked most, is that she was completely becoming one with our farm and all our animals. She never counted the hours - she saw the task which… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Kyra)

Kyra has been a wonderful guest, interesting, helpful and cheerful. We have certainly enjoyed her company!
On the work front, Kyra has been extremely valuable. She spent 2 weeks with us, and despite having to work a lot of the time alone she was always in a good mood - nothing was too much for her and she never counted the hours.
Thank you again… read more

(Excellent )

17/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Kyra) for host

To say that Sabrine and Thorsten are good hosts would be an understatement. I honestly have no idea how they manage to be that attentive and cheerful alongside all the daily work they do on the farm. Workawayers get to live in a pretty little guest house with all amenities and the possibility to really get involved in the farm life and spend a lot… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Stephanie)

Stephanie was with us for one week only which was defenitely too short! Stephanie, thank you again for your help and the Yoga session. What a great pleasure to have met you.

(Excellent )

06/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Stephanie) for host

I had a great week in this little paradise, surrounded bu nature, happy horses and sweet hosts. Thorsten and Sabrine are very nice persons and we had nice dinners together. There is a garden and they grow their own tomatoes, zucchini,... The place is very quiet and remote but it's such a good place to disconnect. If you are a nature lover, this is… read more

(Excellent )

10/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (eleonora) for host

This was my 6th workaway and I'm really afraid I can't top it!
Sabrine and Thorsten are a great couple and they'll enjoy if you want to get involved in the real peaceful countryside life they have here.
The property is beautiful and well kept in any aspect, i had never seen an horse place like this before.
The volunteer(s) accommodation is in a… read more

(Excellent )

06/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (eleonora)

Eleonora stayed for about 10 days and immediately got stuck in helping with various projects. Ele joined in to Lisa who was alreday here for one week and the two young women sympatized and worked together hand in hand. First they did the daily stable work in the morning and then they continued with different projects to work on like the painting… read more

(Excellent )

06/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa)

Lisa stayed for a bit more than two weeks and immediately got stuck in helping with various projects. After one week Eleonore joined in and the two young women worked hand in hand. First they did the daily stable work in the morning and then they continued with different projects to work on like the painting of the wood frames of the gîte and the… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Ika)

We were also very pleased having you as our workawayer.
Ika stayed a bit more than two weeks and fitted into life here very quickly, she is quite independent and work on her own. She is hard working with always a smile and ready to have a go at anything we suggested. This was a pleasure!
We also enjoyed the talks in the evening after a lot of… read more

(Excellent )

31/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Ika) for host

My time with Sabrine and Thorsten on their farm was wonderful. I was warmly welcomed and made feel at home from the moment I arrived. Sabrine and Thorsten are open, beautiful people and ideal hosts. I got my own gite, close to the main house, with lots of privacy and very comfortable. Sabrine made sure I was very well fed, and I really appreciated… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Ruben)

Ruben helped out with a variety of jobs during his stay and excelled at all of them. A keen worker, happy to to get stuck into anything that needed doing, excellent in cleaning jobs and with a lot of self-discipline. He does all the work in a very calm way, what I really appreciated, this is very important around animals, not to be hectic. Very… read more

(Excellent )

08/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Ruben) for host

The two weeks I spent with Sabrine (and Thorsten for a few days) just flew by. It started as a wonderful summer holiday with great hot days and a lot of sunshine before it turned into a more rainy grey time. But either way I enjoyed my time on the farm. The guesthouse is a lovely little house with everything you need, it definitely gives some… read more

(Excellent )

10/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Katie)

Also WOW!
We have loved having Katie staying with us at our home and working for us. From the beginning we had a wonderful relationship and a friendship that turned out and will last hopefuly for a long time. She is so warm, friendly and cheerful and has fitted into our farm with all the animals so easily.
I have enjoyed her company, our… read more

(Excellent )

02/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Katie) for host

WOW. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been able to spend time with Sabrine & Thorsten and all of their lovely animals. I felt this way every day of the 3-weeks I spent with them.
I was warmly welcomed, and immediately made to feel at home, given my own guest cabin to stay in, which was treated extremely respectfully as my own private space.… read more It was lovely, clean, well-appointed (kitchen! bathroom! 2 bed areas! incredibly comfortable beds! wi-fi!! etc.). It was made clear to me that I could feel comfortable being in Sabrine & Thorsten's home as well, and welcomed to use their kitchen. I was so well fed, with Sabrine kindly considering my tastes and food requirements. Sabrine always prepared generous and healthy meals for me to share with her, and with her and Thorsten. And Thorsten made charming special brunches on the weekends.
Sabrine and Thorsten are such a kind, intelligent, and happy couple--it was a sincere joy to get to share their lives with them for a while. They absilutely adore their home and their life there, and to be a brief part of that felt very special. They refer to their home, their farm, as a "paradise" and they have made it so. Their pleasure radiates from them, and makes spending time with them just delightful.
All of Sabrine and Thorsten's animals (their horses, cats, dogs & chickens) are loved, respected, and incredibly well cared for. They are adored! I got to know them all, and learned so much more about chickens, and horses, about which I truly knew next-to-nothing before my visit.
I came to Sabrine & Thorsten's hoping to do lots of outdoor, physical work, and I was rewarded by being able to help as much as I wanted, cleaning out stables, and with general tasks on the farm, which was what I was hoping for. Sabrine also worked hard to come up with work and jobs that she felt might interest and engage me. She was great to work for and with, able to be specific about her needs, and letting me know that she appreciated my work and that it was well done, which felt great.
The farm is in a lovely area, with many surrounding woods that I was able to both walk and take runs in. Their air is incredible. The landscape gorgeous.
I had such a wonderful time getting to know all of the animals, and learning more about their care.
I am left so thankful for being so warmly received. For being included in their family, and being made to feel welcome and appreciated. This was a never-endingly delightful, wonderful experience. I miss everyone--Sabrine and Thorsten, Curly, Pipi, Hector, Maggie, Bertha, Mate, Chili, Bresgo, Leila, Jocelyn, Filou, Jara, Jette, Laika, Hilli, Viola, Junnee, Japaskin, Hercule, Tamana, and Jumaana.

(Excellent )

16/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (nadia)

Thank you Nadia for finding me amongst so many choices of hosts. You are a more than excellent workawayer!

Nadia did a huge amount of different work: all kind of horse keeping duties, dog training, cat cuddeling and taking care of the chickens ... but also cleaning, cooking, helping with whatever had be done. She works very independently and… read more

(Excellent )

15/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (nadia) for host

I spent six weeks at this farm and I can only agree with the defintion of a 'little paradise'. Surrounded by a beautiful countryside with the company of a lovely tribe of friendly animals the place is an oasis of tranquillity and peace. I helped out with the horse keeping and general farm work and the work was always pleasant and stress-free.… read more

(Excellent )

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