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Enjoy the sound of silence with our lovely horses in the rural life of Otersen, Germany

Germany
Favourited 496 times
Last activity: 19 Apr 2024

Profile information

Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 26 days
Feedback
12
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Badges (3)

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Availability

2024

Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Description
Do you love nature and the peaceful live of a forest? Would you enjoy being surrounded by (wild) deer, horses, sheep, dogs and a cat? Are you ready to support us at our farm? If so, please contact us soon.
We live in a large traditional country house which was built in 1904 as a remote train station to connect our village with the nearest town. The railroad was already suspended in 1930 but the house was converted into a farm and guesthouse. The place is located in 1 km distance from the village (500 inhabitants) at the edge of the forest. The village "Otersen" has been portrayed by German TV as the "Paradise at the (river) Aller". If you come to our place you would meet Hellmut (the owner), Merle (a former workawayer and just graduated veterinarian) and Sandra (long-term workaway). We are requiring help not only for the ongoing activities but also for making our farm an even better place. There are always new projects we are excited about such as building a chicken house or an outdoor-kitchen.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Improve/learn German, experience German life in the countryside!
Opportunity to ride horses regularly (dependent on your height/weight and experience)
Visits to local parks: Serengeti park Hodenhagen, wolves park, birds park Walsrode.
Unlimited walking, hiking, cycling and canoing opportunities.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Activities include:
Maintanance, building, refurbishing
Caring for horses, sheep and cat
Gardening
Cooking
Cleaning
4 ,5 hours / day

Daily tasks will include cleaning the horses' stables, preparing their food, giving them fresh water, grooming them, putting them in their field and bringing them in, cleaning and checking their field, feeding the sheep and the cat, cleaning the house, gardening ...

For skilled workawayers there are many opportunities for practicing your craft: working with wood, renovating, fencing etc. ....
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Italian: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
I would be interested to improve my foreign language skills by learning from workaway guests.
Accommodation
You will have your own private bedroom in a comfortable large house. You will also have access to all other parts (kitchen, living room, dining room etc) of the house. There is a washing machine available for your laundry. Although the place is very remote, high-speed internet is available.

Free food will be provided and prepared in turns by the host and the volunteer(s).
What else ...
The nearest train station is located in Verden (15km) with a local bus operating to the village. Pick-up service from train station will be arranged.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Fast Wifi
Space for parking camper vans
There is plenty of space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4,5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 735173918823

Feedback (9)

8 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer (Blanche) for host

I stayed at Hellmut's for about three weeks. When I first arrived, I was amazed by how nice his place is and how green it is. It was kinda like my little girl's dream to live just a few meters away from 8 horses and hear them neigh from my bedroom! The facilities were exceptionally nice and comfortable. Hellmut also made a particular effort to… read more

(Very good )

22 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Pelostravel) for host

Amigo Hellmut muchas gracias Por todo!

I stayed with hellmut for almost 3 weeks, it was a dream! with the beautiful nature surrounding the place and with the beautiful horses and also with the company of the famous cat 🐈‍⬛! and the sheep alfa and Berta! I really enjoyed the all stay I meet amazing people and the surroundings thanks to Hellmut!… read more

(Excellent )

15 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host

This host requested me when I signed up for the last minute work away list in Germany. He was my first stop when eventually made it to Germany. He runs an air BnB and a boarding stable. I stayed just under one month with him. The work consisted of fencing, hedge trimming, using a chainsaw and a splitter to make firewood and mucking out, leading to… read more pasture and feeding of six horses. Approximately half of the work was connected to the daily care of six of the eight horses living there. Also the volunteers take turns to cook an evening meal. The accommodation I was given is very nice. It is a nice area for horses to live in a large forest, a good opportunity to learn about horses. I worked with Pablo who taught me as much as he could about taking care of horses. We would work along side the host but only an hour or two per day. The host worked mostly in his office or at other locations.Only two horses belonged to the owner, the other four belonged to people not mentioned in the listing. I don't know how this works. I did not ask the host at the time of my visit. But this made me curious as to the rules about this in the listing and the possibility that this host should offer a wage for the work. It may be that the host runs a co operative or a non profit. It is not clear in his listing; though as I mentioned before, I understood it was a boarding stable. Please excuse me if I have that wrong. I felt the need to mention this.
The host was rather strict regarding the daily evening meal to which everybody was invited between seven and eight pm. This was the only time I saw the host eat a proper meal and he would not take breakfast or lunch with the volunteers. I however do not usually eat an evening meal and am the opposite, often eating one large meal at breakfast or lunch and skipping others, particularly the evening meal. I did enjoy cooking the meal for them when it was my turn but did not partake every night, as I am often asleep by the time the host eats. This presented a problem for me because I do a lot of hiking and sleep early, and am also up early to work with horses along with the other volunteers; but not with host. This became a bone of contention between me and the host. He sent me a Whats App message asking why I had missed three meals and that nobody, (including other volunteers and horse owners) thought I was contributing culturally as described in my profile. The host missed the evening meal himself when he wanted but took exception to my missing them. I explained that I don't eat late meals especially after English dinner time witch is five thirty but generally skip that as I have described. He did agree that it was Ok but it took him a few days after being angry initially. He said I should have told him before and even apologised for his message before I left. I have now included this info in my profile to save time in future. I did partake in evening dinner for the first three weeks, being enthusiastic for the cultural exchange. I realise now that we would be as likely to have a cultural exchange on the subject of fasting as eating.
Helmut is a nice guy. He is an accomplished runner which was a surprise and was a reason I was glad to be hosted here!

(Very good )

View all 9 feedbacks

Photos

Apple picking: we do very delicious apple juice

Newly refurbished construction trailer

"Ghetto" barrel party

Our Hanoverian horse "Falun" meets Banksy

Workawayer on horseback

Show all photos

Our guesthouse

The farmhouse

Your host

Making hay for the horses

Summerbreak

The farm

Feedback

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

Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)

Cultural exchange:
(4.6)

Communication:
(4.7)

8 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer (Blanche) for host

(Very good )

22 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Pelostravel) for host

(Excellent )

15 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host

(Very good )

3 May 2023

Left by Workawayer (Sandra) for host

Lieber Hellmut, ich hatte das große Glück, gut 2 Wochen auf deinem wundervollen Hof verbringen zu können. Es war mein erster workaway-Einsatz und ich hätte mir keine bessere erste Trainingserfahrung wünschen können. Vom ersten Moment an, als ich auf deinem "alten Bahnhof" ankam, fühlte ich mich sowohl von dir, als auch von allen Tieren willkommen.… read more

(Excellent )

10 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Sushiqueen)

“Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond.” (Roger Waters Pink Floyd). Sweet little Mio, what shall I say? You were the first Japanese volunteer at my farm and it was an amazing time even if you could stay only for a little more than two weeks. You were determined to travel to Iceland (a country which had… read more

(Excellent )

18 Mar 2023

Left by Workawayer (Sushiqueen) for host

Dear Hellmut - Thank you so much for having me and giving me the opportunity to have this beautiful experience with you. My stay in Otersen definitely was a MAGICAL TIME that I will always cherish in life. Thank you so much for your kindness, your caring, cheeky and fun adventurous nature with great positive energy around that I enjoyed very much… read more and made me feel so safe and comfortable while my stay.

Those who are considering about visiting Otersen, I say just do it! You will be surrounded by beautiful good little old German villages, beautiful forests, fields and river, beautiful sunshine and/or comfortable sound of rain drops... Hellmut is someone that you would appreciate getting know of because he is full of adventurous experiences(Aren't we all here because we like it adventurous) and get excited because he is an amazing cook!!! And also happens to be an awesome baker! I really miss his cheesecake and food already...!! You will enjoy his cheeky, fun, very easy-going and caring nature. it was my first experience as a workawayer and I gotta say, I got very lucky I found such a beautiful opportunity at Otersen with Hellmut. My time there was absolutely beautiful. I was always in love with Germany for many reasons but this experience here at Otersen definitely made my time in Germany so magical and much more special.

I must mention the beautiful horses there at home...we all do love the big magnificent Falun who gave me my first horse ride ever on the back...but my love started to grow more as I spent more time with the cheeky curious little Winney and tiny tiny little Raja that's always just minding her own little business...Please go and do find out which ones they are and tell me your favourites too :) I do have my favourites but trust me I love them all!

Working there was always fun with the 2 little fluffy sheep roaming around the site following me around and trying to escape from the gate whenever they get a chance. They're so friendly like they would come to me and ask for a good scratch...or some muesli. They come and say hi from outside the window at home. Well you may not see that happen anymore as Hellmut had bought some fence to keep them in and they arrived on my last days :') If you are a cat-person then here is a good news for you - Hellmut has a beautiful black cat "Paolo"!

I was very lucky to have had this opportunity with my amazing host Hellmut. If you have love for animals, nature and are looking forward to meet beautiful people with beautiful talents themselves, and that you are also capable of having time to yourself and enjoy the magical time that Otersen offerers, then I definitely, 100% recommend taking this amazing opportunity! Take it all in, and give all you can. Otersen and Hellmut will offer you one of the most magical special beautiful experience you will ever have! At least they did for me <3

Thank you for everything and I look forward to visiting you again!:) Keep in touch! Thank you, Arigatou, Danke and Takk Fyrir Hellmut!

(Excellent )

3 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer (Pablo) for host

When I arrived here in Germany Hellmuth was the first German I ever lived with and I must say he is one of the best bosses (and friends) I have ever had. Hellmuth is a kind hearted person who has been through a thousand situations and experiences (in several of them I laughed out loud when he told me about them), he's a person with the patience of… read more

(Excellent )

2 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Pablo)

I had the great honor to host Pablo at my farm. His stay which was originally planned just for a couple of weeks but due to the very positive experience we extended his workaway to a period of more than four months. Whereas I had associated Patagonia (Chile) so far rather as an amazing travel destination, I learned from Pablo that permanent life… read more down there can be harsh and full of deprivation. This is why Pablo eventually decided to leave his home and explore alternative options for a new and better life in Europe. I was glad to assist and give him some guidance at the start of this journey.
In return Pablo over-performed any expectations I could have thought of with regards to the work at the farm. Among the pictures on his workaway profile, you won´t find a guy in front of fancy tourist attractions (such as many volunteers portraying themselves) but literally a Man-AT-Work in his rubber boots surrounded of a group of cattle. This had motivated me to choose Pablo and I was not disappointed. During his stay he managed after some induction quite autonomously the barn with some 10 horses including a comprehensive list of jobs to be carried out throughout the day. He quickly learned to drive the tractor including the handling of heavy weights such as hay-balls and a variety of trailers. He also led and supervised other short-term volunteers how to manage the various tasks which was a great relief for myself. Pablo was also instrumental in preparing the guesthouse for new guests. He learned a huge variety of skills including but not limited to fencing, making firewood, painting or using a multiple set of machines such as circular saws. When I had to leave the farm for a business trip for one full week, Pablo took over responsibility and manged during my absence the entirety of activities with regards to the farm and the guesthouse to my greatest satisfaction.
For the above reasons I am extremely grateful for the time Pablo spent with me and would wholeheartedly recommend other hosts to offer him a position in your project. Pablo also knows that he would be welcome to return to Otersen any time whether for a workaway or just for a visit as a friend.
Espero finalmente que Pablito los haga felices con su famosa tortilla patagónica. Durante su estadía, incluso mejoró sus habilidades culinarias y está en su mejor camino para convertirse en un maestro de cocina de algunos platos alemanes como "Schnitzel".

(Excellent )

30 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host

I had a really amazing month with Hellmut. He was patient when I was learning and made mistakes, which I really appreciated, and was kind and friendly at all times too. When he showed me how to do something, he didn't just do it for me but showed me and then made sure I did it myself, which I really appreciated afterwards as I always felt like I… read more

(Excellent )

16 Sep 2022

Left by Workawayer (Tracy) for host

I was so lucky to be given the opportunity to be a workawayer at the Bahnhof, it truly is a special place and can thoroughly recommend it to other workawayers. I really felt like I’d become part of the family. I loved working in the garden, helping with the horses and other outside tasks (in spite of the hot weather!), and also the fun excursions… read more

(Excellent )

4 Sep 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Tracy)

Tracy stayed for roughly a month at my farm and at the end it was hard for us to let her go. During her stay her main role was to look after the horses, building a new fence at a meadow and to work in the garden. Unfortunately, it was very hot this summer and being exposed to the heat of the sun was not easy. However, Tracy accomplished all tasks… read more

(Excellent )

13 Feb 2021

Left by Workawayer (Rodrigo & Carla) for host

I was in Hellmut´s house last summer with my girlfriend. We both enjoyed the time in Otersen. It´s a very special place in the middle of the wild German forest, inhabited by lovely people. Hellmut was really kind with us and he made our stay very pleasant and confortable. He has a big BEAUTIFUL house and some lovely horses.
He is a hard worker and… read more

(Excellent )

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Enjoy the sound of silence with our lovely horses in the rural life of Otersen, Germany

Profile information

Host rating

Last replied

Reply rate

Feedback

Email verified

Badges (3)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Projects involving children

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

Can host digital nomads

Space for parking camper vans

Can possibly accept pets

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (9)

Photos

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