Learn about horses and enjoy your freetime between nature and Turin, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hello! My name is Alice. I live in the countryside in Villarbasse, near Turin, in northern Italy, together with my father and my younger sister. We share our home with our horses, which are a big part of our daily life and our greatest passion. Keeping horses is not our job, but rather something we do with love: my father works in the hotel sector, my sister is in her final year of high school, and I study Philosophy at university. I am also responsible for the health and wellbeing of our horses.
  
  We have so many horses because we believe that older horses and those not suitable for riding deserve a good life instead of a difficult one. Many of them would have a hard future if not taken in, so we do our best to give them a safe and caring home.
  
  We follow a philosophy of “naturalised management” for our horses: they always have free access to paddocks so they can move freely, and most of them live in small social groups. We deeply respect our horses and do our best to care for them in a kind and thoughtful way. Both my sister and I ride, but we follow the principles of the École de Légèreté, which is a gentle, non-coercive approach to training and working with horses.
  We currently have around 20 horses and ponies. Most of them are elderly or have been rescued from difficult situations, so they are not suitable for riding, but they live a peaceful and cared-for life with us.
  
  Villarbasse is a quiet village surrounded by greenery, yet it is conveniently located just 10 minutes from Rivoli and about 35 minutes from Turin by car.
  
  We also have two people who help us and take care of feeding the horses and cleaning the paddocks every day. You will have the chance to meet and work alongside them during your stay.
  
  We offer a relaxed and friendly environment, and you will also have plenty of free time to explore the area or enjoy your own activities.
  
  The horse-related activity is not a business, and the person who comes will not be asked to participate in any for-profit activities.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help
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  Interests

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are a sporty, outdoors-oriented family who loves spending time in nature. We enjoy cooking together, sharing good food (we have our own vegetable garden and a small orchard), and we often eat together when our schedules allow. We love mountain biking, hiking in the nearby woods, and taking peaceful walks in nature. You will have plenty of free time to organize as you like — whether you want to join us for an activity, explore the area, or simply relax.
  
  During your stay, you’ll learn practical skills in horse care and management different types of horses. You’ll gain experience with their daily routine and learn how to work confidently around horses.
  
  We’d love to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. We consider ourselves an open, easygoing, and welcoming family, and we’re excited to share our way of life while learning from yours too.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for someone who is careful, attentive, and genuinely loves animals to help us with the daily care of our horses and ponies. We have several older horses and rescued horses so the help is mainly focused on their wellbeing and routine stable care rather than riding. The basic tasks include giving the evening feed, adding hay when needed, cleaning two boxes per day, help with the routine cleaning of the stable where the horses live. grooming some of the horses, and taking them for short walks in hand, and walking the dog that lives at the stable during the week.
  
  The exact tasks may vary depending on your experience and confidence around horses, but riding is not required. At the beginning, you will always be guided by me, my sister, or other staff members. Once you feel comfortable and have learned the routine, you may be able to carry out some of the tasks independently.
  
  We are looking for someone who is independent and enjoys spending some time alone. It would be wonderful if you feel comfortable doing things on your own when needed and are happy to have quiet moments for yourself during the day.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Italian: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  French: Beginner

  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 cozy, independent apartment next to our main house, with a private entrance so you feel at home while still being part of our family environment. The apartment is fully self-contained and includes a kitchen, a bathroom with shower, and a washing machine.
  
  We love to share meals together on weekends when we can all sit down, but during the week our work schedules often make it difficult to match the same timings. For this reason, the apartment is completely autonomous, and we provide a weekly food allowance so you can buy what you need and prepare your meals in a relaxed way.

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  What else ...

  We are located 15 minutes’ walk from the bus stop, and from there you can reach Rivoli in about 15 minutes — a beautiful town near Turin with a lovely castle and a charming atmosphere. With public transport, Turin is about 45 minutes away from Rivoli, where you’ll find many museums, cultural events, sports activities, and great places to eat.
  
  My family and I often go to Turin, so we can give you lifts when possible. If you tell us your interests, we can help you find activities in Turin or in the surrounding area, whether it’s exploring nature, visiting museums, attending concerts, or enjoying good food.
  
  The main rule of the house is that it is not possible to invite strangers into the house. Smoking inside the apartment or near the horses’ hay is also prohibited, for safety reasons.
  
  In terms of our lifestyle, we are all working people, so sometimes we can be a bit busy during the week. However, we try to dedicate weekends as much as possible to staying at home, sharing meals together, and enjoying time in nature. You’ll have plenty of free time to do as you like, and we’re happy to share our way of life with you.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  you will have a wifi connection and a lot of silence to be able to work in peace

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We accept all types of small animals as long as the apartment and garden are kept clean if used (we have a small male dog)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Moonshine

  Jasper

  oliver

  Dutch

  Boris

  Olivia

  Gennaro

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