Help us with looking after horses and with riding tours in the Andes, Ecuador

Details

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  Description

  A riding business based in the Andes which has been established since 1996, riding tours in Ecuador, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina. This work opportunity based in ECUADOR.
  Our clients come predominantly from the UK and USA, although a number also come from mainland Europe.
  Helping ride and care for our team of horses.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet

  House sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Our farm is located close to a small village (Pesillo), and we have local workers at the farm, this offers a real organic experience with the people from rural Ecuador. They are friendly and often love to chat with you and exchange language, stories and experiences.

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  Help

  A fantastic opportunity to live and work for an established horse riding company in Ecuador. Our farm is located about 30 minutes NE of the city of Cayambe and has a breathtaking view. We currently have 15 horses (unstabled) and 2 dogs. For 15 years we have run thanks to the help of amazing volunteers. You will stay on the farm in an idyllic location, helping us to care for our animals and property in exchange for room and board, with the potential to earn a salary for those who stay longer and/or have the right skills sets!
  
  We currently have 2 “types” of volunteers that we are searching for: 1. A riding volunteer 2. A house/dog sitting/eco-project volunteer. Please read ALL the information below and contact us if you have any questions or if you’d like to apply!
  
  
  Riding Volunteer:
  The help consists of a lot of riding, often riding and leading 1 or 2 horses when exercising (training given) in-between tours. You can spend a full day riding so best if you are riding fit. All of the horses have individual characters and are in different stages of training, and so some schooling may be required – depending on applicants skills. Other tasks include grooming, taking care of the tack, field management, feeding and basic veterinary care if required. You will also oversee/work alongside the local workers (eg. make sure the worker(s) arrive on time, the horses given water, get treated for injuries etc.). The help is varied and days can be long; only people with a “can-do” attitude, flexibility and willingness to get stuck in to any task need apply!
  
  In addition to farm responsibilities, volunteers may be able to come along on the riding tours as a second guide.
  
  The role is adaptable, depending on the skills and interests of the successful applicant.
  
  Requirements
  • Minimum age of 25 years (this is negotiable depending on applicants riding skills, Spanish skills and travel experience)
  • Fluent English; conversational Spanish - able to give and receive directions etc. (no non-speakers please) -> There are good and cheap Spanish schools in Quito so you could do an intensive refresher upon arrival
  • Can stay 1 month or longer, preference given to those who can stay 3 months (90 day visa on arrival, easy to extend a further 90 days)
  • Maximum weight 75kg (due to the size of the horses, terrain and altitude)
  • Competent riding ability
  
  Required Key Skills
  • Riding (English and/or ‘western’)
  • Horsemanship (not just riding)
  • Spanish (basics & willingness to learn)
  
  • Tourism (any previous experience in customer service/tourism industry would be a bonus but not essential)
  
  Also a bonus, not essential:
  • Schooling
  • Lunging
  • Exercising
  
  Required Expertise (to access salaried position):
  
  • Trekking/guiding
  • Stable/horse management
  • Flatwork
  
  Benefits
  • Opportunity to live and ride horses in a beautiful part of the world
  • Spend days off exploring Ecuador (Amazon, Cloud Forest, Galapagos Islands – We will help seeking discounts for you). You get one and half days off per week which you can accumulate and have a longer break
  • Come along on client tours and experience the Ecuadorian Andes with them, while gaining invaluable guiding experience
  • A percentage of tips from rides will be given to volunteers, as they are involved in a lot of the prep work before rides!
  • A wage may be negotiated for a successful applicant who commits to a longer term stay
  
  “House-sitter” volunteer:
  
  We are searching for a “house-sitter” volunteer, who would help care for the house, dogs, garden, and potentially work with projects to help the farm be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. No horse knowledge is necessary, but you will be asked to learn a few basic things, such as how to tell if a horse is sick or how to fill the water troughs.
  
  Your role would be to look after the dogs, the house, and do a bit of work such as watering plants, maintenance, painting, and some gardening and more.
  
  We would love to have someone with the passion and ideas to help us make the farm as eco/sustainable as possible. For example, we are hoping to set up a medicinal/native plant garden, organic fruit and vegetable greenhouse, rain collecting system, compost etc. The sky's the limit! The idea is to start these projects here on the farm, and later to roll them out into the community as well!
  
  For those who commit to a longer stay, there will also be opportunities to be involved with some of the administrative work or charity projects, and the potential to earn some extra money. In terms of charities, we are currently setting up/formalizing an animal charity that focuses on education and improving the lives of animals (mainly horses and dogs) through things such as care, living conditions and sterilization. Additionally, we are building up projects to help with welfare and safety for locals/children. We are focused on working around our area, as well as giving work to local people to make the things we need for our charities. Depending on your level of Spanish you can work directly with the locals to help us grow our current projects.
  
  Requirements
  
  • Minimum age of 25 years (this is negotiable depending on applicants Spanish skills, travel experience, and potential to help us advance in our projects)
  • Fluent English; conversational Spanish - able to give and receive directions etc. (no non-speakers please)
  • Experience caring for animals - particularly dogs
  • Stay for a few weeks is possible but preference is given to those who commit to a 2 month stay (those who stay longer may have the opportunity to become involved in the charity projects and to earn a salary) (90 day visa on arrival, easy to extend a further 90 days)
  
  Benefits
  • Opportunity to live and help on a farm with an unbeatable view, on a beautiful part of the world
  • Spend days off exploring Ecuador (Amazon, Cloud Forest, Galapagos Islands – We will help seeking discounts for you). You get one and half days off per week which you can accumulate and have a longer break
  • Potential to be involved in a variety of different charity projects that are underway

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are happy to help with your Spanish skills.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation
  Accommodation is provided at our farm along with money for food/supplies. The farm is in quite a remote location, the nearest village for amenities is a short drive - or 30 minute walk. You will be expected to buy and cook your own food with the money provided.
  
  Though remote, communications are good at the farm: we have a steady 3G connection that is easily used for international video calls, booking and paying for tours, to do research etc. There is also a phone that stays in the house for emergency calls and to be used as a hotspot for computers.

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  What else ...

  You are given 2 days off a week but normally volunteers like to lump thee days together in order to go on a longer trip somewhere. Ecuador is rich with amazing adventures, and we can even help you a bit with a trip, as we have lots of knowledge and many great connections.

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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

  There is a good internet connection at the farm.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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