Jobs with Horses Abroad

Do you have a passion for horses? Do you want to take an equestrian gap year or find a paid job with horses and enjoy the adventure of your life? There are lots of horse riding programs and careers available all around the world, including paid working holidays, summer jobs, volunteer programs and also adventure tours.

Featured Opportunities

Best Destinations

Some of the most popular places for horse riding adventures and working holidays include the UK, USA, South Africa, Italy, Botswana, France, Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Australia.

Activities

• Horseback riding
• Equine husbandry
• Farm maintenance
• Saddle and bridle lessons
• Community forestry

Highlights

• Experience life on an authentic horse ranch
• Learn in-depth knowledge about equine husbandry
• Admire the breath-taking scenery of the countryside
• Help children and adults improve their riding skills
• Make new life-long friends and return with brilliant memories
• Lead educational tours in spectacular destinations

Equestrian Gap Year Opportunities

There are so many ways to work with horses, from short term gap year jobs to volunteering abroad.

For a temporary position to boost your skills, knowledge and experience and the chance to get paid you could apply to work at a summer camp in the USA. This is a great way to experience living and working in the United States and helping children improve their riding skills. Salaries are not the highest, but the experience is unmatched and food and accommodation are included.

Some ranches and travel companies hire horse riding instructors to lead tours in places like South Africa. You will need experience and also be able to dedicate a minimum duration. This could be the start of a new career abroad and a great way to change your life.

If you have any experience e.g. a veterinarian you can find professional paid jobs with horses and other animals around the globe. Or to help out lots of wildlife sanctuaries hire volunteers to help horses and other animals all year round.

Staff are also required to work on farms and at stables in countries all around the world.

What Will I Be Doing?

From the get-go you will be involved in a wide range of activities in and around the stables such as the care and feeding of the horses and maintenance of the paddock, arena and field shelter as well as looking after the saddlery and equipment.

You will also have the opportunity to ride the horses in stunning locations, usually rural with hectares of forestry and grassland. The breed type depends on the destination but predominantly Boerperd with herds ranging in size from bachelor herds of around 3 to larger more structured herds of up to 20 horses.

If taking part on a volunteer project you might also be given the opportunity to contribute towards ongoing research into these wild horses.

Responsibilities may include:

• Counting and documenting different herds
• Maintenance of water and drinking points of the horses
• Helping to rear abandoned foals (when applicable)
• Eradication of old barb wire along the roads that injure horses
• Impact studies on the nature, bio carrying capacity of the ranch habitat

In addition you may find yourself involved in other sustainable farming activities & local forestry community involvement. There may even be time for archery lessons in your free time in the evenings and at weekends! These activities are a must for the adventurous horse lover and will surely guarantee you an unforgettable experience!

Your working day will be from 7am – 4pm Monday to Friday, whilst weekends can be spent at one’s own leisure. A town trip to the nearby provincial capital is scheduled once a week so you’ll have the chance to get into town to do some local shopping.

Note that the itinerary is subject to change depending on climatic conditions and seasonal variability and those inexperienced riders who have never worked in this field will require training by our qualified ranch staff.

FAQ

Requirements
Usually volunteers and staff must be 18 years old and riders must weigh less than 90kg.