Horse Caretakers

This volunteer program offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the well-being of horses and support therapeutic riding services, particularly for children with autism and cerebral palsy, all within a historic equestrian club.

Join the Equestrian Therapy and Cultural Preservation Program in Sinj, Croatia! This program is designed to serve multiple purposes: ensuring the welfare of horses, preserving cultural heritage, and providing therapeutic riding services to children with disabilities. Volunteers will work at a historic equestrian club, where they play a crucial role in maintaining the well-being of the horses and supporting the delivery of therapeutic sessions.

The main objectives of this program include:

  • Animal Welfare: Ensure the health and happiness of the horses through daily care and exercise.
  • Cultural Preservation: Support the preparation and execution of the Sinjska Alka, a significant cultural event, helping to maintain this important tradition.
  • Therapeutic Support: Assist in delivering therapeutic riding sessions, which enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy.
  • Community Engagement: Educate volunteers about local culture, history, and the significance of the club’s activities, fostering a deep connection with the community.

 


 

What to Expect:

  • Stable Maintenance: Clean horse stables, maintain hygiene, and participate in restoration projects.
  • Animal Care: Feed, brush, and care for the horses, ensuring their health and well-being.
  • Exercise and Training: Walk or ride the horses, providing necessary daily exercise and preparing them for riding sessions.
  • Therapeutic Riding Preparation & Support: Prepare horses for therapy sessions, assist with transporting them, and support children during therapeutic riding.

 


 

Daily Tasks:

  • Stable Maintenance: Clean and maintain horse stables and living areas; restore outdoor spaces through painting and simple construction projects like building fences.
  • Animal Care: Feed, brush, and apply treatments to horses as needed.
  • Exercise and Training: Walk or ride the horses daily, and prepare them for therapeutic riding by saddling and equipping them.
  • Therapeutic Riding Support: Prepare horses for therapeutic sessions, assist with transporting them to the river, and support children during their riding sessions by helping them on and off the horse and ensuring correct posture.

 


 

Why Join?

  • Make an Impact: Improve the lives of both horses and children with disabilities while preserving a rich cultural tradition.
  • Gain Experience: Develop skills in animal care, therapeutic support, and cultural preservation.
  • Cultural Immersion: Experience the unique cultural heritage of Sinj, Croatia, while making a meaningful contribution.

 

Ready to Support Equestrian Therapy and Cultural Preservation?

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Included

  • Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
  • Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
  • Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
  • Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
  • Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
  • We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
  • Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
  • Ongoing support throughout your stay
  • 24/7 emergency support, just in case

FAQ

What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18

The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.

Do I have to pay money for volunteering?

You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!

How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?

The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!

What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?

Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.

Can I cook in the accommodation?

Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.

How much money should I bring to my program?

Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!

How many people will be I be volunteering with?

Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!

In case of need, how do I get health care?

All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.

Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?

Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local. 

Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!

Do I need to speak the local language?

No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.

How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?

You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.