Support a horse shelter in Crete | Volunteering in Greece 2023 (2023)

About program

The project is a horse riding academy in Crete, near the city of Heraklion. The project is run by a Greek humanitarian organization that lovingly and respectfully cares for the 30 animals that currently live here. The heart of the facility is a riding school, which specializes, among others, in therapeutic riding. The facilities are open to the public as much as possible to allow visitors to interact with the horses and ponies.

The academy offers a great place to visit to learn all about proper horse handling as well as species-appropriate horse breeding, or to pass on your own knowledge. Due to the large number of horses, the organization is happy to have motivated volunteers to help care for the horses, clean them, walk them and spend time with them in general.

The aim of the project is to take care of the animals in the best possible way, and at the same time teach the volunteers how to care for and train horses.

Typical day

At the equestrian academy, everything revolves around the good of the horses. Various tasks await you during the assignment. Your activities include feeding the animals, cleaning the stables, daily training with the horses, and helping out at the riding school.

Depending on your experience and skills with horses, you can also help the team on site with therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy. Therapeutic riding is about using horses in specific ways to improve the mental, physical, emotional and social development of people with special needs. In addition, the use of hippotherapy has a particularly positive effect on people suffering from certain musculoskeletal problems. When working with horses, we always have the welfare of animals in mind.

As a volunteer, you usually work five days a week for six hours a day. After work and on your days off you will have time to explore the area and make excursions.

Leisure activities

Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean. The island paradise tempts with 300 hours of sun a year and invites you to spend a beach holiday. But the numerous cultural sights are also worth putting on your to-do list. Probably the most important is the Palace of Knossos, closely followed by the Arkadi Monastery near Rethymnon and the Archaeological Museum of Iraklio. Here you will learn a lot about Greek history and there are several other sites such as the Samaria Gorge or the coastal city of Chania.

Law

Minimum age: 18 years

You must be 18 years or older on the program start date to participate in the program. There may be exceptions if you can consent from your guardian(s) or if you are accompanied by your parents.

language skills

Knowledge of English required (basic level)

Needed documents

CV, cover letter and visa document

nationality restrictions

Unlimited. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

other skills

No special knowledge is required to work in the horse academy. However, you must love animals very much and have an interest in working with animals, especially horses.

time commitment

Your helping hand is needed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

what is included

Pickup from Heraklion airport

A member of the local team will pick you up from the airport.

Accommodation

During your assignment, you will live in one of the volunteer housing on site. Depending on how many volunteers will take part in the project and how long you stay in the premises, it will decide which apartment you will stay in.

(Video) The brilliant reason he lays ziploc bags of cement in his backyard

The apartments can accommodate up to three volunteers together. All apartments are fully furnished and equipped with WLAN. Towels and sheets are provided but you are responsible for keeping the rooms clean.

The best way to get to work from your accommodation is by bus or car. The tour lasts from 10 to 30 minutes.

There are supermarkets, restaurants, bars and other shops in the area. The beach is also not far away and invites you to swim. The area is generally considered safe, so you can easily stay here alone. From time to time there are organized social events or joint trips that you can participate in.

Food and drinks

Breakfast is already included in the cost of the program. You can tell us about your diet before you go. Vegetarian diet possible.

Internet access

Good access to the investment area.

What is NOT included?

Plane tickets

The nearest airport is Heraklion Airport (HER) in Heraklion. We'll help you find cheap flights to Greece.

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Travel insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it's always better to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - travel insurance in Greece keeps you safe and is an added bonus.

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Vaccinations

If you intend to volunteer in Greece, you should seek medical advice before embarking on your social journey. Check the required vaccinations for Greece.

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get to know your host

From Africa to Asia and Europe to Latin America and Oceania: Through volunteering or internships, our participants gain unique impressions and experiences abroad. Rainbow Garden Village (RGV) offers sustainable projects in more than 30 countries around the world in various fields such as social work, education, animal welfare, environmental protection, medicine, etc.

While our participants are involved in their project, they broaden their horizons and become more open-minded. They strengthen their personal skills, develop through the challenges of volunteering projects, and improve their language skills. Countless new impressions, experiences and special moments complete your stay abroad and lead you back with many exciting stories in your luggage.