Volunteer with horses in Portugal

This volunteer project was created to maximise on the bond between humans and horses as a force for good. Based in the hills outside of Porto, the programme is located in a deprived community to help locals to gain more life experiences. To date, it has helped those with emotional and physical wounds, as well as those who have been disadvantaged in life. Its work focuses on providing education and therapy to help people.

The horses are also used to help improve the local environment. Volunteers ride into the forest to help with reforestation work, clearing litter and alien vegetation and monitoring for forest fires. All of these important tasks are made more appealing with your equine companions!

Additional volunteer tasks can include:

• help in the horse therapy and education classes
• muck out the horses and help to groom them
• lead the horses in the lessons
• look after the farm animals on site including goats and pigs
• tend the vegetable garden located on site
• supervise children on their summer camps

Typical day
From Monday - Friday you will spend your mornings volunteering at the horse centre, located approximately 30 minutes from Porto. In the afternoons you will have free time to explore, relax or even take riding lessons.

Free time
You will be able to enjoy afternoons and weekends in the local area. Why not take a wine tour up the famous Douro Valley, taste port in Porto, explore the city or watch the sunset from the enormous bridge overlooking the spires of the old town?

Accommodation and food
You will be based in the centre of historic Porto, with amazing bars, restaurants and cafes on your doorstep. You will receive three meals per day at the accommodation, including a packed lunch to take to the project site with you. Don't worry though, you will have plenty of opportunities to try the local delights!

You will share a dorm room with up to 5 others. Wifi is provided.