Equine Volunteering Riding Gap Year

Mkulu Kei horse trails & Riding Holidays in the Eastern Cape South Africa offers you an volunteer adventure placement. Learn our holistic approach to horses, work and ride at a busy riding stable and horse stud farm that specializes in out rides, hacking out for a few hours on the beach at Morgan Bay to the public on holiday. 2-12 day over night riding holidays on the coastline of the Wild Coast Transkei. Riding at a private reserve with the game and helping with the equine assisted therapy working with at risk kids and kids in trouble with the law at Cher-a-Don Teambuilding Adventure Centre formerly Lalapanzi Adventure Centre which gives you the opportunity to learn to abseil too.

An equestrian volunteer opportunity working with horses and riding on the beach, learning our "join up" holistic approach to horses in a family environment at a busy stable yard. A great destination for a gap year African adventure holiday with lots of riding and help us with the equine assisted therapy working with at risk kids and kids in trouble with the law.
• Equine Assisted Therapy/Learning

If you are mad about horses and looking at travelling and to gain work experience abroad - Read on.

If you are a non riding volunteer we can accommodate you at Cher-a-Don Teambuilding Adventure Centre working with underprivileged youth in trouble with the law.
• Cher-a-Don (Lalapanzi) Adventure Centre
• Participants Comments

Are you studying for a job in tourism or horses? Looking for an affordable work and riding destination as a riding volunteer?

We are a busy horse stud farm and riding stable, offering horse riding multi day holidays on the unpopulated beaches of the South African Wild Coast, and shorter beach out rides at Morgan Bay for families on holiday for their school break. This is an opportunity to gain a bit of experience and insight in a running horse trail-riding establishment and our holistic approach to training equines. During your ride and working holiday use your knowledge and gain medical experience with sick or injured horses, work with abused and rescued equines. Your first choice in a gap year or exchange riding holiday working with the horses and riding clients at the trail riding stable and horse farm. For the best beach riding on quality horses and to gain work experience for those interested in equine or tourism related industries.

The best in a horseback riding working gap volunteering travel holiday destination. Hours of horse riding and no time cleaning tack and mucking out stables; just get to the fun part of riding on the beaches. Students, on your working riding holiday adventure or gap year pass on your equine knowledge by guiding, helping teach our clients on the day out rides and an opportunity to transfer your skills to underprivileged local black children in our development community project.
• Development Program

This is the saddle riding holiday for you on your gap year.

Be part of our day-to-day care of the horses, working riding and having fun.

• Working Holiday Options
• Working Holiday Photo Gallery
• Our Horses
• Pony Camp
• Short Day Rides
• Overnight Trails
• Day Rides Photo Gallery
• Our Geldings and Stallions
• Our Mares
• Our Foals and Homestead
• Humorous Photos
• Cher-a-Don (Lalapanzi) Adventure Centre
• Equine Assisted Therapy/Learning
• Activity Photos

Volunteer Testimonials and Comments

What previous volunteers and equine students had to say

Hi Cheryl!

So sorry my reply has taken so long. I have had a madly busy 3 weeks as I was moving house and leaving the UK (I'm spending the summer in France with my family). Please see below for my report on my stay with you - I hope it's not too late:

My stay with Cheryl and her family was incredible, from start to finish. I arrived in South Africa from the UK as a novice and not very confident rider, but hoping to learn. My hopes of learning more about riding were surpassed from my very first week – I quickly discovered I wasn’t just learning about riding, I was discovering more about horses and myself than I’d ever realised I didn’t know! A large part of this was thanks to helping on the Giachetti’s adventure camps.

I didn’t know these activities were going to form part of my stay, which is perhaps a good thing as I don’t know if I’d have had the confidence to sign up for them. But Cheryl and Don’s encouragement was brilliant and helped me to have the most amazing time, helping young criminals as they developed themselves through the camps’ activities. The equine therapy was a particular highlight – seeing Cheryl find out the youths’ problems simply from the reactions of her mares as they rode them was astounding. I was a bit unnerved to realise that this meant she also knew lots more about me than I thought I’d let on!However, the kindness and dedication to their work with the kids shown by Don and Cheryl showed me even more what good people these were and I quickly relaxed and found myself really enjoying working with the young people – though I think I learnt more from them than they did from me!

I was so sad to leave after my five week stay – I hope I’ll be able to go back one day, as South Africa and its wonderful people have truly made a fantastic impression on me through my time at Mkulu Kei.

Jenni Gill

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Wow! What an awesome experience I had at Mkulu Kei Horse Trials.

Three years ago I decided that riding a horse on the beach must be pretty cool and exhilarating. At the tender age of 51 I took some riding lessons and then surfed the internet to find a place where I could realize my dream. Mkulu Kei Horse Trials drew my attention, kept my attention and ultimately accommodated me for a 14 day horsy break away.

I didn’t quite know what to expect other than lots of horse riding and working with horses. I got both in abundance. But maybe I should start with Cheryl, Don and Luisa, The three of them made my holiday an experience that I will never forget and something that I will return to as often as possible. Cheryl and Don run the business in partnership and Luisa is still busy accommodating the nuisance of schoolwork in between her outdoor activities.

When I browsed their website I saw that riders were riding horses facing the wrong direction and even blindfolded. I never thought that I would ever be able to do it. What fun! Riding blindfolded, gives horse riding a dimension which words will never do justice. You will only know what it feels like, once you have experienced it yourself. Just imagine cantering along the beach, you are blindfolded and your other senses are working overtime; you feel the motion of the horse beneath you, you hear the hooves in the water and you feel the wind on your face, but you have to rely completely on your horse to take you in safety and to stop when it is needed.

But don’t get me wrong. Every time I got onto the back of one of their many beautiful horses, it was just as exciting and enjoyable. I stood in utter amazement to see how Cheryl took riders without any riding experience from trying to stay on top to riders who accomplished the trod and even put in a canter on the beach within one outing. You don’t have to be an experienced rider to enjoy the marvels of horse riding in the meadows and on the beach – at least not if you decide to come and do it at Mkulu Kei Horse Trials.

They are truly a happy bunch of people with an even happier bunch of horses at Mkulu Kei Horse Trials. And me, I am happy that I stopped at Mkulu Kei Horse Trials when I started surfing the internet for a place to make my dream holiday come true.

You must have a wonderful day and do take care. Love to all. Annamart Alberts.

----------------------------------- What can you do when your heart is broken, your trust is gone and you’re holding an already paid for ticket to South Africa in your hands? For a while I was desperate for someone to tell me, because I had no idea what so ever. But then I decided to visit the internet and I found your website, offering trails, day rides, but even volunteer-work at a development programme with local boys, that would be perfectly in line with my internship. Could this be just a rare case of coincidence? I remember myself thinking that could be possible, but I put it to the ‘test’. I send you an email, explaining my situation, the amount of money I had left and I asked you if it was possible to come for a trail and help out with everything you do. I had no expectations at all because it was all short-term, but I did have some hope which you answered to. I couldn’t believe it when I got your first email saying “We would like to offer you our South African hospitality and will organise you a super holiday. By the time you have left us the ex will no longer be on your mind.” Before I got your email, I had not told anyone about you, but after that I went straight to my mother showing her the website and your response. She was so happy for me and said to me: “Go there, this feels right.” It felt right for me as well so I just decided to go and do it! We emailed back and forth about changing my flight and you were already so helpful during the process! Even when it seemed like it wasn’t possible to change my flight, you pushed through with the airline-companies and made it happen for me. And once again I couldn’t believe it.. In these days there aren’t that much people left who take the time to really help others where ever they can, but I was lucky enough to meet one of them, named Cheryl Giachetti. So what can you do when you meet one of those people that helps you out in many ways? You give something back. Even though it was all short term and a lot of work, I put up this sponsorship to collect bottles and donations for the development project. Again with no expectations at all, just hoping it would turn out great for you and the boys. In the evening-hours I would find myself setting up a sponsor-letter, putting them into mailboxes in my neighbourhood and sending it to almost everyone I’ve ever known in my life. About one week later, me and my mother went for ‘a walk’ through the neighbourhood, armed with flashlights, big shopping bags and a mobile phone to call my father in case we needed a car to transport all the bottles and beer-cases we never thought we would collect. But we did, and it turned out even better than I could have ever hoped for. The pictures prove it: All those bottles aren’t that pretty when they are ‘just bottles’, but the fact that they were given by people who wanted to contribute makes it a beautiful sight.

From the moment I started sending the sponsor letters everywhere, people also started to donate money to my bank account or in my mailbox. Not only family and friends, but also people I had never heard of before, long lost contacts and anonymous ones! I could look into my account every single day and the amount would be up again, just like my feeling of disbelief/astonishment about the kindness of people. That last part even got to the point of being truly amazed, when that friend of mine (Frenck Lutke) said he wanted to donate a huge amount of money and t-shirts as well. That was about one week before I was going to travel, so short-term again but we made it happen! And then I left The Netherlands and flew to South Africa. You invited me into your house, showed me how to make you some coffee and the day after that you introduced the horses to me (and the other way around).

I can still hear you say the words: ‘He’s absolutely going beautifully’ and I was really amazed to see how involved and devoted you are when it comes to animals and humans. You make sure everyone is at ease and will experience an amazing ride, which starts with all your exceptionally well-trained horses. And although the landscape and the beaches are great: you make it even better by making sure everyone will do stuff they’ve never done before like riding backwards, riding without stirrups and in my case: even riding blindfolded on 4 year old (lovely) Hermes!!! I didn’t get to experience a close encounter with an elephant while I was there, but I will never forget the close encounter with that tree! That last one was probably even better for me personally, because I didn’t take the blindfold off and I think that really had a positive effect on my trust-issues. I don’t know what amazed me more; the fact that I didn’t take the blindfold off or the fact that Hermes didn’t take off with me while I was fighting to get through the tree! Big applause for training your horses so well.

And the 4-day trail I did with Don… I can’t even find the words to describe that experience in Dutch, let alone in English! All those beautiful hills, gorgeous beaches, really an ‘alone in the world-feeling’. Seen as I can’t find the words… I’m just going to say: Thank you Don for letting me ride your ‘baby’ Solo, thank you for taking ‘just’ me on trail, thank you for showing me all those wonderful places and thank you for taking me to the Xhosa B&B! If I were to write every single moment I enjoyed on the trail, I would be writing forever.

Another thing I’m very grateful for, is meeting so many special people. Even though I was a stranger, you and your whole family accepted me and everyone was so nice to me. But also the (other) tourists were kind and I loved taking that boy Grant for a ride in particular. He was having so much fun, copying me in everything I said or did and at one point he was greeting everyone we passed.

And then of course.. ‘your’ boys! September, Alex, October, Banana’s, Musa. and the other one (don’t know his name). Although I didn’t get to talk to them that much, I think they are very special and I hope they will be able to achieve amazing things in life. I think your Development Programme is pushing them in the right direction and I can’t express how much I respect you for setting it up for them. I feel happy because I was able to contribute by setting up the sponsorship and I hope they will enjoy their new riding stuff, the upcoming trail and eventually maybe a nice job around horses. I will never forget September’s face/expression when he opened the box… That was really touching. It’s amazing when people get inspired by one another, so I hope everyone who will experience the same, will act on it.

Well.. I’m going to finish up… I could write on for I don’t know how long, because every little experience you guys gave me made a difference for me personally, but I know you’re a busy woman so I’ll just leave it with this! Feel free to use my email address and anything or everything I wrote for your website or future riders/volunteers! And I have one last thing to say to them:

It won’t be what you expect. It will be better!

Cheryl, Don, Luisa, Daniela, Jack, Boyke, the cat who gave me a little snake for my birthday, the rest of your family, September, October, Alex, Banana’s, Musa, all the horses (especially Hermes, Solo, Chester, Midnight, Romeo and Apollo), Grant, all the other tourists I got to meet, and of course everyone who contributed to the sponsorship and might be reading this… You all have a special place in my heart!! Love, Jessie Hoogveld. jhoogveld@live.nl

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Janine on Mkulu Kei horse trail group on face book asks.

Dear Cheryl, Don and Lou. Well what can I say apart from a huge thank you? :) In the 48 hours I have been home I think I have told everyone about riding backwards, riding blindfolded, swimming in the lagoon, loosing my voice shouting to Excalibur and Blase, the Midnite Macarana and sleeping in a field with a stallion. The 10 days I was with you guys was simply one of the best times of my life. The horses were incredible and I learnt SO much but I don't think it would have been as good if it hadn't been for you guys. After destroying the contents of your fridge upon arrival I relaxed completely and I think you saw me being as mad as I am at home normally. It's also safe to say that every muscle in my body aches but I have never felt better. I even stopped biting my nails and all the other nervous ticks I usually have. How on earth I will go back to living and working in London I don't know. Nevermind, will cross that bridge when I come to it :)

I have always loved horses and longed to understand them better. Now I realise how much more there is to learn and how badly I want to learn it. I wish I could imbibe all the knowledge and experience the 3 of you have by osmosis or something. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed just being able to sit and talk about horses in the evening - even better than eating Caramel I think!! I have resolved to find a way to make horses a permanent feature in my life. I am no longer content with riding once a week in a stable. As I said to Don at the airport - I think I enjoy working with horses on the ground more than actually riding (perhaps because I know I will never be a brilliant rider, but I might learn to be a better communicator with horses). At the end of the day though, the more you understand about horses the better you should be able to ride.

I can't wait to get back and hack out with my new improved leg position and low, still hands. Woe betide me if I come back to you with more bad habits though! I think I will have to come and ride with you at least once a year so you can check I'm still on track. Then we can get my husband riding..... :)

Cheryl - big hugs. You have a reputation for "fixing" horses and people. I don't think I was broken, just needed a bit of fine tuning and you certainly did that. You pushed me to do things I would never have believed I would do. Thank you for believing I could. I cried all the way home on that plane. You guys must be something special. Tons of love to you and the herd (and the dogs and cats). Hope to see you in saddle again soon! Lots of love debs  ( doodle3008@googlemail.com )

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Without Cheryl and family, i would have been stuck in a rut perminantly.Cheryl opened my eyes and made me truly appriciate things in life and not just sit back and let things come. She also showed me that coffee is fantastic ( 5 spoons and im catching up to cheryls 6 !!!!) being a Working student not only improved my riding but also was a huge emotional step for me , I have alot to thank cheryl, don and the girls for. Any one reading this knows how fantastic they all are. So as an update cheryl i now am loaning a horse ( pictured dylan on my profile) and working towards entering some dressage competitions, something id never thought i would do. I am on my last year of my equine science degree and then continuing on to getting my AI and doing a MSc.

My advice if you havent gone to MKulu kei, GO Rachel Potter wildkitten14@hotmail.com

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(Our white wolf Abbie is never clean after swimming in the dams, she is two toned. We call her Top deck.)

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Tell Daniella if she get's a Rotary exchange to Europe I'll send her a ticket or come and collect her if she wants to stay with me for a while.

As for you my friend and mentor I thank you deeply from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me I am a better person for having known you guy's. Speak to you soon Kelly (A.K.A - I need to jab or inject something) piper.mare@googlemail.com To explain: Kelly had a phobia of needles and injections she could not look at a needle without panicking; by the time she left Kelly was competent in injecting any horse by her self. A huge growing experience that has had a positive impact in other areas in her life.

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This Young Lady Was Our First Volunteer

She was in a very bad way when she came to us. She was a drug addict (heavy stuff), and she cut herself. She was not the easiest to help and eventually we could not take responsibility for her and sent her home.

Only years later I found out we had make a difference to her life.

I cried when I received her e-mail.

We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged are so proud of who she has become. Keep going and know our door is always open.

Extract from an Email Received

Hey Stranger,

For some unknown reason i stumbled upon your site today, My chest closed and my eyes watered as I remember a time that seemed so long ago and a time that was one of the most amazing in my life and also linked with much pain.

I'm doing well now, I have a little boy, (name supplied), he'll be two in Jan, the light of my life and love of all my heart:

Working and trying to maintain a 'white picket fence' life. I have 4 dogs, my other babies:

Cheryl, you and your family will always be in my heart and you and your horses touched my life more than you will ever know! I'm sorry for any difficulty I caused you!!

I miss riding, it's like a physical pain I carry, one day I'll get back into it I hope!

All my Love and more than you'll ever know!

Extract from Second Email

I'm so happy to hear everything is well, So amazing to make contact again:

My life is going great and despite the inevitable ups and downs I am happy and sometimes look back and shake my head in disbelief at how far I have come, my past seems like a lifetime ago!!

Love to all, next time you fly along the beach, waves lapping at your horses hooves, think of me and know you are in my heart! SHE IS FOREVER, Cheryl

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A working horse safari vacation with Mkulu Kei horse trails that suits your available time, riding level and budget. On your horse-riding holiday see nature at its best from the back of a horse suitable for your riding ability. The South African Wild Coast on an equestrian trail is awesome horse riding country; see stunning views, pristine coastline, rural village, nature, birds, game, dolphins and whales. And now ride with wild life on safari.

This unique safari horse trail in South Africa offers a total riding holiday experience. A memorable horseback eco-adventure along the, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast, South Africa. For your African horse trekking eco adventure, equestrian working exchange volunteer gap vacation destination or children's pony camps and adventure centre.

Depending on your experience with horses tasks will be allocated to you either on your own or with the other students. Riding and working with going horses in the saddle, and with the younger equines, helping us back them and get them going under saddle and working with foals on the ground. Work abroad in South Africa on an in the saddle horse riding gap volunteer vacation. Volunteers on their working riding travel overseas experience will get the chance to work with horses of all ages, ride, learn our horse training methods, holistic approach and could witness a foal being born. Come Ride with Us ...

...and you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and thick-forested valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to rivers that eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic high rise cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make the Wild Coast in South Africa one of the most beautiful places in the world. An incredible combination of cross-country horse riding and the exploration of our beautiful coastline.

At Mkulu Kei a combination of equine work and riding in a family environment, relaxed accommodation in our home, tranquil farm life, wilderness, unspoiled pristine coastline, history, rural life, bird life, game, rolling hills, jagged cliffs, culture and heritage. A diversity of experiences, equestrian, scenery and terrain on each day. Get on the job experience working overseas at a busy riding stable; the best way to work and travel on your working holiday and have fun. Join us on your year out of school or for a break from the office. A perfect volunteer placement for the horse lover looking for a gap year or break from the classroom or office for a few weeks. There are so many horse riding working holidays and gap year vacations, why choose us? Read on and find out.

Mkulu Kei horse trails offering you a riding working holiday opportunity on the Wild Coast in South Africa. Volunteer with us and you become one of our family. We only invite 1 to 6 volunteers at a time, to experience an equestrian vacation, a horse-riding working holiday of a lifetime. By only accepting a small group of students to our riding stable at a time you will gain as much as you give and form relationships with the other equestrian students and horses. This is your horseback riding volunteer vacation, we want you to have fun, learn, gain working experience and pass on your equitation skills. By volunteering in our government school holidays you will get hours of beach rides, where as if you book out of the school holidays you will spend more time with arena work and working with horses on the ground. Either way you will get to ride an assortment of trail horses.

And what better to experience South Africa's hospitality and beautiful coastline than on the back of a horse...

We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged would like to say a big Thank you to all our guests for sending us their horse trekking photos, these are your working holiday memories. Thank You. Cheryl