Isola dei Cavalli

DESCRIPTION

Isola Dei Cavalli (Horses’ Island) A.S.D is a non-profit association aimed to spread the knowledge of the horses’ nature and the benefits that come from a healthy horse-human relationship.

This natural horse management center is a home for horses that often lived their entire life in stalls and are not familiar with the habits and the ways of communicating within a herd. These horses are stressed and obliged to a life centered on sports and imprisonments that cultivate fear, distrust and behavioral problems. However, they can here find the opportunity to live barefoot with their herd; they have the chance to experience freedom, movement, socialization, and game.

VOLUNTEERING AT ISOLA DEI CAVALLI

LOCATION AND DURATION

Isola Dei Cavalli is a natural horse management centre located in Manziana, a small town in the province of Rome, just one hour away from the capital. It is a five minutes walk away from the “Macchia Grande” wood and surrounded by attractions such as Bracciano’s Lake and Castle and Santa Severa’s beach.

The program is available from May to October, volunteers have to stay for a minimum of one week, and we can greet a maximum of 8 volunteers per week.

ARRIVAL

The arrival day and the day of return will be on Mondays.

Once arrived at the Fiumicino’s Airport volunteers will be greeted by a member of the local team who will accompany them to the accommodation (a 45 minutes drive). If travelling in Italy prior to the volunteer program a pick up point can be arranged.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

The program consists of 5 hours work per day, which include activities with horses, to be carried out during the mornings from 8.00AM to 1.00PM

The first day (Monday) once arrived at the accommodation, volunteers will be shown the location and introduced to the coordinators who will guide them throughout the experience. To every volunteer will then be assigned a horse to take care of during the week, in order to create a strong empathy with these great and majestic animals, through confidence, nurturing and learning their way of expressing and communicating with each other and with people. One of the aims of this project is in fact to give the participants the possibility to get to know how a horse fits into a group, how we can behave as a “herd leader" without being bossy yet authoritative and protective towards the weakest, or even to learn more about hooves and how beneficial a barefoot lifestyle can be.

On weekdays volunteers will gather at the dining area for breakfast at 7.30AM. Morning tasks begin at 8.00AM, these initially include different everyday chores such as feeding, cleaning and checking up on the horses. We will then move to activities focused on the assigned horses, such as nurturing and hand-guided conduction here at the center or outside our premises (according to the different situations). There will also be mornings centered on learning more about their life in a herd and their barefoot lifestyle. The last hours of work will be dedicated to little maintenance jobs like cleaning paddocks, distributing hay, collecting manure, painting fences, watering, checking up on the vegetable garden and taking care of chicken and goats. Morning activities end at 1.00 PM and include a short break around 10.30 AM. Afternoons will be free from work, depending on the days volunteers will either be accompanied to visit some of our surroundings’ most famous attractions like Bracciano’s Lake and Castle, Santa Severa’s beach and the ancient Canale Monterano, followed by a little bit of free time in order to buy some souvenirs; or they will instead be occupied with other nature related activities such as excursions through wild horses and cows that live in the nearby woods.

The last day (Monday) volunteers will get ready in order to leave, they will be escorted to the airport by one of our team members.

ACCOMODATION

The horse management centre offers a bedroom, a bathroom, a fridge and a washing machine. If possible volunteers will be divided by gender.

Furthermore a common dining area is included, which is equipped with free Wi-Fi.

MEALS

Breakfast is served at the dining room, it will offer bread, jam, cheese, ham, milk, coffee, tea, cereal, eggs, Italian cappuccino and croissants.

Lunch and dinner will be served by the local team every day, there will be a prefixed menu which will contain products coming directly from our horse centre, such as eggs and vegetables, and local Italian recipes. There is the possibility to ask for different meals according to food allergies or

vegetarian diets. Activities may include helping out in the kitchen and setting up the tables in order to create a sense of collectivity and cooperation, and to learn more about Italian cooking.

Snacks will be provided by us during brakes.

Water will be provided by us, remember to bring your own reusable water bottle.

PROGRAM FEES

Cost of the program: €500

-It includes accommodation, food and water, car ride from and to the airport and Horse Activities Insurance.

-It does not include the flight, eventual souvenirs or extra snacks and drinks.

WHAT TO BRING IN THE SUITCASE

-Repellents

-Long and short trousers

-Long and short sleeves

-Swimming costume

-Sunscreen

-Sheets (one pair of sheets will be provided by us)

-Towels

-Soap and shampoo

-Medicines for allergies

-Reusable water bottle

-Hat

-Working shoes

-Raincoat

RULES

-Do not smoke in enclosed spaces

-Do not feed the horses out of scheduled time

-Do not get into the horses’ area out of scheduled time

REQUIREMENTS

If you want to volunteer with Isola dei Cavalli you need to be at least 18 years old and to be passionate about horses in order to commit to everyday activities. You should also be available for different types of jobs, participative, respectful and openminded.