Therapy in Motion with Horses
Overview
Help disabled children feel the joy and freedom of movement and experience the incredible social, mental and physical benefits of horseriding. This Therapy in Motion Centre is a voluntary, non-profit organisation which provides disabled children with these special experiences and has achieved amazing results using horses as therapy. If you have a love for horses and a passion for working with children with disabilities, this programme is perfect for you.
Trip highlights
- Adding immense value to the lives of disabled children
- Spending time with the most beautiful, kind and patient of horses as they work their magic
- Experiencing Cape Town and all the amazing experiences it has to offer
At a Glance
Project duration: Minimum 4 weeks, maximum 12
Location of project: Constantia Valley, around 30 minutes from central Cape Town
Arrival airport: Cape Town (airport code CPT)
Activities: General care and assistance in looking after the children during equine therapy, taking them out on rides, caring for and grooming horses, keeping stables and surrounding areas clean.
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 12h30 and 14h00 to 18h00
Requirements: Minimum age 18. Police check necessary.
Accommodation: Cabin with another same sex volunteer on the project`s premises or placement with a host family.
Food: Food is not included. You will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week)
Airport pickup: Included on arrival date - ask us for details if you're arriving early
You need to organise: Flights, insurance, visas, return Airport transfer (in country)
Your Role
These special horse-riding classes are only possible with the help of dedicated and respectful volunteers who can physically support the children, many of whom require two adults to keep them on the horse. You’ll be helping to give these kids the opportunity to experience the special bond of horse and rider, grow their confidence and enjoy the outdoors. The Therapy in Motion horses are much-loved and integral to the programme, and your care and grooming will help keep them in tip-top shape. Please note that caring for horses is physical work so be prepared for a hard-working but very rewarding day. Also note, working with horses can be dangerous, although they are extremely well-trained. You will also be expected to lift children so those with back problems may find this difficult.
This is a specialised project which is highly sought after with limited spaces, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Monday) – hello and welcome!
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (airport code CPT) before 4.15pm to be in time for orientation at 5pm. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to our volunteer house in Fish Hoek where you’ll spend the night. The journey takes about 45 minutes and you’ll see the magnificent Table Mountain on the way! Orientation will take you through what you can expect from your project, dos and don’ts and how to stay safe. It’s also a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you’ve got. After orientation you’ll have dinner and some time to relax and prepare for the exciting day tomorrow.
Note: If you aren’t able to arrange a flight to get you into Cape Town before 4.15pm then we recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pickup for you including one night’s accommodation. Please give us a call for more information.
Day 2 (Tuesday) – off to The Therapy in Motion project!
A scenic 30 minute shuttle to Constantia Valley from the volunteer house to your new base.
On arrival you’ll meet the staff that you’ll be working with and settle into your accommodation. You will be taken you grocery shopping and then it’s time to settle in and relax. The team will let you know what’s happening the next day and you can ask any questions.
Day 3 (Tuesday) – let’s get started!
The morning will start with you assisting the team with cleaning the stables. Then it’s time to groom and tack horses an hour before the first lesson starts. The feed bins need to be removed when the horses have finished eating, but leave the water buckets in until the horses have gone out. The first lesson with the disabled children starts at 09h30!
Lessons usually finish at about midday, the horses then need unsaddling and need to be put into the fields.
After lunch assist with the afternoon lessons and then at 17h00 feed the horses
Day 4 (Wednesday) and weeks to follow – keep it up!
The team will work out a schedule for your coming weeks.
Weekends are your off days, there’s so much to do in the area. As you have you have two days in a row, feel free to venture further afield and enjoy the many exciting attractions that the Western Cape has to offer, from the highest bungee jump in the world to golden beaches and safaris.
Your last day – goodbye, we’ll miss you
It’s time to say goodbye and hamba kahle (go well in Zulu). You’ll be transferred back to Cape Town city centre or the airport, leaving in the afternoon and arriving in Cape Town at approximately 5pm. If you’re flying on this day, please book your flight for after 8.30pm. Alternatively, enjoy a special last night in beautiful Cape Town.
The Therapy in Motion Centre provides therapeutic and recreational riding opportunities to disabled people who, irrespective of their disability, are likely to benefit from riding in many ways – physically, socially and mentally. Every week the centre provides free riding lessons to 200 riders from 14 special needs schools in the Western Cape, many of which are in underprivileged areas, which make these experiences even more unique for the children who are able to experience them.
The Therapy in Motion Centre is affiliated to the RDA in the United Kingdom and the Federation for Disabled Riding International. They have 15 carefully selected, good-natured and hard-working horses in their stables, and all have been specially trained for the type of therapy they offer.
About the Project
The Therapy in Motion Centre provides therapeutic and recreational riding opportunities to disabled people who, irrespective of their disability, are likely to benefit from riding in many ways – physically, socially and mentally. Every week the centre provides free riding lessons to 200 riders from 14 special needs schools in the Western Cape, many of which are in underprivileged areas, which make these experiences even more unique for the children who are able to experience them.
The Therapy in Motion Centre is affiliated to the RDA in the United Kingdom and the Federation for Disabled Riding International. They have 15 carefully selected, good-natured and hard-working horses in their stables, and all have been specially trained for the type of therapy they offer.
While you're here
Accommodation
You’ll be staying in comfortable cabin which sleeps two people – same sex. There is a second house just off the property to house another two same sex volunteers. The cabin chalet has a kitchen, bathroom (with western toilets and hot running water).
Meals
Meals are self-catering, the team takes you grocery shopping once a week in the local village and you can cook all your meals in your cabin kitchen.
Facilities and the area
There is internet and Wi Fi at the centre with a manager living on site. The WIFI around the centre is free. However in the cabin you will need to top up the dongle with data once it has run out.
There’s a laundry machine on site to wash your clothing – all you need to do is supply your own washing powder.
The centre will supply you with a Therapy in Motion t-shirt to work in.
Area attractions:
Wine tasting in Constantia
Table Mountain
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Whale watching (in season)
Shark Cage Diving
Cape Town and all its amazing attractions.
What to bring:
Jeans
Mid thigh shorts
T-shirts for work – no spaghetti strings straps while working with children
Closed shoes for work eg trainers or hiking boots
Rain jacket·
Towel
Camera
Sun hat
Sun cream
Please note that the weather can become quite cold during the months of May to
September, please remember to bring some warm clothes with you.
What you get
Expert help-desk
We're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Thorough project briefing materials
Once you’ve booked you'll receive a full pack of all the information you need for the project. It contains general information about volunteering, your specific project and South Africa as well as advice on safety, visas and inoculations.
Airport pickup
Don’t worry about arriving in a new country on your own. We’ll be there to welcome you and take you to your accommodation.
Arrival orientation
Soon after you arrive you’ll attend a thorough orientation with our team. It covers everything you need to know about your next few days, dos and don’ts and your safety. You can ask any questions and find out more about the fun stuff to do around Cape Town and South Africa.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard.
24/7 emergency support
We’re always on hand in case of an emergency.
After you've booked
- You will receive a welcome email confirming your booking
- You’ll receive a full project pack with all the info you need
- You’ll be asked for any extra info if we need it – such as doctor’s notes for medical conditions, or maybe a CV on some projects
- You’ll need to pay if you haven’t paid already (at least 90 days before travelling)
Then the fun starts!
Next you should:
- Book your flights
- Arrange suitable travel insurance
- Get a visa for your trip if it's needed
- Visit a nurse or travel clinic for advice on inoculations and malaria prevention
- Start packing and come and join us!
*Remember to keep our contact details in a safe place in your hand luggage in case you need to contact us during your travels.
About South Africa
South Africans are patriotic and passionate about their country. And it’s not despite the country’s famously troubled history – it’s because of it! The people of this democratic country are so proud of how far they have come from the dark days of Apartheid and it makes us grateful for the diversity of cultures and languages that make up our amazing rainbow nation.
South Africa is a country of diversity in so many ways. It’s not a big country but travelling across the length and breadth of it, you’ll encounter an incredible range of climates and landscapes. There’s beautiful Cape Town, with its Mediterranean feel, pristine white beaches, sparkling oceans and magnificent Table Mountain providing the craggy backdrop for every setting. Travel east along the Garden Route with its picture-postcard coastal villages and you’ll eventually reach Durban and surrounds, a tropical area where the sun shines almost every day, the sea is warm and the surfing is fantastic! Then there’s the rugged Drakensberg mountain range, a place of rich Zulu heritage, spectacular views and jagged sweeps of peaks. Further north you’ll hit South Africa’s famous ‘veld’ or bush where you’ll find Africa’s big five and many thousands of other species of animals, hiding out in landscapes that are lit at sunset by the most vivid orange, pinks and purples.
There are so many things to see and do here that you’ll need years. But if your time is limited, here’s our top five must-dos:
Game viewing
You can’t come to Africa and not experience the amazing animals, the wild and beautiful African bush and the chorus of an African dawn. Kruger National Park is the most popular choice but there are a host of other parks in the northern parts of South Africa and the Free State as well as KwaZulu-Natal, offering a range of options from the most luxurious accommodation with chefs at your service to DIY game viewing and camping.
Adrenalin adventures
Adventure is the name of the game in this crazy country and if it’s outdoors and adrenalin-inducing, you’ll find it here. From the highest bungee jump and highest commercial abseiling in the world to shark cage diving, downhill mountain biking, trail running, walking safaris, big wave surfing and multi-day hiking, there’s something for ever thrill seeker.
Beaches
South Africa has thousands of miles of glorious coastline, with Blue Flag beaches and hidden gems dotted along its length. There’s beaches for the glamorous, where you can go to see and be seen, beaches perfect for families, beaches for walking, beaches for swimming and beaches for watersports. There’s probably beaches which have never been trodden by a tourist before. Go on, we dare you to find it!
Nightlife, restaurants and entertainment
No holiday would be complete without a few good nights out and South Africa knows how to entertain. With so many cultures making up our population, there’s loads of delicious food on offer full of every fresh ingredient you could think of. There are pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to suit every taste. South Africa is famous for its wonderful wines and there’s a craft beer revolution happening right here. Pack your dancing shoes!
A taste of township and culture
South Africa has a rich, tumultuous history dotted with dismal lows and incredible highs – and full of astounding stories from amazing people. It’s what makes South Africa the colourful place it is. Museums of every shape and size document the various aspects of our human and natural history, arts and culture – you’ll find them all over the country. Or why not take a township tour and experience the true heart of South African culture? If you’re visiting Cape Town, come to Kommetjie and visit Masiphumelele with the Township Sisters, our special Volunteer and Explore partners, and help support the sustainable development of this vibrant township.