Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

location
1 - 6 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Learn Natural Horsemanship living and training with our freely living herd.
  • Immerse yourself into the study of classical horsesmanhip to learn how to train and ride a horse in order for him to be strong and enabled to carry us. Mobilisation, lateral movements, seat lessons...
  • Enjoy nice and fresh meals, made locally and partly produced on the farm.

Highlights

  • Learn Natural Horsemanship living and training with our freely living herd.
  • Immerse yourself into the study of classical horsesmanhip to learn how to train and ride a horse in order for him to be strong and enabled to carry us. Mobilisation, lateral movements, seat lessons...
  • Enjoy nice and fresh meals, made locally and partly produced on the farm.
  • Tours and free time activites in the area like: waterfalls, rafting, coffeetour, vulcany tour and much more for extra costs.
  • Private Room option


  • Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Learn how to rehabilitate horses to become strong, healthy and happy. Liberty training. Learn and Practice! Horses, Nature and Farmlife. Spanish Course available!

    About this program: 

    Our horse program consisting of meals, accomodation and one group lesson per day. You can choose if you like to take your course in Natural Horsemanship or Classical Training. You can upgrade to private lesson if you like. 

    Surround yourself with the pure nature of our ...

    About the program

    About this program: 

    Our horse program consisting of meals, accomodation and one group lesson per day. You can choose if you like to take your course in Natural Horsemanship or Classical Training. You can upgrade to private lesson if you like. 

    Surround yourself with the pure nature of our stunning Costa Rican mountain setting where a freely living herd of mixed horses from rescues to home bred, youngsters to shetlands is living in peace together. Learn how to connect with horses using body language, psychology and energy. During the horse connection and liberty clases you will not only learn to understand horses but will also learn a lot about yourself

    Within the horse connection lessons you can learn about the natural behaviour, herd behaviour, horse language, horses needs and how to become a great partner for your horse. 

    Within the study of Classical Horsemanship you learn about the horse's anatomy and how to use flexion, mobilization, lateral movements, lunging, balance, using aids in order to help your horse to balance and improve his  strength. You will learn how to use your seat correctly in order to help the horse. You can help with the rescue horses for them to become happy, self confident and strong again. 

    The first week of your stay you will mainly work with the horses on the ground to build a relationship. Please consider the longer you are able to stay the more you will be able to learn and develop. When you are an experienced rider you can help us train the horses from the saddle. Beginners might also get a chance to ride, but will be more working on the ground with the horses, learn confidence and get the first contact with horses. This program is not only about riding but about growing an equal relationship towards an equine friend. Some of our horses are in rehabilitation and cannot be ridden at all at the moment. But putting time and the correct training in, we hope to rehab all of them. 

    You will be assigned one or more horses or ponies to care for and help with their daily care and training.  Depending on the length of your stay and the skills you bring with you, you might get the opportunity to help with the training of a young or a rehabilitation horse.

    Please consider that training will be on the ground and riding. 

    With your stay at Finca Soley you will support our horse welfare program, foster rescue dog project and live an absolutely unforgettable experience combining self growth, education and a vacation in one of the most beautiful countries on our planet. 

    As an horse stay guest you can be part of our team. You can be involved in the daily care of our natural herd. Mucking, grooming, hoof care, equine massagesenergy healing work (touch for health) and training if you desire. Otherwise you can also just get your horse ready for the class and use the free time to observe the other lessons, the herd and relax or work remotly. 

     

    In the afternoons you have time to take use of our horse library, observe the horses in their pasture, take a tour, book onside Spanish lessons or just relax and chill on our peaceful mountain farm. You can also help with projects around the farm like: gardening, fruit harvest, cheese making or groom one of our foster dogs. 

    Meals are prepared by a chef and you will enjoy the comfort of an all inclusive stay. We dont serve lunch on Sundays, but you will be able to heat something prepared up.

    Finca Soley is a family run project established in 2014. We love to put our hands on and have built all the structures here. The farm has 3 houses, a 20x40m riding arena, a paradies paddock with shelter space for the animals, plenty of fruit trees, jungle with waterfalls, pastures and incredible views. Next to the horses our family consists of dogs (including some foster dogs), cats, chickens and cows. We try to keep our surroundings organic and natural and live a simple lifestyle in respect of nature and in harmony with the animals. 

    This is a great opportunity to learn new things to take home and experience real Costa Rica. Our main goal is to keep our horses happy and healthy and to share with you how to form a relationship with horses and learn how to ride with the finest aids in order to reach perfect balance.  




    Typical day

    8:00 - breakfast

    9:00 - Equine Activity: horse hike, Natural Horsemanship Groundwork lesson, riding lesson, theory lesson etc. 

    10:00 - Observe the other lessons

    12:00 - Lunch Break/ Siesta 

    15:00 - Optional: Project Work on two afternoons (harvest fruit/ bake bread/ making cheese/ clean tack/ garden ...

    Typical day

    8:00 - breakfast

    9:00 - Equine Activity: horse hike, Natural Horsemanship Groundwork lesson, riding lesson, theory lesson etc. 

    10:00 - Observe the other lessons

    12:00 - Lunch Break/ Siesta 

    15:00 - Optional: Project Work on two afternoons (harvest fruit/ bake bread/ making cheese/ clean tack/ garden etc.)

    18:00 - dinner/ social time





    Free-time activities

    Our peaceful farm is the perfect place to relax and observe our freely living herd, birds and with some luck a sloth. We have 5ha of primary rainforest with a trail that leads you to a tiny private stream of cristal clear water. Space to breath and reset. There is a fruit orchard with hammocks to ...

    Free-time activities

    Our peaceful farm is the perfect place to relax and observe our freely living herd, birds and with some luck a sloth. We have 5ha of primary rainforest with a trail that leads you to a tiny private stream of cristal clear water. Space to breath and reset. There is a fruit orchard with hammocks to listen to the sound of birds, observe the butterflys finish the guayabas or the colibris drinking from the colorful flowers. On the mountains you find precios spots to bring your yoga mat and observe the sunset watching the horses grase. 

    For more active afternoons and/or weekends book a tour with a local guide. Hike up the waterfalls, learn about Coffee, take a Chocolate tour, visit a local farmers market or hike up a vulcano. Also both costsides can be visited. We offer to swap a day if you stay longer and like to take a long weekend to chill on the beach. 





    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    the will to put the horses need above yours. team spirit and a kind attitude. Beginner, Intermediate and advances riders welcome.

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Finca Soley

    • Accomandation in our cofortable newly built Volunteerhouse, 
    • Food (3 meals)
    • Airport Pickup
    • Daily grouplessons (mo-fr) and possibilty to observe the other lessons
    • Natural Horsemanship course, 
    • Lessons in Classical Horsemanship, understand anatomy and biomechanic and learn how to train a horse for his own physical wellbeing
    • Access to our huge libary of horse books and dvds
    • help by planning your trip
    • help with organisation of weekend tours

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    Pick up at Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose

    We can alternativly pick up in San Jose. or elsewhere in the country at an extra cost. 

    (drop off is not included, but can be arranged)

    Accommodation

    Stay in our beautiful and spacious Volunteerhouse - Casa India. 

    Each room counts with a private entrance, has space for up to 4 people and each bed has a high quality matrace. All rooms have a delux bathroom privatly used with hot water showers and some with bathtub. We offer private, semi private and couple options on an aditional cost. The Volunteer House has a huge kitchen, dining and living area were volunteers prepare their meals, share evenings and travel stories. 

    Infront of the house there is a fire place to spend nights around the barn fire playing guitarre and making stick bread. 

    On the farm we have many fruit trees, egg hens and some vegies to harvest. 

    We keep 5 ha of rainforest on our homestead with a private trail that leads you to our tiny stream with purest water.


    Food & Beverages

    Three meals per day prepared with local and fresh ingreedients partly produced and grown on the farm. 


    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    daily arrival possible
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 988€
    2 weeks 1,885€
    3 weeks 2,743€
    6 weeks (max. stay) 5,393€
    Average fees 943€/week

    Program fees

    943€ per week 1 - 6 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 6 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Finca Soley during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Finca Soley

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (35 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2014

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Good response rate

    Coordinated by

    isa

    Spoken languages: German, English, Spanish

    About the project

    Here at Finca Soley we share our passion and love for horses and natural horsemanship. Come to enjoy, learn and develop.

    Meet your organization

    Finca Soley is a horse project and volunteers are completly involved in everything. Our volunteers recieve natural horsemanship lessons and a spanisch course in order to activly help in the training of the horses and the teaching (weather in the school or riding lessons for kids).


    Finca Soley is a very small project that really tries to change something here in the area but also for the horses that get in touch with people that have been with us. We will touch your idea about horses and horse training. Spread the word to create a better world for our beloved horses and the people around them.

    Finca Soley is a beautiful Guestfarm in the mountain area of Cartago, Costa Rica's best kept secret. Enjoy seeing and hearing horses neighing outside my balcony doors, watching the volcano smoke early in the morning, cooking over a beautiful fire pit.

    LEARN NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP & ART OF RIDING 

    We use Natural Horsemanship to understand and comunicate with our horses and learn about their body and how to teach them to use it properly using the academic art of riding without the need of a bit. 

    At Finca Soley you will:

    • learn the essential communication with horses on the ground
    • Start to understand what horses are telling you!
    • Learn to play with them in a understable Language
    • Become safe & smart around horses in the field and barn
    • Learn about your Horse’s unique character 
    • Learn to use psychology depending on horse-character 
    • Improve your drive & respect level

    All you need to know about the Courses Finca Soley offers

    • We refine our Communication skills on the rope and in liberty.
    • We built a loving friendship & become creative with our games.
    • We improve our riding communication skills & test our relationship by starting to ride brideless
    • We built up our skills on the rope and start to work on our draw system 
    • We will apply what we have learnt on the ground into the saddle
    • Learn to ride using Breathing & Engery techniques
    • Learn about principles of Natural Horsemanship
    • Discussions about various horsemanships from different Nations

    35 reviews · rating4.5

    Hallie Zava rating5

    2024 at Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

    Although I spent only two weeks in this program, there was never a dull moment! The hard work and chores paid off with the wonderful horsemanship lessons by Isa each day, who was an amazing instructor. The staff and other guests/volunteers were kind and easy to make friends with; I never felt lonely ...
    Faye Iris de Wind rating5

    2024 at Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

    Ik heb hier een van de leukste tijden van mijn leven gehad! Ik deed de 'Horsevolunteer Program', en het was zo leuk om met de paarden te werken. Ze zijn allemaal super lief en hebben echt een eigen karakter. Daarnaast zijn Isa, haar familie en de werkers ook allemaal enorm aardig. Isa geeft ook ...
    Dana Trautmann rating5

    2024 at Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

    I had a wonderful stay at Finca Soley! I only stayed there for 3 weeks and I still feel like I have learned so much about horses and also myself! I shared a room with three other people and I felt comfortable immediately!! The rooms are really pretty and everybody has their own space where they ...
    Olivia Meier rating4.8

    2024 at Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

    I had a great time at Finca Soley. I quickly felt at home and loved every second of my stay. Isa, her family and the staff are wonderful people. Isas horses (and the other animals on the farm) are lovely too. Each of them with a different character, each of them a chance to learn something new ...
    Dounia Dinar Bakri rating1.4

    2024 at Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

    *****Statement of the organization below***** Accommodation: I paid extra for the private room, which was fine, but the washing machine and dryer were right against the outside wall so I had constant noise while everyone was washing their clothes sometimes in the evening. The bed was full of bugs ...
    Eric Short rating5

    2023 at Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

    Everyone at Finca Soley was truly amazing. Isa and Milton were wonderful hosts, and we truly learned a lot about Costa Rica, the people, the surrounding environment, and caring for the horses. Being in the mountains, away from the "rest of the world" allowed us to focus our daily tasks, and ...

    Location


    You might also be interested in

    Contact isa
      Good response rate
    German, English, Spanish

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to isa
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

    Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.