Sabine's Smiling Horses in Costa Rica
Claudia's Volunteering Story
In October 2007 I started traveling in Costa Rica with a friend. We would travel for nine weeks and do some volunteering on farms throughout Costa Rica. Because I really like to ride and be around horses, I was looking for a place where I could do that. Through another person I came into contact with Sabine and we agreed on a date for me to arrive in Santa Elena.
The first few days were spent getting to know the place with all the animals and there are lots of them! I always enjoy living with families and share not only food but lots of stories and experiences as well, which I also did while traveling around Australia. Although I hadn’t guided horse tours before, I used to ride horses a lot and I worked on cattle stations in Australia. The local guides that Sabine had, showed me the different rides around the area and soon I was guiding the tours myself! Advantage of doing is this is that I both get to ride, which I love to do, and meet lots of interesting people.
There’s not a really typical day at Sabine’s Smiling Horses, everything depends on the rides that are coming in. Some days there are two tours a day and I’ll be on a horse for 4 to 6 hours and other days I’ll oil the saddles or clean out the stables. Because of this variety it doesn’t get boring. I learned a lot of new things here too, which not all have to do with horses. From drawing and painting to cutting sugar cane and planting grass, and playing “Uno” with who ever is in the house. Being a volunteer here means sharing lots of fun, in the house but also when there are activities in Santa Elena or Monteverde. For New Year’s for example, we went to a Beatles tribute concert of all local musicians of the Monteverde community and the week before we went to Costa Rican circus! Generally, there was something going on almost once a week. Now I’ve been here almost six weeks and I’m still not bored!
Although I have two favorite horses, I like them all! I am really glad that I decided to extended my stay in Costa Rica and therefore at Sabine’s Smiling Horses!!
get yourself to Volunteer at Sabine's Smiling Horses at info@horseback-riding-tour.com
at Tel: 506-2-645-6894 or 506-8-385-2424 Fax: 506-2-645-7894
