In a nutshell

Accomodation & Meals included
Groundwork and Riding Lessons
Support rescue and rehabilitation animals
Work voluntary to help with animals, farm or local community (optional)
learn Spanish (optional)
Weekends off for tours
Arrival Sunday - Departure Saturday
Ideal Program for longer term stays during sabbatical, gap year or digital nomads

 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. Expirienced riders can ride daily. Beginners will be riding under supervision.

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 equine volunteer you can be part of our team. You can be involved in the daily care of our natural herd. Mucking, grooming, hoof care, equine massages, energy healing work (touch for health) and training.

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 get involved socially and give back by teaching English and engaging in the local community or help with projects around the farm like: building, gardening, fruit harvest, cheese making or taking care of a foster dog. 

Please consider: We do not require any work from our volunteers! All work done is on a voluntary basis, you can also do the program without doing the work, in case you need to work online or just take time for yourself. If you do like to join the working tasks you need to sign up to them in the weekly meeting.

Is your help needed? YES, but it is always voluntary and usually there are enough volunteers that are able to help, that is why we are saying it that clearly.  

Meals are prepared together and the volunteers are required to help with the preparation, service and dishes according to the plan. 

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.  

 A 25% deposit has to be paid at registration. If possible please se the SEPA option as credit cards take a high fee in us. 

The booking system requires to pay add ons at booking. Nevertheless the add ons are refundable at 75% till the arrival day as well as the whole programm fee. 

Payment plans can be offered. 

The remaining 75% is due at your arrival day. The second payment can be done using the payment link or in cash. Since we need long-term planning your registration for the booked time is binding. The fee for the entire period specified by you is due upon your arrival at the farm. In case of early departure, no refund of the fee project is possible. This is true even if we have to exclude you because of a violation of our house and community rules on the further project work. If you wish to terminate your participation, we provide you free to find a suitable matching participant.

If you cannot arrive we are happy to find an alternative date for your stay with us within one year.

 Welcome to Finca Soley. We are excited to welcome you and share a wonderful experience with you here in Costa Rica. Since we are a community of many different people, we want to respect each other's individual needs. Let us live together in respect and peace. Finca Soley is an ecological farm. We want to reduce, recycle and make best use of all materials. We want to keep our grounds and home clean from toxic or harmful things. Please do not use chemical products, if you need information don’t hesitate to ask us! 

1. Volunteers have their own space and shared spaces with our guests, employees and family. Volunteer only place is your bedroom. Shared spaces are the kitchen, terrace, living room and bathroom, the wash- and sink area, the barn, the gardens. All spaces must be always tidy and clean. After using a place clean up after yourself. Don’t leave stuff lying around.
   There is a private home of the farm family.Please respect privacy.
2. The house has quiet time from 8 pm till 8 am and siesta time from 1 pm till 2 pm. During quiet times you can use shared spaces to study, to watch educational videos by using headphones or texting with your family and friends back home. For other activities please use outside spaces.
3. Officially smoking is forbidden. If you smoke you have to do it outside.
4. You can use the washing machine. Choose a sunny day and dry them by putting them in the sun. Take your clothes in as soon as they are dry. If it’s raining you can use the dryer.
5. The study area contains several books and DVDs. If you take a book or a paper copy please write your name and the date in the list above the shelf and cross when returned. Please watch DVDs only on the big screen and return right after use. Books and DVDs are of high value; please treat them with care and respect.
6. The barn area is always clean and tidy and all equipment on its place. Please support the tack room team by tiding up after using things. The saddles are all imported and need good care, they should not get wet.
7. The kitchen is always clean and tidy. Keep all opened food (bread, wraps, fruits, flour, sugar etc.) in the fridge. Use top shelf in fridge for goods which are already open and need to be eaten first. Don't waste food. 
8. The bedroom needs to be cleaned regularly (at least once per week). Please organize yourself to keep it clean and nice. Make your bed in the morning to prevent snake bites. For the same reason don't have things lying around on the floor. Take things out of your bag since they will start to mold when kept inside the suitcase. Food is forbitten in the rooms.
9. Turn off lights and unplug computer and other machines when not in use.
10. Cellphone use: Don’t use your phone during work times.
11. Bathroom. Please throw toilet paper into the bin and separate plastic items. Toilet paper must be burned regularly. Shower once per day, after you finished outside jobs.
12. Dogs are not allowed inside the house, and not on the terrace. Do not allow animals to jump on you.
13. We have working hours. Please respect our times off and keep your questions for our working hours.
14. Horse barn is closed between 6pm and 7am and on Sundays. 
15. This project is thought as an experimental field, which is created and shaped by its individuals and community. Please think instead of “I dislike” in terms like “maybe we can…”. Think in solutions not problems.
16. Let’s make it happen together (=

 Please try to bring as less as possible plastic packaging and make sure all your care products are made of natural ingredients as we are an ecological farm. 

ž Riding pants

ž Long trousers to work (Jeans, Leggings, etc.)

ž Comfortable clothes for the evenings (It can get cold)

ž Clothes for trips

ž Everyday clothes

ž Closed shoes for riding (Paddock Boots)

ž Sneakers or hiking boots for working and hiking

ž Flip Flops, Sandals or something similar

ž Light longs-leave shirts to protect against sun and insects

ž Cap or sunhat

ž Working gloves

ž Long Raincoat and/or umbrella

ž Riding helmet (We have some on the farm too)

ž Towel (there are some towels here too)

ž Swimsuit

ž Sunscreen and repellent 

ž Flash light - ideally head light

ž Water bottle to refill 

ž Toiletries (shampoo bar & soap bar, organic and bio gradable products as our water maintains in our gardens we cannot use silicone or plastic in our soaps, we also recommend you the moon cup instead of commercial tampons for your trip)

ž Camera

ž Small backpack

ž Booklet and pen to make notes (For Spanish- and Theory lessons)

ž Maybe bum bag 

ž Credit card (Mastercard or Visa. Some banks also accept debit cards)

ž Spanish dictionary

ž First Aid (Plaster, ointment, charcoal tablets, etc.)

ž Our number(isa): 00506 83694339 (= 

· On the farm there are costa rican ladies offering laundry service for 1000 Colones per basket. 

· IF YOU HAVE SPACE LEFT IN YOUR SUITCASE, please let us know. A lot of things you can get easily in your country are difficult, very expensive or impossible to get in Costa Rica.

· We are always happy about any donations for the horses like leather care products, brushes, fly maks, hay nets or everything that is needed in a horse stable.

Arrival info: At the airport check for the “Finca Soley” sign.