Horse Care in Malta

The volunteer work or non-paid internship takes place at an NGO in Malta that is dedicated to rescuing horses that have been severely neglected or are threatened with slaughter. Many horses are imported to Malta annually and are mostly used there as racehorses or polo horses. If these horses are no longer suitable for the sport, the maintenance costs are usually too high for their owners, and the horses are neglected or slaughtered. The organization rescues such horses, nurses them back to health, and tries to place them in a permanent, loving home.

To finance its activities, the organization carries out various activities with horses, including swimming with horses in summer, photo shoots with horses, and pony rides for children. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation efforts, the organization is also active with educational initiatives to raise awareness for the welfare of horses and the importance of responsible horse ownership. They often get involved in the community through events and cooperations to promote a culture of compassion and respect for animals throughout Malta.

During your stay, your daily tasks typically include cleaning stables and paddocks, as well as assisting with feeding, caring for, training, and exercising the horses. You also help with activities such as pony rides for children, horse photo shoots, and community events. If interested, you can also help out in the organization's shop, which sells horse feed, hay, used horse equipment, and riding apparel, or support the NGO with office tasks, for example, in communicating with donors. You typically work 30-40 hours per week.