Horse riding working holidays in the heart of Zimbabwe
About Our Programmes
Here at African Hoofbeatz we run two working holidays. One is for riders — gap-year travellers, people wanting a long stretch in the saddle, and anyone looking for an affordable way to ride in Africa. The other is for veterinary and equine students who need an AHEMS or husbandry placement, and want to spend it doing real work rather than watching. Here's what they both involve.
OVERVIEW
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Airport: Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (Bulawayo) International Airport
Month: Open All Year
Duration: 3 - 12 Weeks
Group Size: Max 4
Skill Level: Intermediate and Above
Weight Limit*: 75kg / 165lbs
Accommodation: Cottage on smallholding
Solo Traveller Friendly: Yes, no single supplement if willing to share
* The wellbeing of our horses is our top priority. Due to the nature of retraining young ex-racehorses, we request all participants to provide their height, weight, and riding experience prior to booking. For experienced riders, and at our sole discretion, we may accommodate a weight limit of up to 85kg.
Explore the thrilling world of polocrosse and immerse yourself in the behind-the-scenes of life on an authentic Zimbabwean equestrian smallholding. For those passionate about transforming the lives of ex-racehorses and eager to learn more about the exciting sport of polocrosse whilst developing your horsemanship skills, this programme is for you! This equestrian internship is designed for small groups of up to 4 guests at a time for an intimate and personal experience. You'll be working alongside Andy Taylor and his family, retraining racehorses and giving them an opportunity to excel in another career. Our unique working holiday blends horsemanship, sport, horse safari, and African adventure. It's ideal for gap year travellers, career-break riders, and riders seeking to build their skills while contributing to the ethical retraining of ex-racehorses. We also run a dedicated placement for veterinary and equine students looking for hands-on AHEMS or husbandry experience.
During your time at this Zimbabwean homestay, you will be taught the basics of the sport, join in with friendly games and tournaments, explore the local area on horseback, go on a 3-night horseback wildlife camping safari, and much more. You will also have the opportunity to assist with the rehabilitation of physically and mentally disabled children through the interaction with horses, help out in the local community, and really delve into life in Zimbabwe. Weekends in the polocrosse community are a highlight, with sociable braais at the polocrosse club after Sunday practices, and an opportunity to experience Bulawayo's nightlife and restaurants. The facilities and accommodation are simple, yet it's incredibly rewarding for those who wish to experience the equestrian world in Africa. Veterinary students do all of this too, but take greater responsibility for the health and husbandry of the horses, running the morning health round alongside Andy.
During your stay, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant Bulawayo Polocrosse scene and make great new friends. Whether you've been riding all your life and are wanting to sharpen your horsemanship skills, or an intermediate rider wanting to gain an insight into the equestrian lifestyle in Africa – Andy can help you achieve your goals whilst making unforgettable memories.
THE ACCOMMODATION
THE TAYLOR FARM
You will be staying with the other volunteers in a self-contained cottage on Taylor’s equestrian smallholding, 10km out of town and 5km from the local Polocrosse club. This area consists of other small holdings focusing on agriculture and borders on the Hope Fountain tribal trust lands, which makes for great outrides.
There is stick and ball field for polocrosse schooling, which can also be set up for jumping. They have a large round pen for free lunging, schooling and backing horses. Andy and his wife, Karen, have 4 young children. It is a warm family environment with a family who has a strong passion for horses and horsemanship.
YOUR COTTAGE
The cottage has a large bedroom with two single beds and a separate bunk bed, a small lounge, a kitchen and a bathroom. Your room is equipped with fans, sockets to charge all your electronics, and storage cabinets. A basic cleaning and laundry service will be provided for you.
The cottage has its own private garden overlooking one of the orchard paddocks with an outside lapa and braai/barbecue area. The kitchen is stocked with ingredients for you to make your own breakfasts and lunches. Dinner will be cooked for you which you can enjoy outside at the Lapa area. You’ll be able to shop at the local supermarket for any of your own extra snacks and drinks. And should you wish to spend some time in Bulawayo, there are a few local restaurants and bars in town.
THE DESTINATION
BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Known as the gateway to Matobo National Park, home to the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique granite formations and ancient rock art. The smallholdings just outside Bulawayo are well-known for their vibrant equestrian community.
The Bulawayo equestrian community frequently organises events and competitions, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among local riders. Additionally, the proximity to Bulawayo ensures that these smallholdings benefit from the city’s infrastructure while offering a peaceful countryside lifestyle.
DATES & RATES
While there are no fixed start dates for this working holiday (minimum stay 3 weeks), we recommend a stay of 4 weeks or more to allow for greater progression and immersion.
The competitive polocrosse season in Zimbabwe runs from March to August, with one tournament each month. There may occasionally be opportunities for volunteers to participate in tournaments, though this is not guaranteed and depends on factors such as horse availability and where they are in their retraining journey.
Local club practices take place every Sunday during the season and offer a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to play in relaxed practice chukkas, while giving the ex-racehorses valuable, low-pressure exposure to the game.
If you have any questions about arrival dates or the potential to play in tournaments, feel free to contact us.
2026 RATES:
3 WEEKS USD $2400 per person
4 WEEKS USD $3000 per person
5 WEEKS USD $3600 per person
6 WEEKS USD $4200 per person
8 WEEKS USD $5400 per person
10 WEEKS USD $6600 per person
12 WEEKS USD $7800 per person
2027 RATES:
3 WEEKS USD $2400 per person
4 WEEKS USD $3000 per person
5 WEEKS USD $3600 per person
6 WEEKS USD $4200 per person
8 WEEKS USD $5400 per person
10 WEEKS USD $6600 per person
12 WEEKS USD $7800 per person
If you have any questions about dates and rates, please drop us a message using the link below.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodation in a shared furnished cottage (accommodating up to four volunteers in large bedroom - a bunk bed and two single beds).
Three meals a day (self service breakfast and lunch; plus a home cooked dinner with the Taylors).
Tea, coffee, water and cordial.
Group transport within the programme, as well as use of shared vehicle.
All equestrian activities (this programme focuses on time in the saddle - expect to be riding multiple horses a day).
This includes riding and polocrosse lessons; Bulawayo Polocrosse Club practices on Sundays; outrides; Horsemanship, schooling and backing lessons; seasonal horse swims; basic veterinary care; and stable management.
One Matopos Farmhouse 4-day (3-night) wildlife horseback camping safari (including entry into Matopos National Park).
Weekly laundry and basic cottage cleaning.
WiFi (Starlink).
PRICE EXCLUDES:
International flights to Bulawayo (Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is the nearest airport).
Visas.
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance (mandatory).
Transfers outside of the itinerary.
Polocrosse tournaments and local showjumping shows. Should you wish to take part (approx. USD $100 – $200).
For longer stay volunteers – additional Matopos Farmhouse 3-night wildlife horseback camping safari (approx. USD $300).
Soft and alcoholic drinks (can be purchased locally).
Snacks / additional food (can be purchased locally).
Drinks or meals in town.
Extra excursions and additional activities.
Items of a personal nature.
FAQs
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more info, link below.
We’d love to chat!
If you would like to know more about our Retraining of Racehorses Programme, availability, booking process or have any questions, please get in touch!
Two people riding horses on a dirt trail through trees, while two giraffes walk toward them in the distance.
Equestrians in a polo match, riding horses and using mallets against a background of blue sky and trees.
Two polo players on horseback in a match, raising their mallets in the air.
View from horseback riding showing a group of giraffes on the grassy plain under a bright blue sky with some clouds.
Two people riding horses in a grassy field with a large rocky hill in the background.
A woman wearing a white helmet and white t-shirt is petting a dark brown horse while sitting on it in a grassy field with trees in the background.
A woman in riding gear and a helmet standing next to a brown horse with white leg wraps and a white star on its forehead, outdoors in a rural setting.
A young boy wearing a helmet and riding gear, standing next to a brown horse with a black mane, being attended to by another person adjusting the saddle, in an outdoor setting with trees and blue sky.
A woman crouching beside a dark brown horse with a white blaze on its face, outdoors with trees and a dirt ground in the background.
Two polo players riding horses on a polo field, chasing a ball with mallets during a game.
A jockey riding a horse during a polo match on a grassy field.
A man smiling outdoors on a sunny day, wearing a green cap, a blue patterned shirt, white pants, and carrying a black duffel bag over his shoulder, standing on a grassy field with trees and other people in the background.
Five women wearing medals around their necks, standing outdoors on a sunny day, smiling and posing for a photo, with some tents and parked cars in the background.
A single-story house with a black roof, white walls, and multiple windows, surrounded by trimmed bushes and a grassy yard, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Room with two single beds, each with pillows and white bedding, wooden nightstands, a wooden dresser in the center, a dark area rug, and sunlight casting a shadow on one bed.
A small kitchen with wooden cabinets, a washing machine, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, and a window overlooking greenery.
A dirt road winding through a grassy landscape with scattered trees, leading towards large rock formations in the distance under a blue sky with some clouds.
A group of five zebras standing on a grassy field with trees in the background.
A woman riding a horse in a grassy field with trees and a cloudy sky in the background
A person riding a horse in an open plains area with trees and distant animals under a partly cloudy sky.
A person riding a gray horse in a polo match, wearing a helmet and blue shirt, on a grassy field with flags and spectators in the background.
A group of four people riding horses in a grassy field during a polo match, with trees and a blue advertising banner in the background.
A polo player wearing a white helmet, blue shirt, and white pants riding a brown horse with polo gear, holding a polo mallet in the air, on a grassy field with a distant landscape of trees and open land under a cloudy sky.
A woman riding a horse jumps over a colored obstacle in an outdoor equestrian arena.
A woman riding a horse in a dry grass field with a young foal walking nearby, and trees in the background.
A person taking a photo of a group of three rhinos in a grassy area with trees in the background.
Person hiking underneath a large overhanging rock formation in a forested area.
A deer with large ears looks through thick green foliage in a forest.
A girl in a navy T-shirt, beige shorts, and a baseball cap feeding a giraffe in a zoo or wildlife park on a sunny day.
Giraffe near a group of school children and adults under a large canopy in a cloudy outdoor setting.
A man with sunglasses, a white and gray t-shirt, blue pants, and rubber boots standing beside a black horse outdoors on a sunny day with green trees and trucks in the background.
Three people sitting outdoors on the ground, engaged in an activity involving Polocrosse at African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
Two women playing Polocrosse at African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
Group of polocrosse players riding horses on a grassy field during a match at African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
Group of people playing polo on horseback African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
Two polo players on horseback competing for the ball during a polo match on a grassy at African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
A young girl with braided hair petting a horse near a wooden fence in a green outdoor setting African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
A young woman and a man are standing near a white horse in a paddock African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
A young boy in a blue jacket and helmet riding a white horse while a woman in a blue uniform holds the saddle African Hoofbeatz Zimbabwe
A man in a light blue jacket and baseball cap is holding a horse's hoof while a person in pink and white socks and black boots appears to be cleaning or examining it. The horse's legs are wrapped with white and pink bandages, and the setting is outdoors near a truck with a green rope tied to the horse.
A man wearing a white helmet, green button-up shirt, white pants, and tall black boots at an outdoor event, holding a small net and smiling.
Person riding a horse across a grassy field with trees and hills in the background.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @AFRICANHOOFBEATZ
