Experience life on a Canadian ranch. Do you love the countryside and horses, and would you like to discover life on a farm? Enjoy a unique experience by sharing the daily life of a Canadian family on a ranch! Discover all our horse-related missions here.
On a horse ranch in Canada
Are you looking for an experience off the beaten track? Do you love country life and horses? Then head to Canada and join the “Horse Ranch Canada” program offered by our partner Discover the vast open landscapes of the Canadian Marlboro country while becoming part of a local farming family. The Ranchstay program was designed for cowboys and cowgirls at heart who want to spend time on a ranch, far from city lights and urban life.
Experience ranch life in Canada
This program is designed for people eager to learn something new and connect with the local community where they will be placed. This experience gives participants the opportunity to integrate into ranch life and take part in family activities. Volunteers have access to all the ranch facilities, meaning they can ride horses, drive tractors, and much more! The program is not limited…ite pas à l’agriculture, il comporte également un volet interculturel. La famille emmène également les participants avec elle lorsqu’elle rend visite à des voisins, fait ses courses ou se rend à des événements tels que des rodéos et des festivals communautaires.
Volunteers take part in all ranch activities.
This experience allows participants to take part in the daily activities of a horse ranch family. Ecovolunteers become fully involved in life on the ranch. They may ride horses, drive tractors, and much more. The program goes beyond horses and farm work — it is also a cultural exchange experience that offers a genuine insight into Canadian culture. Host families often invite volunteers to join them when visiting neighbors, running errands, or attending events such as rodeos and community festivals.
Daily tasks may include
- Feeding the animals
- Cleaning kennels and stables
- Grooming animals during spring and summer
- Walking the horses in spring and summer
- Exercising the horses
- Stable maintenance (straw, repairs, cleaning)
- Light household chores
- Gardening
Activities vary depending on the season. For example, during the colder months, volunteers help with firewood duties in the morning and evening. You will take part in the farm’s daily activities 4 to 5 days per week, for around 4 to 8 hours per day depending on the time of year.
There are usually between 1 and 2 volunteers on the ranch at the same time
Dates
- From 4 to 16 weeks
- Available year-round. However, it is recommended to join between April and October for the best experience.
Prices
- 4 weeks: US$1,195
- 6 weeks: US$1,395
- 8 weeks: US$1,595
- 10 weeks: US$1,795
- 12 weeks: US$1,995
- 16 weeks: US$2,395
Included in the price
- Placement on a Canadian horse ranch (organized by the partner)
- Accommodation
- Private room in a house or trailer
- Meals: 3 meals per day
- Hostel package: 1 night in the nearest town to the ranch
- Mail holding service: you may use the partner’s office as a secure mailing address
- Assistance in case of any issues with your volunteer project — the partner will help and act as a mediator between you and your host family
- Through the partner, you can also book tours across Canada after completing your volunteer project
- 24/7 emergency contact: if any issue arises during your stay in Vancouver, a member of the partner team can be reached at any time for assistance
Not included in the price
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Transfer to the ranch (pickup is provided from the bus station)
- Airport pickup
- From 4 weeks
- Language: English (intermediate level)
- From 18 years old
- Families, friends, and couples are welcome, but all participants must be 18 years old or over.
- Horse-riding experience is recommended. If volunteers have little or no riding experience, they may be placed on a mixed ranch with horses or on a sheep, cattle, or alpaca ranch.
Arrival
The itinerary varies depending on the ranch where you will be placed. FRONTEERING will provide further details at the time of registration.
Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in a private room located on the ranch or in a ranch caravan, with bed linen and towels provided (please ensure your room is cleaned before departure). Bathroom facilities are usually shared. You are expected to keep your room clean and tidy.
Meals
Dinner and most often breakfast are taken with the family. You may occasionally need to prepare your own breakfast and lunch. There is no specific catering for vegetarians. Meals are healthy and nutritious, and you will eat what the family eats. If you need additional food outside meal times, you must provide it yourself. You will be responsible for washing and drying the dishes.
Life on the ranch encourages sharing and discovery of different foods, so if you enjoy cooking or baking, it is welcome. A limited supply of snacks, soft drinks, and fresh fruit is provided. You may accompany the family into town if you need to do your own shopping.
Location
The partner works with several ranches in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.
- Une occasion unique de découvrir la culture canadienne.
- Une chance d’améliorer vos compétences équestres en faisant de l’équitation tout au long de votre séjour !
- Améliorer votre anglais
- Une chance de développer vos compétences en agriculture !
- Une occasion exceptionnelle de visiter et d’explorer la beauté des régions rurales du Canada.
Tous les avis sur les missions de Fronteering
About the partner organisation
Our partner is a Canadian organisation founded in 2010, specialising in overseas volunteering projects aimed at preserving the environment, wildlife and indigenous communities. It offers placements all over the world, but thanks to its Canadian base, it provides numerous experiences with a positive impact in North America. It also focuses on the least-visited places on the planet. Places that still boast rich biodiversity and where you can immerse yourself in a world that remains wild. Our partner strives to offer volunteering experiences off the beaten track. Adventure awaits!
