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EQUINE CARE SPECIALIST – FOUNDATION PROGRAM
Volunteering with horses redefined – hands-on learning in equine care & natural horsemanship in Costa Rica.
EQUINECARE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM – COSTA RICA
Deepen your understanding of horse care, health, and classical training at Finca Soley in the mountains of Costa Rica. Combine hands-on experience, theory, and mentoring while learning with our experienced instructors and well-schooled horses.
Explore:
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Natural horsemanship and liberty for communication and trust
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Horse care and rehabilitation to support long-term well-being
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Classical in-hand work and groundwork for riding in lightness
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Hoof care, anatomy, and biomechanics
As the foundation of our Academy, this program helps you turn knowledge into practical skills—supporting horses’ physical and emotional well-being.
Join us and work toward your Equine Care Specialist Certification.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Build your foundation in horse care and natural horsemanship – hands-on, structured, and transformative.
This program is designed to give you real-world horse skills from the ground up. Every day combines practical work, guided lessons, and theory, so you don’t just do the tasks — you understand why they matter.
You will learn:
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Daily Care & Stable Management
Feeding, grooming, mucking out, and herd management — the foundation of every good horse professional. -
Equine Health Basics
Nutrition, hoof care, and daily health checks, plus an introduction to common medical care. -
Behavior & Psychology
Understanding equine behavior, safe handling strategies, and how to build trust through natural horsemanship. -
Classical Horsemanship Introduction
First steps in classical in-hand work and riding lessons to connect care with training. -
Liberty & Connection
Experience liberty work and learn how to communicate with horses without tack, creating true partnership. -
Sustainable Living Practices
Learn and live close to nature with farm-to-table meals, community life, and the rhythms of rural Costa Rica.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE & DAILY RHYTHM
Expect around 30–35 hours of guided equine activities and study time per week, with free time to rest, travel, or explore Costa Rica.
Your week runs Monday to Friday, with one to two days free to rest, travel, or explore Costa Rica. Each day blends hands-on horse care, structured lessons, and time for research — so every hour builds your knowledge.
A Typical Day at Finca Soley:
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7:00 – 8:00 Morning horse feeding & stable care (teamwork with other students)
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8:00 – 8:30 Breakfast
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8:30 – 12:00 Equine-related tasks and learning: mucking, grooming, lessons, lunging, riding, and moving horses to pasture
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12:00 – 2:00 Lunch & break time
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2:00 – 4:00 Alternating afternoons:
• Project work (tack room organization, tack cleaning, stable projects)
• or independent study & research assignments -
4:30 Evening stabling: bring horses in, feed, and prepare for the night
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5:00 End of structured activities
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6:00 Dinner
Saturday free - Sundays duty rotation
LEGAL & VISA INFORMATION
Our program is designed to be both accessible and legal for international students in Costa Rica.
This is a work exchange for lessons:
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Your active hours (feeding, care, stable work) are exchanged for riding, theory, and training lessons.
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A program fee covers your accommodation and weekday meals.
👉 This is important: In Costa Rica, volunteering that only provides room and board usually requires a work visa. By paying a program fee, your stay is fully legal on a tourist visa — making your experience smooth and worry-free.
You don’t need to arrange special paperwork — just arrive on a tourist visa, and everything else is organized for you.
PRICING & DATES
What’s included:
✔ Shared accommodation with private bathroom, room service once per week
✔ Weekday meals:
• Mon–Sat: breakfast & lunch served
• Mon–Fr: dinner provided to heat up
• Weekends: no meals (students often order pizza or enjoy leftovers)
✔ Per week you can expect to have four lessons
✔ Different horses to work with during your stay
✔ Certification as Equine Care Specialist upon completion (not mandatory)
✔ Airport pickup on arrival (drop-off available for an extra fee)
✔ Support from an English-speaking coordinator
✔ Help organizing weekend tours and activities
Not included:
✘ Flights to/from Costa Rica
✘ Travel Insurance
✘ Airport drop-off transfer
✘ Personal expenses & insurance
✘ Tours and travel during weekends
✘ Meals on Weekends
✘ Landry Service (5$ per load)
✨ Relax by the pool, explore, or travel in Costa Rica.
REQUIREMENTS
To join the Equine Care Specialist Program, you should be:
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Minimum age: 18 years (please contact us to arrange a stay for your minor)
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Fit & able to work in a warm, tropical climate with daily physical activity
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Open-minded and ready to learn new approaches to horse training
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Passionate about horses, animals, nature, and the outdoors
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Friendly & team-oriented, willing to help with community tasks
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Respectful attitude toward our family, staff, animals, and property
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Ability to understand and follow instructions
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Emotionally stable, responsible, and reliable
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Prior horse experience is not required — plus a genuine love for horses
👉 If you are not physically fit for the daily horse work, you can still complete the certification through our Stay & Ride Program, where the learning focus is adapted.
To receive certification, students must successfully complete:
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3 written assignments
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1 practical test
Available Program Dates
The program is open between October, November and December 2026.
April 2027
July & August 2027
PROGRAM FEES
DurationPrice (USD)
4 weeks $2,770
📍 Arrival always Sunday – Departure always Saturday
💲 Additional weeks: + $650
YOUR GUIDES & TEACHERS
Isa Avendaño
FOUNDER, TRAINER & HORSEWOMAN
WITH 25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Isa has over 20 years of experience in natural horsemanship and classical riding, specializing in rehabilitating horses and teaching riders from beginners to advanced dressage. She has trained students from around the world, developed structured certification programs, and runs Finca Soley as both a retreat center and equestrian academy.
Milton Avendaño
FOUNDER, GUIDE & MASTER BUILDER
Milton was born in the jungles of Nicaragua and brings a deep knowledge of nature, plants, and local culture to Finca Soley. He is not only a wonderful chef and tour guide, but also the creative mind and hands behind many of the finca’s buildings. With his care, skills, and warm hospitality, Milton ensures both the place and the people feel at home.
WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?
TRANSFORMING HORSES WITH BALANCE, STRENGTH, AND HARMONY
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Recognized proof of your learning to support studies, careers, or future horse ownership.
LEARN FROM A HORSE-OWNER TRAINER
Your learning is directed by a trainer who develops her own horses up to high school level in classical horsemanship.
HIGH-LEVEL SCHOOL HORSES
Train with horses schooled up to high school movements, experienced in natural horsemanship and classical riding.
IMMERSIVE COSTA RICA EXPERIENCE
HANDS-ON & STRUCTURED
Daily equine care, lessons, and your own project horse give you real, practical skills.
Live surrounded by mountains, jungle, and wildlife — with a pool on-site and even sloths in the trees.
THE HORSES
HIGHLY SCHOOLED & DEEPLY CARED FOR
At the heart of Finca Soley are our horses — their well-being always comes first. Each horse lives a balanced life: nights in comfortable stalls with hay and grain, and days spent in social herds on spacious mountain pastures.
All our horses are trained regularly to stay supple, strong, and healthy. Many are schooled to a high level, from lateral work to liberty and high school movements, making them exceptional teachers for our guests. With different ages, sizes, and personalities, there is always a perfect match for every rider.
Some of our horses have been rescued and carefully rehabilitated, proving that true partnership and performance do not depend on breeding alone. What they all share is their strength, soundness, and joy in working with people. At Finca Soley, you will not only meet highly trained schoolmasters, but also experience how a horse’s unique journey can inspire your own.
Please note: our weight limit for riders is 175 lbs / 80 kg, to ensure the health and comfort of our horses.
OUR TACK & EQUIPMENT
At Finca Soley, each horse has tack that is carefully chosen to fit their body and training. We use a variety of saddles and bridles, always matching horse and rider for comfort and balance.
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Saddles: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Western (for our Quarter Horses), and felt pads for riders who want a closer feel.
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Bridles: both bitless and bitted options, depending on the horse and the rider’s needs.
Every piece of equipment is fitted individually to ensure that the horse can move freely, stay healthy, and offer the best possible experience to the rider.
YOUR STAY
Sleep in the mountains, wake up to birdsong.
You’ll be accommodated in our Volunteer Lodge, a cozy shared space designed for comfort and community.
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Accommodation: 4 beds per room with a private bathroom and bathtub
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Meals: Farm-to-table style with plenty of fresh vegetables and healthy options. We happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. For very specific dietary needs, students are welcome to purchase their own extras locally.
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Community Life: Students share responsibilities such as helping with dishes and occasional meal service — part of the teamwork and farm rhythm.
✨ Life at Finca Soley combines simplicity and comfort, with fresh mountain air, nourishing food, and a supportive community.
INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF OUR PARTICIPANTS
