The Problem
The Centre was founded over 12 years ago to address the fate of mustangs that are taken from the wild. After these mustangs are captured, they are placed in holding pens where they await adoption. Currently there are over 40,000 horses awaiting adoption. The ones that don’t get adopted, are killed.

A lot of people think they can adopt a wild horse and tame it themselves. They cannot. The result is that these horses end up in abusive and neglectful environments.

What the Centre does about the problem:
The Centre rescues mustangs from such situations and illegal slaughter houses. The horses, who are often at the brink of death when they reach the Centre, are nursed back to health and then trained with positive reinforcement and love to become adoptable.

The Centre currently houses about 30 horses (plus 10 dogs, 2 cats, one pig, a few geese and hens as well!). You'll be working with all of them.

Why the Centre needs volunteers:
When the horses arrive at the Centre, they are often terrified of people. That is why volunteers are not only needed for the daily upkeep of the Centre, but also critical to the taming and training of these horses. By spending time with kindhearted people who care, the horses come to realize that not all people are bad.

Mustangs were, historically, a valued resource that played a critical role in the successful development of America. Mustangs are regarded as a treasured national symbol in America, but, sadly, they are currently treated in a cruel and inhumane manner. By volunteering at this rescue Centre, you can help some of these horses to live a dignified and happy life.

The Horse Whisperer: The Centre is run by an incredible lady, Diane, who historically has supported the Centre from her job as a bar-tender! She talks to the horses ... and they talk back!

WORK CONTENT
Work at the Centre is all focused on helping the horses. Apart from the elements in the Example Weekly Itinerary below, you could also take part in  Vet visits and new rescue missions, should they arise during your project.

The work schedule is structured in two work shifts. One morning and one afternoon. Each work shift is about 2 hours. Breaks can be taken any time. Other than work, here will be activities such as riding and socializing with the horses.

This is an example of your weekly itinerary:

Day 1:
This day will change and this is only a very rough guide - your schedule will depend on what time your arrive
Pick up in Orlando City or at the airport.
You'll be taken to your accommodation and settled in, then have an Induction/Orientation into the ara and into the Project Centre.

Diane will tell you about the problems wild mustangs face in the US, how most of the horses come to Centre, how she works with them, that some horses will always be wild, why they do not breed the horses, etc… Diane will also explain what your volunteer assignments will be.

1 pm – Lunch.
2 pm – You'll be taken around the place to see the Centre, sanctuary horses and the surroundings.
5 pm- Freshen up and start to make dinner.
7 pm- Go to hotel

Day 2:
8 am - Pick up at your hotel and taken to the Centre, breakfast and orientation for the day. Here Diane and Mary-Alice will tell you what the schedule for today will be. I.e, what chores the morning and afternoon work shifts will include.
10 am - Half morning work shift. You'll will help with the most pressing chores of that morning.
11 am - Go visit the sanctuary horses and help  Noreen or Ellen with the feeding of these horses.
12.30 pm – Lunch. From this day forwards, you'll take turns helping prepare lunch.
2 pm – Afternoon work shift. 
5 pm - Freshen up and start to make dinner. If you're not assigned to help with dinner on this day, you'll have leisure time.
7 pm - Return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 3:
8 am - Pick up, breakfast and orientation of chores for work shifts and other activities of the day.
10 am- Half morning work shift.
11.30 am - Trail ride. Lunch will be prepared and brought along to eat.
1.30 – Return from Trail Ride, care for the horses, freshen up and relax.
3 pm – Afternoon work shift.
5 pm – Freshen up, make dinner.
7 pm - Return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 4:
8 am - Pick up, breakfast and orientation of chores for work shifts and other activities of the day.
10 am – Morning work shift
Noon - Prepare lunch and bring lunch to eat with the sanctuary horses. Spend time walking with the sanctuary horses and feeding them. Noreen will supervise this and tell you about how she cares for these horses.
4 pm- Late afternoon work shift
5 pm- Freshen up, make dinner.
7 pm - Return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 5:
8 am - Pick up, breakfast and orientation of chores for work shifts and other activities of the day.
10 am – Morning work shift
Noon - Lunch
1 pm - Afternoon trip. Examples of afternoon trips include: visit Homer and Kathleen or another adoption rescue team, go swimming (possibly with the horses) airboat ride ($32), nature walk with the dogs.
5 pm - Get back from the afternoon trip, feed horses, clean pens and make dinner.
7 pm - Return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 6:
8 am - Pick up, breakfast and orientation of chores for work shifts and other activities of the day.
10 am – Half morning work shift
11.30 am – Horse massage
1 pm - Lunch
3 pm - Afternoon work shift
4.30 pm – Stop for BBQ evening - lots of fun!
7 pm - Return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 7:
This day will change according to whether it's your last day and you're leaving, or not. If your project is longer than 1 week, you'll work either 5 or 6 days a week, depending on what's required at the time you're there. You can use your days off to explore the region - remember, you're only 40 minutes away from ORLANDO!!

9 am – Pick up and breakfast. (If this is your day of departure, bring your personal belongings to the Centre.)
10 am - Horse Painting (You'll get a painting to take home with you!)
1 pm - Lunch – evaluation forms
2 pm - Head back to Orlando to catch your flight (again, this day will adapt to what time your flight leaves - or whether you're a longer-term volunteer, in which case, enjoy the day!)