Volunteering Opportunities with Bespoke Equestrian Ireland
Immerse yourself in the beauty of this landVolunteering Opportunities with Bespoke Equestrian Ireland
We have had an overwhelming global response to our new volunteer programme, so what’s it all about?
Entering 2026, the Year of the Horse, we welcomed our first group of volunteers, who spent two unforgettable weeks helping to school our young horses. Their time with us was such a success that we’re thrilled to open the gates even wider. We’re now inviting riders of various levels of experience to join us here on the Emerald Isle, where you’ll work hands-on with our “rising stars” team of newer horses, grow your skills, or perhaps get involved in other ways, all whilst immersing yourself in the magic of Irish equestrian life.
About Us
Bespoke Equestrian Ireland and Sheans Horse Farm
We are a family farm on Ireland’s North Coast and offer Ireland’s best equestrian travel itineraries along the renowned Causeway Coastal Route. We are also a riding school and trekking centre (Sheans Horse Farm) where we run lessons 6 days a week and trekking through our farm all year round.
We have a 500 acre farm with 185 horses; this ranges from riding school horses to foals, Irish Sports Horses, Traditional Irish Cobs, Irish Draughts and Connemara types.
We have a constant supply of work all year round including, trekking, lessons, equestrian holidays, guiding, farm work, handling and producing young horses and breaking them. We are a farm full of hustle and bustle and that is the way we love it.
With an adventure around every corner you can be sure to have a fantastic time on our farm. We are 8 miles from the quaint seaside town of Ballycastle which offers a taste of real Irish country life with cosy pubs, restaurants and friendly locals.
As our programmes run from 8:00am to 2:30pm, Monday to Friday, for two weeks, there is ample opportunity to go sightseeing, take part in other activities, and explore Ireland during your stay. After 2:30pm your time is your own, we would encourage you to go sightseeing on the North Coast, visit Belfast and Derry, attend some of Ireland’s renowned Gaelic games by watching a game of hurling in the locality, sample local cuisine and indulge in some of our music and culture.
There is a list of bus and train schedules available, alongside low cost car hire, and a myriad of taxi firms with approximate costs available upon request.
Opportunities Available
Due to the success of our current Winter Schooling Programme, which focuses on putting mileage on young horses, and the overwhelming global response to our latest advert, we have set about creating a range of volunteer programmes to cover other aspects of our business and offer opportunities to as many volunteers as possible. We have the capacity to accept up to 10 volunteers at a time for two week slots.
After reviewing an almost overwhelming number of candidates, and seeing first hand the calibre of riders who were offering to join us, we decided that a draw was the fairest way to select our volunteers, as distinguishing between you all was an impossibility. If we had availability for you all, we’d have gladly offered out spaces to each and every one of you.
We are limited by availability of free accommodation. Those requiring free accommodation will be taking part in our Schooling and Horse Farm Experience Programme, details of which can be found below.
For those willing to cover their own accommodation costs, we still have the capacity to accept an additional 6 riders to join us for each two week window.
To facilitate this we have sourced low cost accommodation in a modern farmhouse just 1.5 miles from our family farm. The lodgings are within a 6 bedroom private house which will only be used by our volunteers, with 3 bathrooms. If you wish to join us, and the free accommodation is full, you can avail of this accommodation and ride a horse to and from our farm each day. This option offers country comfort, just a stone’s throw away from our bustling farm.
For those willing to pay for their accommodation there are two programmes, the Ride to Work Programmes, at the moment, depending on availability. You can see details of these below.
Ride to Work Programmes
As you’ll be staying in a nearby farmhouse, you’ll be mirroring the life of the inhabitants of ancient Ireland, when horses were our primary mode of travel. Each day, you may be saddling up your horse at your accommodation and riding to work, making the journey to our farm in the most traditional way possible. You’ll become intimately familiar with your mount in this truly unique, point to point working holiday. After finishing your day, experiencing the fullness of life on a working horse farm, you’ll ride back to your lodgings, where you, and your steed, are ready to rest and relax for the rest of the day.
Schooling Programme
Week 1
After a welcome at the farm, and a stable tour it will be time to meet the team of horses that we’ll be working with for the week. We’ll be spending 5 days handling and riding our young horses that have already been broken to give them more mileage and help solidify the skillset they’ve already learned to ensure that they are ready for younger, or less experienced riders when the time comes.
We’ll be riding in the wilderness of the North Antrim Hills with its heather clad slopes, looking down on to green pasture away below with panoramic views over the North Coast and 5 counties of Ireland. From the summits, we’ll encounter vista views spanning over 60 miles.
We will be riding past the old peat banks that were once the traditional source of fuel in Ireland for generations, and can stop, tie up the horses, and do some peat cutting with the old traditional peat spades.
We’ll spend time on the winding laneways of our farm to road proof the horses, ensuring that they can safely interact with vehicles in a controlled environment before journeying through some of our quiet country roads.
Each day will culminate with 1 hour spent handling, desensitising and preparing young horses for breaking.
Week 2: Monday – Thursday
This week we’ll be leaving our farm and testing the horses on a variety of different terrains, showcasing the diverse range of landscapes that Ireland has to offer. Our time will mainly be spent at the coastal and forest locations used for our equestrian holidays, ensuring that our horses are prepared for a range of different environments. We’ll be cantering across the scintillating white sands of our expansive beaches, exploring meandering coastal trails, crossing rivers and streams, and testing their footing on ancient laneways, through the streets of traditional fishing villages and under the evergreen canopies of our woodlands. Some of the potential riding locations are outlined below.
Week 2: Friday
It’s time to say goodbye to your mounts as the schooling adventure will finish off by trying out some of the horses who will be involved in next week’s programme. You’ll get to know your new companions and begin preparing them for their own upcoming adventures.
Please see below a video posted by one of our Volunteers describing her experience.
Schooling and Horse Farm Experience Programme
(Includes volunteers on the free accommodation programme)
This is a more varied itinerary, covering the full spectrum of everything involved in Irish equestrian life, and offers a true insight into the Irish equine world.
Week 1
After a welcome at the farm, and a stable tour it will be time to meet the team of horses that we’ll be working with for the week. We’ll be spending 5 days handling and riding our young horses that have already been broken to give them more mileage and help solidify the skillset they’ve already learned to ensure that they are ready for younger, or less experienced riders when the time comes.
We’ll be riding in the wilderness of the North Antrim Hills with its heather clad slopes, looking down on to green pasture away below with panoramic views over the North Coast and 5 counties of Ireland. From the summits, we’ll encounter vista views spanning over 60 miles.
We will be riding past the old peat banks that were once the traditional source of fuel in Ireland for generations, and can stop, tie up the horses, and do some peat cutting with the old traditional peat spades.
We’ll spend time on the winding laneways of our farm to road proof the horses, ensuring that they can safely interact with vehicles in a controlled environment before journeying through some of our quiet country roads.
Each day will culminate with 1 hour spent handling, desensitising and preparing young horses for breaking.
Week 2: Monday – Thursday
This programme involves plenty of time spent working with the young stock, riding the schooling horses, helping out at the centre with trekking, and everything else that truly lies at the heart of a traditional horse farm. The care of horses on a farm like ours involves a multitude of diverse tasks, and this programme is designed to give you a taste of what life on a farm like ours really involves.
Once your Ride to Work programme is finished for the day, you’ll have the freedom to take out any of our other horses for some pleasure riding. You’ll be trekking and hacking on the farm, getting the opportunity to interact with our regular riding school team, and seeing the horses who’ve been riding with us for years. In this way, you’ll see the entire process of building young, immature horses into the well organised riding team used in our riding holidays.
One day after work you’ll have the opportunity to avail of our cross country course, and will also spend a day on the coast riding at one of the locations used in our equestrian holidays, and another day riding to, and in, one of our beautiful local forests.
Some of the potential riding locations are outlined below.
Potential Ride Locations
You may be spending the morning riding in the hills, forest and coastal path around Ballycastle. This tranquil town is chosen as the base for our riding guests for a reason, it boasts some of the best views on the North Coast. Overlooking the picturesque Rathlin Island, you’ll see this remote Island, which is visible from the shores of Ballycastle, from an entirely new perspective. You’ll also catch views of the famous “Ballycastle Pebble Beach” and the edge of the beautiful Glens of Antrim, an area of outstanding natural beauty that truly evokes the quintessential greenery that earned Ireland the title of the Emerald Isle.
After finally getting an opportunity to witness the beauty of Ballycastle from the vantage of horseback we will be traversing the countryside hills and dramatic coastline towards our final destination, Carnmoon Farm. A hidden gem, invisible from both Ballycastle and the surrounding roads, Carnmoon boasts one of the best panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea that Ireland has to offer. Making our way through the well grazed meadows of this traditional sheep and cattle farm, we’ll finally reach our final destination, overlooking Kinbane Castle. The ruins of this ancient stronghold of the Scots-Irish clan, The McDonnell’s, were once a seat of power for the acclaimed chieftain, Sorley Boy McDonnell. From these cliffs, he helplessly looked on whilst Francis Drake, of Spanish Armada fame, assailed Rathlin, bringing ruin to the Island’s once peaceful shores.
Perched upon a narrow promontory between Ballycastle and Ballintoy, overlooking the castle, will be an incredible, dramatic backdrop for your ride.
You may be transported to the hills surrounding the iconic Downhill beach where your first glimpse of Downhill beach offers panoramic views of the ocean and landscape where miles of open sand, waterfalls and iconic views await. Enroute, we will pass the ancient trees of Mussendun before the journey continues past the ruins of Downhill House which was Frederick Augustus Hervey, Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol’s, 18th century home.
Marvel at the architecture and expanse of the flamboyant Georgian ruins before your gaze is taken by the lonely Mussenden Temple, regally perched 120-feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Inspired by the Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Rome, Mussenden Temple was used as a summer library for Frederick Augustus Hervey, Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol.
It is time to meet your trusty stead again at the entrance to the beach. Downhill beach is best known for its magnificent mountain backdrop, cliff scenery and views across to Donegal. As we enter the beach, we can stop at the foot of the cliff where Mussendun Temple is located for an ideal picture opportunity before taking a swift canter or gallop across miles of flat, open beach crossing the river on to Benone Strand, with miles of more sand beach to enjoy. As we pull up at the end of the beach, we stretch our legs, stop at the washrooms and give the horses a rest before riding back across the golden sands, through sand dunes, stopping to view the waterfalls cascading of the majestic cliffs of Binevanagh mountain and enjoying some time in the spray of the Atlantic.
Our ride finishes back at Downhill, where we load the horses after an exhilarating ride.
You may ride at the Whiterocks beach, so named because of the white chalk cliffs and caverns set back from the water’s edge. The west end of the strand is adjacent to the seaside town of Portrush and backs on to one of the top grass links golf courses in the world, the famous Royal Portrush, host to the British Open as part of the 2019 and 2025 Masters Competition. White Rocks beach also looks out over the Skerries (a small group of islands off the coast of Portrush) and the iconic Dunluce Castle, Donegal and the Western Isles of Scotland.
Enjoy some beautiful trots, canters and time in the sea in the most beautiful of surroundings. After conquering the beach, it is time to storm the 13th Century Castle ruins at Dunluce. Ride along the epic coast line leading us to Dunluce Castle before optionally taking a tour of the castle, learning some of its intriguing history (especially the bit about the kitchen & staff plunging into the sea during a storm in 1639).
After dismounting you will be able to visit Northern Ireland’s most famous UNESCO world heritage site, The Giant’s Causeway. This unique world heritage site is home to famous hexagonal rock formations, and surrounded by myths and legends of the ancient Irish Giant, Fionn Mac Comhail. Take advantage of the opportunity to wander the Causeway at your leisure, taking in the beauty of the area which attracts almost 1 million visitors each year.
You may travel 10 miles to the coastal village of Ballintoy. Here, we will mount and follow the old off road track with splendid views of the coast, to the breathtaking white sand beach of Whitepark Bay, a 3-mile long beach on the famous Causeway Coastal Route. Whitepark Bay is a beautiful stretch of pristine beach located on Co. Antrim’s north coast near the picturesque village of Ballintoy. With a beach so pure it shines for miles (on even the cloudiest of days) it’s the perfect backdrop for a refreshing trot, canter or gallop!
We’ll take our time playing on the beach & in the ocean before cantering over the smooth sands! If we’re lucky the famous “Sunbathing Cattle” will be on the beach basking in the sun’s warmth.
You will spend your time romping and capering along the 3 mile stretch of pristine, resplendent white sand below the backdrop of the rugged surrounding cliff faces which were once home to some of the earliest human settlers in Ireland. Savour the taste of the tantalising sea air, feel the blustering and energising wind on your face and the radiant rays of the Irish sunshine on your back on this invigorating ride.
As we ride back towards our starting point, we will be looking across to the cliffs surrounding one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, the Carrick-a-Rede Ropebridge. From here we will take in the vista of this spectacular coastline hugging the wild Atlantic Ocean, looking out over the sea to Rathlin Island, the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and the Western Isles of Scotland, before finally stopping and saying farewell to the horses and team after experiencing a taste of the Causeway Coast from a whole new perspective. We might do some road riding through the tranquil village of Ballintoy to help solidify the horses’ confidence for roadwork.
You may explore a unique landscape on the edge of the Glens of Antrim, the beautiful location that inspired the song “Danny Boy” before we head onwards towards the coast. We’ll be exploring meandering trails through the beautiful countryside, and through the resplendent Ballypatrick Forest, a woodland renowned for being home to a wide variety of local wildlife. If we are lucky, we might spot some of the elusive Red Deer which make the forest their home. They, and their fawns, are known to venture out of the safety of the treelines and we may catch a glimpse of these cautious creatures as they wander the area. We are likely to see some birds of prey circling above us, as they patrol the skies looking for their next meal.
Known for its beautiful walking trails, Ballypatrick Forest is a haven for locals who wish to connect with nature and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. We’ll be riding our horses through some of the many winding laneways of the woods and delving deep into the heart of the forest itself.
All Volunteers will be on standby one day per week to be available to help with the trekking in the yard if required, this will be on a pre-arranged rota, if not required that day you will stay with the riding volunteers on the normal programme. We may not know if the standby group is required until the need arises so they will continue with the other riders until they are needed. If we know the day before that they are needed you will not be needed until approximately 10:30am. You can start working with the horses in the morning or not as you want to. For those on the Ride to Work programme if trekking clashes with your day on the coast or forest ride you will get to do it on another day.
Schooling Programme Sample Itinerary
Week 1: Day 1
08:00-10:00
– Induction and training
10:00-12:00
– Rider assessment on seasoned horses.
– Select a horse for schooling
– Hack out on the mountain trails
12:00-12:45
– Lunch
12:45 – 13:45
– Ride in the arena, schooling poles and circles
-Ground work introducing to vehicles
– Detack, put horses away.
13:45 – 14:30
– Take a young horse and handle them
– Clear up around stables
Week 1: Days 2-4
08:00- 09:30
– Bring in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears
– Start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work off voice commands
– Tack up to ride.
09 30 – 11 30
– 15 minutes in arena schooling with pole work and shapes
– Out the trails to learn to climb up and down banks, transitions, riding in water and streams.
– Standing up off their backs and general additional movements in the saddle.
11:30 – 12:15
– Lunch
12:15 – 13:30
– Ride 15 minutes in arena and then road-proofing with tractor, quad and lorry
– Detacking, grooming, desensitising and lifting feet, return horses to yard.
13:30pm – 14:30
– Take a young horse, put on head collar, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, teach to back up and lift feet.
Week 1: Day 5
08:00 – 09:00
– Take a young horse, put on head collar, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, teach to back up and lift feet.
09:00 – 09:30
– Tack up
09:30-14:00
– Go exploring, riding and sightseeing to the local forest
– Return to centre and detack
Week 2: Day 1
07:30 – 08:30
-Take in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, tacking up and loading the trailer.
08:30-14:30
– Off to spend the day riding at Downhill Beach, ride to Mussendun Temple and at Downhill forest. Return home, detack, wash backs and put horses away.
Spend 30 minutes handling a young horse.
Week 2: Day 2
07:30 – 08:30
-Take in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, tacking up and loading the trailer
08:30-14:30
– Travel to Whiterocks Beach Portrush to ride and then ride to Dunluce Castle
-Returning to trailer before returning home to detack, wash backs and put horses away
– Spend 30 minutes handling a young horse
Week 2: Day 3
07:30 – 08:30
-Take in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, tacking up and loading the trailer
08:30-14:30
– Load up and ride on Whitepark Bay beach before riding to Ballintoy village
– Return home to detack, wash backs and put horses away
– Spend 30 minutes handling a young horse
Week 2: Day 4
07:30 – 08:30
-Take in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, tacking up and loading the trailer
08:30-14:30
– Load up and head out to ride at a local forest before returning home to detack, wash backs and put horses away
– Spend 30 minutes handling a young horse
Week 2: Day 5
07:30 – 08:30
-Take in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, tacking up and loading the trailer
08:30-14:30
– Final hack on the farm then ride out the team of horses starting the following weeks schooling programme.
Starting times may change for Week 2 dependent on tides and transport availability.
Schooling and Horse Farm Experience Sample Itinerary
Week 1: Day 1
08:00-10:00
– Induction and training
10:00-12:00
– Rider assessment on seasoned horses.
– Select a horse for schooling
– Hack out on the mountain trails
12:00-12:45
– Lunch
12:45 – 13:45
– Ride in the arena, schooling poles and circles
-Ground work introducing to vehicles
– Detack, put horses away.
13-45 – 14-30
– Take a young horse and handle them
– Clear up around stables
Week 1: Days 2-4
08:00- 09:30
– Bring in horses, put on head collars, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears
– Start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work off voice commands
– Tack up to ride.
09 30 – 11 30
– 15 minutes in arena schooling with pole work and shapes
– Out the trails to learn to climb up and down banks, transitions, riding in water and streams.
– Standing up off their backs and general additional movements in the saddle.
11:30 – 12:15
– Lunch
12:15 – 13:30
– Ride 15 minutes in arena and then road-proofing with tractor, quad and lorry
– Detacking, grooming, desensitising and lifting feet, return horses to yard.
13:30pm – 14:30
– Take a young horse, put on head collar, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, teach to back up and lift feet.
Week 1: Day 5
08:00 – 09:00
– Take a young horse, put on head collar, start to desensitise using meal, rubbing body, head and ears start to get used to waving and quick actions, spook proofing, teaching to work of voice commands, teach to back up and lift feet.
09:00 – 09:30
– Tack up
09:30-14:00
– Go exploring, riding and sightseeing to the local forest
– Return to centre and detack
Week 2
08:00-14:30
– This programme is focused on the full spectrum of activities on a working horse farm, and the schedule for your second week will reflect just that. The needs of our horses are myriad, and no two weeks are ever the same.
– We may need to teach young horses the fundamentals, reinforce old lessons for members of the team who have been inactive, attend to the shoeing and grooming needs of the herd, or set out on some treks or hacks through the rolling green hills of the North Antrim Plateau.
– The focus for this week will therefore be dependent on the current needs of the herd, providing a dynamic and varied taste of Irish farm life.
How To Apply
Fill out the form below.
If you are successful, our team will be in touch within 30 days.
If we cannot accommodate you in 2026 we will reach out to you at the end of the year to see which dates may suit you in 2027.
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