The Heart of Ninovan
Ninovan is run entirely by volunteers. People from Faial and from around the world come together here with one shared goal: improving the lives of horses.
Caring for rescued horses is a daily responsibility. Feeding, cleaning, preparing hay, and spending time with the animals are essential tasks that happen every single day.
Without volunteers, Ninovan simply could not exist.
a morning at ninovan
Our volunteer shifts usually begin at 9:00 in the morning and last a few hours.
During this time volunteers help with:
• preparing and distributing the horses’ daily feed
• refilling hay stations
• cleaning and maintaining the stable areas
• checking water and general care of the herd
• spending time with the horses and learning how they communicate
No previous horse experience is required. What matters most is curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn.
Learning from the Horses
Some volunteers meet a horse up close for the first time at Ninovan.
Horses are sensitive and intelligent animals, and spending time with them teaches patience, awareness, and respect.
Working with the herd often becomes more than volunteering — it becomes a meaningful connection with the animals, the island, and the people who care for them.
Here is what Monika has to say about being a volunteer
Monika
Why did you decide to start volunteering at Ninovan?
“I was introduced to Ninovan by a friend of mine during a Ninovan’s fundraising event. It was just right after my arrival in Faial. I heard about Kim’s story, I thought what she was doing was beautiful and so I decided that volunteering my time for Ninovan’s cause was very worthy.
Being a volunteer at Ninovan is good for EVERYTHING - both for my body and my brain! My volunteering at Ninovan was a great way to combine something very useful for me, such as being in the outdoor, with something very useful for Ninovan too!
From being a volunteer, after 1 year, I became the accountant of Ninovan, which led to my next step the following year: becoming part of Ninovan’s board! It has already been four years since I joined the Ninovan family!”
What did being a volunteer at Ninovan bring you?
“I just love the good feeling that comes with knowing that you are doing something useful! I like what I do here a lot and I enjoy being surrounded by the horses and the cats and dogs that live at Ninovan too - spending time at Ninovan is such a good feeling!
It is rewarding to know that I am doing something for these horses that finally found a happy place to stay and people who are taking good care of them!
Ninovan is an organization run by good hearted people who love animals and believe in change through providing a positive example. I really like how local people are involved and how this collaboration is oriented to raise awareness about horses and the way they are treated on the island!”