NINOVAN – Awareness through Education

Ninovan started with one abandoned mare and has grown into a place of rescue, education, and daily care for a small herd of horses on Faial Island (Azores).

At the moment, most of the daily work is still carried by me.

If Ninovan is meant to grow and last, that needs to change.

We have wonderful volunteers, but I am looking for someone who can take on real responsibility — so I can focus on building the future of this place.

The day usually starts at 9:00 — often earlier.

In the morning, I begin with feeding, checking water, walking the fence, and moving through the herd — seeing who is where, how they are moving, and if anything feels off.

In the winter months, hay needs to be put out for the herd twice a day. We also have two older horses who no longer eat hay and are fed three times daily, while the rest of the herd is fed twice — and only once during the summer months.

Some days are routine. Most are not.

Four days a week, I work alongside volunteers. They come at 9:00 and usually stay until around 11:30, helping with mucking the fields and whatever needs to be done that day.

The work with volunteers is invaluable. They are an essential part of Ninovan, and over time a small, supportive community has grown around this place.

You would be stepping into that community — not just the work, but the people who care about it.

Fences need fixing, hay needs to be moved — something always needs attention. And in between, there is simply time spent with the horses: watching, learning, being present.

No two days are the same, but the responsibility is always there.

I am looking for one person (or a strong couple who work as one unit) who can be present daily and take responsibility for care:

• Feeding

• Water management

• Basic maintenance (fences, stables, small repairs)

• Being present and building a relationship with the herd

• Grooming and assisting when needed (farrier, etc.)

This is not about “helping out,” but about becoming a reliable, consistent presence alongside me.

For the right person, this role can grow into something much bigger over time.

Experience with horses is essential.

We work with rescues, and they are handled differently. The horses live freely as a herd, and understanding their behavior is key.

You should:

• Be comfortable around horses

• Be able to read their behavior

• Stay calm in more complex situations

• Have real, hands-on experience (not just riding lessons)

The weather in the Azores — especially in the winter months — is unpredictable and can be intense.

At Ninovan, we are often dealing with strong winds and storms that have damaged fences, gates, and even structures. Things break, things move, and they need to be fixed — often immediately.

It can be tough.

In the summer, the challenges are different. The heat can be intense, and the horses are often covered in forest flies (crab flies), which require constant attention and care.

There are also times when we leave Ninovan to check on horses around the island — for example, bringing water to animals that are tied up without access.

We also receive calls about horses that may be neglected or mistreated. Responding to these situations can be emotionally challenging. It requires staying calm, observing carefully, and focusing on what will actually help the animal.

This work is not always comfortable. It is physical, sometimes unpredictable, and requires someone who can stay grounded and keep going.

• You have solid, practical experience with animals (especially horses)

• You are physically capable and used to working outdoors

• You can work independently and take responsibility

• You are looking for meaning and a different way of living

• You don’t need comfort, structure, or a typical job setup

• You can commit for a longer period (a few months to start, with the option to continue)

• You are someone who values quiet, responsibility, and presence

This role may suit someone at a point in their life where they are looking for responsibility, purpose, and a more grounded, hands-on way of living.

• Short-term volunteers

• People who want to “try it out”

• People unsure around animals

• Anyone looking for fixed hours or a typical job

At this stage, I cannot offer salary or housing.

This won’t suit everyone.

But for the right person, the experience and responsibility can be deeply valuable.

What I can offer:

• Real responsibility

• Hands-on experience

• A place to learn and grow

• Being part of something meaningful from the inside

For the right person, there is the possibility to grow into a much larger role over time.

I recently met someone who showed me exactly what is possible — grounded, capable, and completely at ease taking responsibility with animals.

That kind of person exists.

So I am putting this out there.

Tell me about your experience with horses, your current situation, and why this speaks to you.

I would be happy to share more details with you.

No formal applications. Just real people.

— Kim

Ninovan – Awareness through Education