About Us
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce had a dream—the dream that all nations could live in peace with one another.
Joseph’s Dream Stud is more than just a breeding stud. We are training both people and horses, but most importantly, we let horses teach people: how to listen... listen to nature, listen to silence, and listen to the ancient rhythms of the Earth.
The healing power that comes from connecting with the souls of these incredible creatures allows us to open up and learn the language needed to make Joseph’s dream a reality in this world—between people, between people and animals, and between people and the planet.
Joseph's Dream Stud is situated at Sandwerf Retreat in Namibia, surrounded by one of the country's most beautiful landscapes. A riverbed runs through the property, shaded by camel-thorn trees that are hundreds of years old.
The founders of Joseph's Dream Stud & Training Center are Annika Funke-Barnard and Leon Barnard. Annika is the breeder, manager, and photographer of the Joseph's Dream horses. Her husband, Leon, is the architect and designer of Sandwerf Farm and its beautiful holistic setting.
Program at a glance
Why choose us?
You will be involved in the daily care of more than 40 academy and stud horses, as well as our miniature horses and alpacas. You may also have the opportunity to work with rescued equines. Of course, you will have time to recharge, relax, enjoy guided safari rides, get creative, and simply take in the beauty of Namibia’s stunning landscapes, free-roaming wildlife, and our wonderful horse family.
Our Equine Volunteer Program is an opportunity for anyone with a limited budget and a willingness to help. Volunteers can learn from our JD Academy while assisting with the daily care and management of our equines.
During your stay with us, you will develop new skills, make new friends, and work alongside a fantastic team of people. A key part of our program is our friendly and talented horse handlers from the ancient San community of Namibia.
Learn how to understand and communicate with horses through trust and mutual respect using methods such as Liberty training, trust exercises, clicker training, bodywork, and more, allowing you to build a truly force-free connection.
Requirements
Experience with horses (not required), people skills, experience with children, team spirit, kindness, and a good heart ❤
If you are new to working with horses and would like to learn, all you need to apply is a love for animals!
Ability to understand and communicate in English.
Volunteer experience
Your daily chores always start with helping the JD grooms walk the horses out and end in the afternoon with walking them back in again. Around the training lessons and demonstrations at the academy, daily chores are rotating tasks during the weekdays and include, for example: holistic muscle training for horses, paddock cleaning, grooming horses, taking horses for walks, cleaning tack, cleaning water troughs, basic horse medical care, picking out hooves, halter training, keeping horses fit on outrides, assisting with veterinary tasks, feeding, and other care activities.
On Friday afternoons, every volunteer assists with our equine-assisted activities and creative classes for children from the nearby hostel at JD. If you are interested, you may also volunteer to assist on other weekdays in the afternoons at the hostel itself (this is optional).
Working/Activity hours: Your helping hand will be required from Monday to Friday, from 08:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00.
€959 Euro per week
You will be hosted either in our JD Academy & Volunteer House, located at the best viewpoint on the farm and overlooking the JD paddocks, JD stables, and wildlife waterhole, or in one of our freestanding lodge chalets (extra charges apply) in our organic green village, with miniature horses and free-roaming lechwe antelopes as your direct neighbors.
(Please inquire in advance if you would prefer to stay in one of our chalets or in the Volunteer House while joining our volunteer program.)
All accommodation consists of private rooms with king-size beds, each with a private toilet and shower. Our program is dynamic and based on daily communication, allowing for personalized schedules tailored to your unique interests, talents, and preferences.
Our on-site restaurant not only provides three delicious meals daily but can also cater to vegetarian, vegan, and food intolerance requirements.
You will have time to read and relax among the therapy alpacas and bunnies, practice your newly acquired horsemanship skills (subject to trainer approval), or develop your art or photography skills in the amazing Namibian light. You can also book our shuttle to visit the capital, Windhoek, for a day of sightseeing and souvenir shopping, or for a weekend trip.
As a volunteer, you may also book our luxury two-night safari camp in the bush, where you will sleep near your horse and may see giraffes, zebras, and antelopes from horseback during the day. Please note that this is an optional extra activity and additional charges apply.
During your stay, there will be opportunities to book a day safari at the nearby GocheGanas Game Reserve, or participate in two-night camping excursions to Etosha, the Namibian coast, or the Namib Desert (minimum of three participants required). You can also book spa treatments at our Sandwerf Retreat in-house spa, or therapeutic carpet weaving sessions with our skilled local Sandwerf weavers.
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