Find out what Oyster workers have said in these reviews of our paid horse work programme in rural Australia:
Sally (UK): 2024-2025
Working with the horses and the livery clients has been incredibly fun and the flexible working hours have meant it’s been really easy to do some exploring in my downtime! The horses are all really sweet and I’ve been able to ride in my free time as well. The local area is beautiful and the beach is only 5 minutes down the road. There are shops close by and amazing beaches all along the peninsulas coast, plus it’s close to Phillip Island so we’ve seen lots of adorable penguins in their natural habitat! My employers have been so incredibly welcoming and you really feel like part of the family working here, I would throughly recommending it to anyone looking for a working holiday with horses. The two dogs on site are also really fun and love to have cuddles and explore the beach with you!
Cara (UK): 2024-2025
I have had an amazing time with Oyster doing the paid horse training and horsemanship course in Australia. I had the best time in Sydney making loads of new friends and creating lots of memories, whilst also getting set up to start working straight away. Travelling to my job was also very easy and I am currently really enjoying my time working at a pre-training thoroughbred yard and learning lots. The project manager Georgie has been super helpful and supportive throughout my whole experience and is always happy to answer any questions big or small about my time in Australia. Would highly recommend this course to anybody thinking of doing it!
Alli (USA): 2023-2024
“Today is my first day off and though I am sore I am so happy! The farm is great and I’m so thankful for everything you helped with to make this such a smooth transition ❤️ I have some pics of Sally and I from our week! Port Stephens was really fun! Sand boarding (and saw some horses galloping on the beach!) ..Sydney was great as well – we had a nice night with our group on Saturday before we ended! 😊 thank you for everything!’
Laura (Germany): 2023 -2024
‘I always wanted to spend some time in Australia and it was my biggest dream to combine it with horse work. The programme helped me to make my dream come true! There was a lot to learn during the training week and the trainers really took their time to explain and show everything to us. We were taught in a small group and all of our questions were answered – and believe me, we had lots of them. 😉 After the training week it was time for the real job – and the preparation week came in really handy for it. It’s hard work and of course you get dirty, but I loved every second of it – the people, the horses, the landscape and the weather! If you love horses and have horse experience, then this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you shouldn’t miss out on!’
Sitske (Netherlands): 2023-2024
‘Amazing Experience! Learned a huge amount in the training week about the way horses are kept and trained in Australia while getting to experience the way they manage a working farm as well. Very kind people and very welcoming! Everything was organised and I got to work at a place where again I learned a huge amount while enjoying the Australian weather and the amazing people!’
Nicola (Canada): 2022-2023
‘ You won’t find anything else like this in Australia. If you’re an international traveller and want a dream year abroad with horses, these are the people to make it happen. From the staff in the office, to the trainers, to the Sydney team – nothing is a problem. I loved learning how Australians do horses, you don’t necessarily expect it to be that different but it’s the small things like using rope halters, stepping down off young green horses instead of jumping, riding in stock saddles correctly and then there is so much we learned from watching mind-blowing breaking and educating clinics. This is something I have paid lots of money for before and we had so many clinics – talk about value for money! I loved it, wish I could have stayed longer at this beautiful homestead – my riding style as changed already. My job at one of the top yearling prep thoroughbred studs in Australia however is just as exciting – we’re off to the Magic Millions sales in January – a once in a lifetime experience! – THANK YOU!!!’
Zoe (UK): 2022-2023
‘Would highly recommend, everything is so well organised and they really look after you. I’m doing a programme in Australia and having an amazing time. Great to talk to the trainers and the employers before we went out as it made it real. The application process was smooth, easy and zoom calls and Whatsapp kept us on track and feeling really prepared. They helped with the visa applications, finding jobs and getting myself set up here for a while – great to have a structured start because it makes it feel less overwhelming. Felt supported by the Sydney team and can always go back if I want a city job or to do more tours with them. The training week was AMAZING…lovely people, I learned so much. I loved the cattle mustering experience, and riding sets was so good and really ‘set’ me up for my job as a polo groom – I’ve never worked with polo horses before and although this wasn’t a problem, i’m pleased i got to make my beginner mistakes here and not when employed!’
Emma (UK): 2022-2023
‘Went with Oyster for the working holiday with horses in Australia. Was good to know about the job set up before coming as felt more settled. In Sydney loved the hostel and the team, so helpful when we had any questions and the guides on the tour were lovely. Had all the support we needed for sims. medicare etc. felt a lot more relaxed after having met a lot of people. So much packed in the horse week, I felt a lot happier heading into a job after this week. Great mix of fun and education. Very relaxed atmosphere, felt confident to ask questions, food and accommodation – amazing. Loved watching the work with breakers, so different to anything I had seen at home. Great but relaxed energy from the trainers, felt like to aided in supporting my own energy and attitude towards horses. Had an amazing time and was looked after so well, truly a five star experience. I was lucky enough to get two jobs, firstly on a very fancy racing stud where I am now, and then i’m off to exercise polo ponies – and I get paid to do it – DREAM’
