“Farm swap” with anyone internationally?

[PsyPsy]

Setting all the liability/care/trust concerns aside momentarily, hear me out on this…I’d love to find an international (or heck, maybe start small and stay in the US) horse person who would be interested in a “home/farm swap” with me (think, the film “The Holiday,” but add horses )

I live in a kind-of-desirable location for cold weather folks: southeastern Florida, 20 minutes from the beach, on approximately 5 acres with 3 horses. We love to travel internationally and have found this reasonably simple to do after securing a trustworthy live-in farmsitter. We’ve discussed more and more about wanting to immerse ourselves in local culture, and often wondered aloud if another “horsey person” anywhere in the world, who could provide proper care while we’re away (and vice versa). Our horses are on 24/7 turnout and require very little in the way of “hands on” daily care, but of course they need to be monitored for changes and injuries, something you only trust a fellow equestrian with. No riding would be allowed. I’d love to spend quality time with international horses (Icelandic horses, anyone?!) and learn their methods, too.

Has anyone ever done something like this?? If not internationally, domestically? Maybe I’m a nut and you can say that too, but I tend to be very open-minded and would love to at least consider the possibility with someone after building a lengthy rapport…like a pen pal!

[2DogsFarm]

You’re a

I’d be too worried about whoever was on my farm, caring for my animals - 3 horses, 2 housecats, 5 chickens & 6 goldtrout (25¢ feeders now 6-8" long in a backyard stock tank) to relax & enjoy theirs
No matter how great they sounded on paper/email/text/phone.
& How do you police that No Riding?

OTOH, I think I could enjoy finding an immersive vacation - think Working Dude Ranch, European riding/training holiday, etc - & hiring my usual farmsitter.
I’ve done a 10-day trip to China (no horses except visits to barns) & a Spanish 4-day riding holiday.

[clanter]

For a foreigner would a temporary worker visa be needed?

[4horses]

I think it’s better to just find someone you trust locally to farm sit. Unless you find someone on this forum you think is trustworthy.

[Willesdon]

It sounds like a good idea but … Personally, despite decades of horse knowledge, I would not feel happy looking after someone else’s horses in a tropical environment because I only know temperate climate care. I wouldn’t be able to recognise a Floridian biting insect until it walked up and bit me.

[candyappy]

You are braver than I will ever be for even considering it. You might be nuts…

I have a hard time entrusting my animals to someone I trust, not to mention giving them access to my house and all.

[Xanthoria]

TrustedHousesitters.com does home stays where you specify the types of animals you’ll care for, or need cared for, depending on the post you make. It’s international.

[Weezer]

I love the idea, but I agree that I might be a bit hesitant to care for horses in a climate I am unfamiliar with. I would have no idea about dangerous spiders, snakes, etc. But a crash course from the owner might help.

I think if I were interested in doing something like this, I might want to do a reference check with the vet and farrier of the horses I’d be caring for. My horses are pretty low maintenance so I mostly want someone who can pick up on early signs of colic, and then know what to do about it.

[PsyPsy]

Thanks all! I do have a very trusted farm sitter, but this idea was more in hopes of offsetting lodging by trading homes with another. No payment would be exchanged for work performed, and no visa necessary for a 2-week-or-so vacation length.

But you’ve all made excellent points to consider! Sounds like I’m the lone wolf here If I ever give it a go, I’ll be sure to report back!