Boerderij op IJburg

What Boerderij op IJburg does

Boerderij op IJburg is a community children's farm and care facility operated by Stichting Kyra Foundation, a Dutch ANBI-status non-profit foundation (KvK 63077973, RSIN 855082318) based at Overdiemerweg 36A in Diemen, Netherlands. Founded in 2014 as Stichting Boerderij op IJburg on Amsterdam's IJburg island and relocated to its current Diemen site in September 2017 after the 2017 merger of Stichting Boerderij op IJburg and Kyra Foundation, the organization delivers Natural Horsemanship riding lessons, pony camps, day care (dagbesteding) for children and adults with disabilities, animal-assisted interventions, and after-school care activities. It serves children from age 4 and families in the IJburg and Diemen neighbourhoods, with explicit prioritisation of low-income children (via Amsterdam Stadspas, Jeugdfonds Sport, Stichting Sina, and Diemen 'Alle kinderen doen mee') and people with special needs.

The core service portfolio is delivered from a single farm location and shares animals, infrastructure, and staff across all programmes. Natural Horsemanship methodology is the unifying technical approach: all horses are ridden bitless, kept barefoot without iron horseshoes, housed in groups rather than box stalls, and trained with positive-reinforcement clicker techniques. The product stack spans Ponymaatjes (entry-level €65/month, age 4+), Kanjer Lessen (small-group special-needs riding, €69.95/month, max 4 children), BRONS START riding lessons (€94.90/month, max 8 riders, ground work plus riding progression), Natural Horsemanship ground work lessons (€45/month for teens and adults), holiday camps (Ponykamp, Ruiterkamp, Tienerkamp at €150-€350), Dagbesteding, Animal Intervention Begeleiding, Coaching met Paarden, BSO visit/workshop programmes (€1/child), and ancillary services such as pony leasing and manure pickup. The farm is fully wheelchair-accessible with mounting aids.

The business model combines subscription lesson revenue (monthly recurring, €45–€94.90 per participant), one-time camp fees, B2B contracts with after-school care organisations (notably Unikidz BSO under a multi-year minimum-€10,000-per-year contract), municipal social-programme referrals that subsidise participation for low-income children, ANBI-channel tax-deductible donations, occasional grants (e.g., Municipality of Amsterdam Voedselbos subsidy), nominal manure sales, and participation in the Grote Clubactie lottery. Distribution is direct-to-consumer from a single site, supplemented by municipality and NGO referral channels; bookings are handled via email and the third-party Manegeplan portal. The organization holds five sector-relevant credentials — ANBI, Manege & Ruiterbond quality mark, GD Zöonose keurmerk, SBB erkend stagebedrijf, and 'In veilige handen' child-safety protocol — and is currently recruiting both operational staff (instructors, operations manager) and board members (Chair, Treasurer) to support ongoing professionalization.

Name

Boerderij op IJburg

Legal name

Stichting Kyra Foundation

Website

https://boerderijopijburg.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Boerderij op IJburg, operated by Stichting Kyra Foundation, is a Diemen-based community farm and care facility offering Natural Horsemanship riding lessons, pony camps, day care for people with disabilities, and BSO programmes to children and families in Amsterdam IJburg and Diemen.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Services & Care Farm

NAICS

Horses and Other Equine Production (112920), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Livestock & Farm Animal Veterinary Services (AFAEANAB)

Keywords

• Animal-assisted interventions
• Equestrian education services
• Community care farm
• Pony riding lessons
• Nature education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Diemen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Riding Lessons and Camps: Horse riding lessons and pony camps form the primary revenue source, making the organization financially independent from funds or subsidies.
2. Daycare and Daybesteding: Daycare services for children and adults with disabilities, providing daybesteding (day activities) as a care service.
3. BSO and Workshop Services: After-school care organizations and childcare facilities pay for visits (€1/child) and workshops. Unikidz BSO has a multi-year contract for minimum €10,000/year in activities.
4. Manure Sales: Manure from ponies is sold to visitors for use in gardens or compost. Donations appreciated but not required.
5. Grote Clubactie: Annual participation in the Grote Clubactie lottery for sports clubs.
6. Donations and Grants: ANBI status allows tax-deductible donations. Received subsidies from Municipality of Amsterdam for Voedselbos (food forest) development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Boerderij op IJburg is a Dutch community farm and care farm (zorgboerderij) in Diemen that delivers Natural Horsemanship-based pony riding lessons, pony camps, and animal-assisted interventions for children, families, and individuals with special needs. Core services include Ponymaatjes introductory courses, Kanjer small-group lessons for children with support needs, holiday pony camps (Ponykamp, Ruiterkamp, Tienerkamp), Dagbesteding day care, animal-assisted interventions, and after-school care (BSO) programming delivered on-site at the farm and through partnerships with Unikidz and Amsterdam/Diemen municipalities.

Product overview

Boerderij op IJburg is a community farm and care facility operating under the Kyra Foundation that offers a unified portfolio of animal-assisted and equestrian services. The core offerings center on Natural Horsemanship riding lessons (Ponymaatjes, Rijlessen BRONS START, Kanjer Lessen) and holiday pony camps, supplemented by care/day care activities (Dagbesteding, Animal Intervention, Coaching met Paarden), and educational programs (Natuurclub, BSO Activiteiten). The organization operates as a single integrated service rather than a platform-with-modules architecture, where all activities share the farm's animals, facilities, and staff expertise. Key differentiators include bitless riding practices, animal welfare focus, and accessibility for children with special needs and those from low-income families through Stadspas and Jeugdfonds Sport partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Horsemanship Riding Lessons (BRONS START) Riding lessons taught using Natural Horsemanship principles with bitless bridles, small groups (max 8), and an emphasis on balance and animal-friendly riding style. Combines groundwork and riding, progressing from shared pony to individual riding; available for children and adults.
• Natural Horsemanship Groundwork Lessons Natural Horsemanship groundwork lessons teaching horse agility, liberty training, and long-line work; available separately from riding lessons for teenagers and adults.
• Ponymaatjes Course Introductory horse program for young children (around age 4–6) covering horse behavior, care, grooming, and basic skills through voltige (gymnastics on horseback), ground work, and agility. Serves as a prerequisite pathway to riding lessons.
• Kanjer Lessons Specialized small-group riding lessons (maximum 4 children) for children with support needs, taught in a calm environment to support relaxation and social skills development.
• Pony Camps (Ponykamp, Ruiterkamp, Tienerkamp) Holiday day camps combining pony activities (tricks on horseback, agility, riding, games) with non-pony activities and animal care. Three programs offered: Ponykamp (no experience, age 6+), Ruiterkamp (experienced riders, age 9+), and Tienerkamp (age 11+).
• Ponymaatjes Instuif (Drop-in Sessions) Sunday afternoon drop-in sessions where children can meet ponies, learn basic care, and experience riding without prior registration.
• Dagbesteding (Day Care) Day care and structured daytime activities for (young) adults and children with disabilities or special needs, including animal care, vegetable garden maintenance, and location upkeep in small groups with individual guidance available.
• Animal-Assisted Intervention (Animal Intervention Begeleiding) Animal-assisted interventions facilitated by a social pedagogical helper, providing individual support for children, youth, or adults with various care questions.
• Coaching met Paarden (Horse-Assisted Coaching) Horse-assisted coaching services in which individuals develop personal skills through structured interaction with horses.
• Adapted Riding and Nature Lessons (Care) Adapted group riding and nature lessons with programs tailored to the abilities of participants with support needs, with the option of integrating children with special needs into regular lessons.
• BSO Activities (After-School Care Programming) Out-of-school care programming for BSO organizations and childcare centers, including farm visits, holiday workshops, weekly pony lessons (age 4+), weekly nature club lessons (age 2+), and childcare workshops.
• Nature and Environmental Education Nature and environmental education activities including nature club lessons, wildlife identification, foraging, and vegetable gardening, available for both children and adults.
• Manure Pickup Pony manure available for pickup Monday–Thursday 10:00–15:00 for garden use or compost improvement, with a voluntary donation requested.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000 annual visitors to the farm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Unikidz BSOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnikidz BSO operates a childcare location at the farm. They rent space in the main building and contractually purchase minimum €10,000/year in activities including nature education, animal care, and pony activities. Multi-year contract in place.
• Stadspas / Gemeente AmsterdamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal social program enabling children with Stadspas to receive discounts on lessons and camps. Stadspas holders get €10 for 10 pony riding lessons, €20 for pony camp participation, and reduced Ponymaatjes instuif fees.
• Jeugdfonds Sport AmsterdamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSports fund for children from low-income families. Parents can apply online; intermediaries (teachers, neighborhood coaches, social workers) can also apply for children without Stadspas with proper justification.
• Gemeente DiemenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipality Diemen operates 'Alle kinderen doen mee' program funding sports and cultural activities for children from low-income families. Contact: dhr Karso, 020-3144888.
• Stichting SinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting children in poverty to participate in sports. Part of the 300+ children who have participated via social programs.
• Manege en RuiterbondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranch organization membership providing ruiterpaspoort (rider passport), accident insurance, Manegeruiter magazine, and quality standards certification for riding schools.
• VattenfallminorOthersLandlord from whom the farm rents the terrain at Overdiemerweg location.
• Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven (SBB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides official recognition as internship provider for vocational education programs in care, animal husbandry, equestrian sports, and animal care.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FNRS (Federatie van Nederlandse Ruitersportcentra): Dutch federation of riding schools and equestrian centers providing quality marks and accreditation. Relevant comparator because Boerderij op IJburg's Manege & Ruiterbond membership signals operation in this accredited riding-school ecosystem.
• KNHS (Koninklijke Nederlandse Hippische Sportfederatie): Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation governing Dutch equestrian sport. Comparable as the sector umbrella under which Boerderij op IJburg's riding activities, certifications, and rider passports sit, even though KNHS is a broad industry body rather than a direct operating peer.

Direct peers

• Kinderboerderij De Uylenburg: Children's farm located in Amstelveen near IJburg, providing animal interactions, educational visits, and family programming in the same Greater Amsterdam region. Comparable as a neighboring children's farm operating under similar community/educational principles.
• Stichting Zorgboerderij 't Paradijs: Care farm in the Netherlands providing day activities (dagbesteding) and animal-assisted support for people with support needs. Closely comparable to Boerderij op IJburg's Dagbesteding, Kanjer Lessen, and Animal Intervention offerings that combine care delivery with animal contact.
• Kinderboerderij De Pampel: Children's farm in Almere offering animal care activities, nature education, and youth programs in a Dutch urban setting. Directly comparable in combining animal husbandry with educational/recreational services for children and families, the same model as Boerderij op IJburg.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BoerderijIJburg
• Facebookfacebook.com/BoerderijOpIJburg
• Instagraminstagram.com/boerderij.ijburg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boerderij-op-ijburg

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boerderij op IJburg