Morgan Bay Cliff Top Beach Ride

It is summer on the Wild Coast

On the Wild Coast, it is not only Santa Claus who arrives at Christmas – in fact, it usually feels like half of Johannesburg and Bloemfontein also descend on the area to celebrate the festive season. As a result, December through to early January always prove to be busy for both the equine and the human team.

With 18 of our working horses located at the beach paddocks in Kei Mouth, Amanda, Jenny and Roz lead literally hundreds of people up and down the local beaches – mostly at a steady plod. Every year we experience a great sense of pride that those same horses that gobble up the kilometres on trail with the wind in their manes and the sand under their pounding hooves, then take completely inexperienced riders safely along those same beaches, carefully following nose to tail in a study of concentration and equine responsibility.

In addition to the day rides at the beach, we enjoyed a mid-December trail with return client Werner Vogt and the McLennan family from the Western Cape. Time Warp proved himself once again, carrying Werner safely and expertly for the full four-day trail. Initially, we were concerned that Time’s old leg injury would mean he would struggle to carry the extra weight (Werner is about 6 ft tall and weighs around 95kg) but he did a sterling job and came back sound and still full of running. The McLennan family experienced a few aching muscles being unused to such long hours in the saddle, but nevertheless enjoyed the thrills and spills (well, just the one spill!) of the trail.

Sunray Farm has seen many guests come and go over the past month, with several clients from previous trails returning to enjoy a stay at the farm. We welcomed back Laurence LeGal and thoroughly enjoyed her company once again. We also hosted the indomitable Christiane Dubat who, at 67 years of age, nevertheless rode us all into the ground! A good five to six hours a day in the saddle was not enough to weary this rider! On the one ride, a lady walking past us on the beach commented, “I used to do that in my younger days.” and I thought to myself, well, I hope that, like Christiane, I’m still doing it in my not so younger days!

To assist with this steady flow of mouths to feed, Sarah Dawson (The Ride’s quieter third party) joined the team at the farm and produced a consistently impressive array of meals… even her packed lunches were full of variety and surprises! She also brought her son, Fynn, along to provide a running commentary on life, the universe and anything else that popped into his 10-year-old mind at any given moment!

We are already missing them both, even though they have only been gone a couple of weeks, and many tummies and taste-buds have happy memories of their stay here.

In addition to the usual business of getting bums in saddles, we’ve had the unfortunate challenge of an outbreak of African Horse Sickness in the area. For those unfamiliar with the disease, this is a midge-borne virus that causes a leakage of fluid within the body and affects the inflammatory system. There are several different strains of the disease which are indicated by a variety of different symptoms, often making it difficult to diagnose in time to treat effectively. There is no known sure-fire cure and some horses die within a few hours of infection. The outbreak began over Christmas with one of the first confirmed cases occurring on Christmas Day itself.

It has been a difficult and stressful period for all horse-owners in the Kei Mouth/ Morgan Bay area, with a total of over 60 horses dying as a result of the disease. On a more positive note, we have received huge amounts of support from people far and wide. Professor Alan Guthrie, one of the leading specialists in AHS, came down to Kei Mouth to offer advice and support to our local equine community.

We were also fortunate enough to receive a donation of a new AHS vaccine developed by Disease Control Africa which enabled us to vaccinate all our horses. While this vaccine is still very new and, in general, available only on prescription, many believe it offers horses a new hope of surviving this dreaded disease. A booster of the vaccine produced by Onderstepoort Biological Products was also provided free of charge to horse-owners in the area, giving individuals the freedom to choose the most effective method of managing the outbreak according to their own personal philosophies.

Wild Coast Horse Trails lost four horses in total, including our Percheron stallion, Bobby, and managed to save about seven horses that have been confirmed as having AHS. Our method has been, firstly, to check horses regularly for swelling above the eyes and around the muzzle in order to identify the virus early in its development. Frequent checking of temperatures has also been vital in helping us to pick up infection early on.

We have been using MMS intravenously and orally to treat those infected horses and it seems to have proven successful in the majority of cases. I won’t go into the complexities of MMS here as I am not really knowledgeable enough, but the basic premise of it is that it works as an oxidizer to kill the pathogens of various diseases. MMS is made up of, primarily, of weak solution of chlorine dioxide mixed with water and several additional neutral trace elements. For more information about MMS, please visit http://www.miraclemineral.org.

We are now in the fortunate position that the outbreak seems to have abated. Whatever this can be attributed to, both ourselves and our horses are relieved at this respite and hope it continues throughout the remainder of our summer.

So, as the New Year begins, we put old sorrows behind us and focus on the brighter future ahead. We are eagerly marketing our trails although the year has got off to a slow start in that department – please do contact us for further details if you are interested in a thrilling ride along some of the best beaches in the world! Our working riding programme is looking busy throughout the year so we are delighted to have so many keen riders coming to join us and share their knowledge and experience. We wish all our readers, clients, followers and horses a very happy 2013.

Horse Riding weekends for the family

Quality family time on a horse-riding weekend

Published: May 31, 2012  by Nicky Hoseck

Most reputable companies have mounts to suit all ages and abilities

Source: Wild Coast Horse Trails

Horse-riding weekends for the family

Horse-riding weekends have much to offer – not only is a great way to enjoy a rural retreat, it also gives families the opportunity to spend some quality time together while sharing a love of the outdoors and discovering the joys of horse-back riding.

In current times of financial pressures, many families struggle to find ways to enjoy time together in a relaxed and healthy environment without breaking the bank. Horse-riding weekends offer a cost-effective way to escape the pressures of a busy life and hectic home and enjoy a rural retreat.

Many companies offering riding lessons or trails will also offer short-term breaks for adults and families alike. Some companies have accommodation available on their farm, meaning you can live and breathe horses and absorb the rural life for a few days – returning home refreshed and rejuvenated.

The accommodation is usually provided as part of the horse-riding weekend package and is generally affordable and comfortable. Some will provide rooms within the farm house so guests really get to feel like a part of the family for the duration of their stay. Some meals are usually included in the package, reducing the cost of extras, and giving guests the chance to enjoy simple, home-cooked meals on the farm.

With a range of different horses and ponies available, these professional companies will ensure the safety of even the most nervous of riders. The amount of riding you do is usually up to you, giving you the scope to customise your trip to suit the needs of all your family. After a morning in the saddle, you may decide to unwind at the beach in the afternoon or take a hike into the countryside. Of course, you may get hooked and find you want to spend every available moment with your new equine companion.

The health benefits of a horse-riding weekend are self-explanatory – lots of fresh air and exercise will ensure even the most active of people will also benefit from a good night’s sleep. The experience of bonding with a horse and exploring the countryside will also help relieve stress and give your mind a break from the strains of work and home.

When choosing the perfect destination for a horse-riding weekend, make sure you opt for a professional organisation that specifically caters for riders of all ages and abilities. Be honest about your expectations and your fitness so as to ensure you don’t return home feeling exhausted rather than refreshed.

As with any holiday, location is vital. Choose a riding facility that has lots of scope in terms of where and when you can ride. A few lesson a with a qualified and experienced instructor will be useful in terms of getting you started, while the opportunity to ride with non-dangerous game or to canter along a golden beach will make your stay truly unforgettable.

South Africa has many choice destinations for families and individuals seeking a horse-riding weekend so it’s worth exploring all the options before setting off on your trip.

Wild Coast Horse Trails, Safaris and Riding Holidays

Heart breaking decisions, devastating consequence, happy endings....

Olympic, Tanica, Quayle

Last year 2010 was hard.  The recession knocked us off the comfy ladder we were climbing, then the 2010 world cup soccer kicked us in the shins and the worst drought in living history of our area shriveled up every blade of grass and drop of water.  I cant even say that we were keeping our heads above water, there wasn't any - just a sticky black mud to sink into.  So to keep my working team together, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to cut back and sell some horses.  A nearby local breeder was looking for brood mares - perfect - they had lots of space, lots of horses, and it all seemed like a good idea at the time.......my girls would have a good home, be looked after and the deal was made that I would keep the foals that 3 of the 5 mares were carrying.

Brood mares 

A month before the mares were due to foal I delivered Dancing Quayle (not in foal) Olympic Dream (in foal) Torstone Tanica (in foal), Diamond (in foal) & Romance (not in foal) - with great expectation of the first crop of "Bobby" foals were to be born there and would stay with their dams until it was time to wean, in the mean time the mares could be serviced by their Friesien Stallion. Win win , everyone gets what they want........

11 October 2010 Diamond & Trinket

13 Oct 2010 Tanica & Trevor

After a month, I dropped in to check to see how the girls were looking, I was a little concerned that they had lost condition.  I did voice my concern to the person who was suppose to be looking after the horses.  But it was the end of a very dry winter..............I also asked where Quayle was, they said she must be around.........Diamond was the first to foal, she was looking thin but ok, and she had a lovely filly whom we called Trinket, shortly after Tanica foaled, a lovely colt we called Trevor she was also thin.  I kept asking after the other 3 mares, no one had seen them?  Warning bells started to ring in the back of mind head......  I went to visit again  - I am horrified at how the horses had dropped even more - the two mares with foals are very thin.  Olympic was now due to foal, and I want to see her and get told no, she is dead!!  I ask what happened, and get told they dont know but it might have been while she was foaling.....Romance is looking awful.   On further enquiry I am told that Quayle is also dead - fell and broke her neck??  I am beginning to think more like my girls had starved to death!!

I am guilt ridden - my beautiful girls are riddled with rain scald, full of ticks, skin and bones - Oh my God - what have I done?  I cant forgive myself for having to sell them. I dont have the money to buy them back.  So I make a decision to go and get the two foals and hand raise them.  At least that would help the mares and the foals would be OK - so the Saturday I go around and tell the person who was suppose to be looking after the horses that I will come and get the foals on Monday.  The two foals are looking very poor, thin and full of ticks, I give them a shot of vitB (and the mares) and told them to hold on, I will come back for you............................

Monday morning, I get to the farm, Tanica is looking terrible - an old injury is abscessing and very painful, she is horrifically thin.  Little Trevor is weak and wobbly - you can see his hips and ribs sticking out.  Romance and Diamond are eventually found and brought to the sable yard.  Diamonds foal is missing .....and never found.....I was too late.......

Once home, we got Trevor onto a milk/water/tissue salts mix and fed him every two hours.  Darling Tilly without any hesitation took him under her maternal hoof and become his step mom.  Within days, he had stabilized and pickup weight.  Now I knew my worst nightmare was true, Tanica, Diamond & Romance were going to starve to death by neglect....Oh dear God forgive me....please help me.

The following photos were taken on the day we brought the mares back to Sunray Farm. 
23 November 2010

Tanica's abscess on leg

Diamond

Tanica

Romance

Romance

Romance

Tanica

Diamond

Tanica

Diamond

Diamond

Tanica

Romance & Diamond
on the road to  recovery

And He did, He sent an angel Roz, a volunteer at the time, who had help me rescue Trevor, who was there as I sat crying, "If only I had the money to buy them back"   - she raised the money through generous donations from her friends, rallied around and got enough to not only buy the mares back but have a little left over to buy the extra feed and medication they would need.  I could not have done it with her.  Thank You Roz.

So began a week long negotiation to buy the 3 remaining mares back, all the time the girls were getting thinner and weaker.  But we did it, got them home and began nursing them back to health.  We also managed to get Trevor suckling again from Tanica as with food and good grazing she began to produce milk again.

Tanica & Trevor
reunited and getting stronger

I have to give a special mention to Janine in Mthatha who took Romance for a couple of months and got her back to full condition and health - Thank you Janine, I could not have done it without you.

and last but not least to dear Roz & Ana and friends.  Thank you.





Its a happy ending to a painful lesson.
Here are recent photos of the three mares - Tanica will remain a brood mare, as the damage to her leg has made her unsound.  Diamond is loving working at the Game Reserve and has made a full recovery!  Romance  is back from her rehab with Janine, as fat as butter and is used here at the farm as she is a school master and wonderful ride. And Trevor, well he is cute and fat and growing up with the rest of the herd!

Tanica January 2011

Romance 4 June 2011

Diamond enjoys being a safari horse! June 2011

Third time lucky!

Ok, so here goes again!!
Will I be able to keep this up - this a the third time that I have sat down with full intentions of keeping and writing a blog, but it gets a bit hectic out here in the bush.  Although I must say I seem to be totally hooked on Facebook, but I dont always say what I want to say cause its a bit short.

We have taken more riders on trails in the past two months than we did the whole of last year.  Thank God!
I never want to go through a tough time like that again.  But thanks to sheer determination, and the good will of people we work with, we have managed to pull through, and this year is looking to be the best ever!

The 7 night safari is a definite success.  A fabulous ride, combining game view and beach riding!
But I digress, this blog is not about flogging the trails, but rather about what we are up to, the horses, and general life in Africa.

I hope to keep it up beat and amusing, occasionally sad, and hopefully I wont need to rant....
Chat to me everyone, I love to hear from you...