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Mkulu Kei Horse Trails |
Geldings &
Stallions |
Mkulu Kei horse trail's main working team of riding horses
on the beach rides.
Equestrian horseback riding eco- adventures
along the South African, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast. For your equine
riding or working vacation and African horse and pony trek adventure.
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails. Horseback riding tours along the un-spoilt
beaches and coastline of the Wild Coast with Mkulu Kei horse riding
safaris holidays and Lalapanzi game rides.
At Mkulu Kei horse trails and riding holidays
our main working team consists of geldings as their temperaments are more constant, more predictable and they are
less likely to kick out. By not selling horses and having the same
basic team members they know their place in the pecking order and we
can predict mood swings or off days easier. We have an incredibly
young string of horses and although we only start riding them after
their third birthday so much of their training is done in play
throughout their early lives. This makes backing (riding the first
times) just another day in their lives with no stress, never breaking
spirits but building horses that want to work.
See Our Horses page for our natural
training methods.
We will introduce you to our team of trail
horses, matching you to the correct horse for maximum comfort in the
saddle for your equestrian horse riding. We use a working team of
geldings, adding mares when more horses are required.
Trail riding tours on well-trained horses is
what will make your riding holiday with us a pleasure. Read on to see
a description of each horse as you would find him on an average day
 All
our boys are schooled and well mannered, and although they are a young team
of geldings they are trained for your riding pleasure. On the day rides they must not be
competitive and stay one behind the other on the busy Morgan Bay
beach, however riding on the multi day holiday options into the Transkei we expect
each horse to be ridden as an individual mount, taking independent paths
and happy to ride abreast.
Each horse has a unique personality, some more
forward moving and spirited than others. We expect our horse to adapt
to different riders, always giving their best. Even the most
experienced rider does not want to ride a horse that pulls or won’t
stand when asked.
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Irrespective of your riding ability, you want a horse that
you feel confident on, a horse you can bond with on your Wild Coast
horse trail ride or riding holiday. Our horses have manners and they are trained to respond
to your level of riding experience. Whether you are looking for a few
hours in the saddle or much more contact us for your Transkei, Wild
Coast, Eastern Cape South African equestrian experience.
As our horses retire or new babies are
brought into the trail team we try to increase our numbers to
keep up with our growing business. Our natural method of training gives
our horses a chance to develop their own personalities and find
their own valuable place in the stable. Each horse has the same basic training and as each
horse’s confidence level increases they tell us if they want to
be trained for the beginner riders or the more flighty
personalities for the client who wants a horse that responds quicker.
"A real ride to many places at any paces"
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 There are so many equestrian pony and horse
trekking holidays and vacations, why choose us? Read on and find out.
Awesome hacking conditions, the best riding countryside. You could be
here on your coastal safari horse riding vacation, Mkulu Kei Horse
Trails The best of equestrian trail riding holidays. I personally am extremely proud of my working horses; they
work together in harmony, encouraging the younger horses to be
confident and work with the team.
We generally use the geldings for day rides
and trails, adding mares when extra horses are required, the mares
are ridden more at Lalapanzi in the game and pony camps. The horses can
be separated during the ride thereby giving more advanced riders the
chance to increase the pace while more novice riders stay behind the
second guide horse and ride at a slower pace They can then be
regrouped at any stage of a ride. The advanced riders can canter away
from the more novice riders with no drama and although the horses are
trained to follow one behind the other in Indian file on the day
rides, as an intermediate rider you can ask your mount to ride on an
individual path with ease. Horses have to be individually asked by
their rider to canter or they will continue to trot, even if the rest
of the ride canters off. On the Transkei beaches the horses can be
ridden in any order. Our horses are trained, forward moving, easy to
ride and lively to command. A horse that you wish you could take home
with you! You as a rider you will not feel the difference of pace
when you turn for home and can relax on a long rein or can have a
controlled canter without fighting with your mount. Even the most
forward moving horses are disciplined to stand so you can stop and
admire or take a photo of the scenery.
With a description of each gelding as you would find him on an average day.
Our working horses:
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Alexander the Great
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TB X Friesian
Born: 05/10/2000
16.1hh
Dark Bay
Sire: Abe Reg. Friesian Stallion.
Dam: Midnight Dreamer
Nervous or first time riders –Intermediate.
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Alex was born beautiful, with a gentle personality. His mother a very successful TB racehorse who won
frequently and his father an Imported Friesian.
Alex was born in the front garden but soon
found solace in the vegetable garden. Now a strong laid back
bombproof gelding in his prime of his years. With height, stature and
temperament and a superb action, Alex prefers to be at the back of
the ride so nobody can complain if he stops and smells the daisies.
Alex can best be described as a flower power child, although he can
turn on an amazing burst of speed, if you can ride. Alex is Mkulu
Kei's answer to Prozac, and a perfect ride for nervous or first time
riders.
We where not using Alex to his full potential
and have started using him for more advanced riders. As a result he
is more forward moving for those who can ride.
Alex loves the longer rides and comes alive, a
good choice for a more nervous trail rider.
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Apollo
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Friesian X
Born: 11/12/2004
16.1hh
Black
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion.
Dam: Corlea.
Intermediate-Experienced
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Apollo a striking big young black gelding with an open kind face and eyes
and, like his mother, has a floating action. An honest, forward
moving gelding, happier in the middle of the ride but confident to
take the lead. A no nonsense easy ride with a good attitude to work
and a pleasure to ride. Having no vices, Apollo has matured into a
good ride, responsive to the leg and bit with no fuss he gets on with
the job of pleasing you.
A perfect ladies hack and a horse that will
carry weight and tall clients. One of the first horses to walk up to
you in the field he loves attention and shows his affection by
licking your hand. He, like so many of our young horses, was
introduced to working in the height of holiday season amongst the
Christmas traffic, dogs, motorbikes and people on the beach. On his
first ride was introduced to the sea and was happy to play in the
waves.
Apollo, being a Friesian, is a bit too heavy
for a long fast trail but has proved himself by being one of our top
revenue earners on the day rides, and a popular ride often requested.
A good choice if you a reliable sweet mount on
trail.
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Atlas
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Friesian X
Born: 12/09/2005
16.2hh.
Black
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Nikita
Intermediate-Experienced
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Atlas has his mother’s huge Roman nose, huge
ears and solid legs that go up and up, and his father’s gentle
personality. He is an affectionate boy with a big heart of gold. He
was the biggest foal I have ever seen at birth! If I had not pulled
Atlas out he would not have made it or been a “Dummy foal”
(term used for brain damaged at birth). Even then he is not the
sharpest tool in the shed or maybe it just takes a long, long time
for any messages from his brain to the rest of his body. At birth he
stood the same height as an average Friesian 6 month old and his
hocks matched his mothers in size.
Atlas gaining control of his long legs and
standing was very funny but a very serious matter for him. Because he
could not stand he could not drink. His first feed was a bottle
milked from his very patient mother. As a result he bonded with us.
Anyone present at a birth of a foal and
watched a foal getting to its feet and sucking cannot help but to be
impressed with the miracle of nature. A foal should stand on its own
for the first time within about an hour, (some 15 minutes others 2
hours) and suck as soon as possible. It is extremely important that
the foal, in its first suck, takes in a substantial quantity of
colostrums. The foal’s mother’s antibodies in the colostrums are
absorbed into the foal’s blood stream, once protein has been
swallowed; the pathway is blocked to further transfer.
A foal is attracted towards dark under
surfaces – udder, some foals become attached to attendants or even a
tree rather than their mother.
Atlas is at present growing, growing and
growing. At a year he was taller than the 3 year olds and will still
continue to grow for 3-4 more years. Our gentle giant, Atlas, started
his working career like so many youngsters before him; in the height
of season. The only difference being that he was not gelded due to an increase
of screwworm flies with the hot humid weather experienced that
particular year. The plan was to geld him during winter. Even as a
young stallion within two rides was working beautifully, totally
relaxed and enjoying his newfound life.
Mounting him, especially the first time,
proved interesting. How do you back a horse if you can’t get on? It
has been suggested we make him his own saddle with portable
stepladder and parachute just in case you fall off in the field.
Atlas is a typical teenage boy, all limbs and
still trying to use them in a co-coordinated way. Although he looks
like he will rattle apart when he moves he will in time grow into
himself, and his long legs cover a remarkable stretch of ground with
each stride and very little effort. A big boy with big strides.
During the last high season Atlas has really matured into a good
ride, we decided to wait a while before gelding him so he can use the
testosterone to bulk up. He goes well for a male rider who seems to
bring out the best in him but happy even as a stallion to have a
young female rider.
Don has started his next phase of training,
this boy is going to be stunning to see when he has bulked out and going
on the bit.
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Beau
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Friesian X
Born: 11/12/2006
16.1hh
Black
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Bess
Intermediate-Experienced
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Beau is going to be a nice sized horse, has a kind look in his eye and
carries himself well. He was probably the most difficult to back of
all our horses. We had little to do with Beau as a very small foal and
he only came to us full time at 2 ½ years. When we got him he was
difficult to work with in the field and scared of the traffic on the
road. In fact walking him down the road he nearly jumped down an
embankment when he saw a big truck We are proud of just how well he
has done in such a short time. In 6 months he was a totally different
horse and is now one that always says hello in the field, happy to be
handled and always ready to learn more.
On his first two rides he was more jumpy than
we normally have with our training program but by the fourth ride he
was relaxed and having fun. In his first season he carried a number
of different clients who all enjoyed riding him and now ridden by
beginner to intermediate clients. As Beau worked so hard in his first
season, and we don't want him to become stale, we are turning him out
into the field for a while to relax and grow out a bit.
Sweet, kind, gentle personality that is forward moving and responsive to bit and leg.
I think he is really going to be an asset to the Mkulu Kei working team.
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Benjamin Bunny
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Welsh Cob
Born: 1997
15.2hh
Grey
Experienced and only ridden by the guides.
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Benjamin Bunny, a Welsh cob, was breed and raised
in a perfect environment, a happy horse, and a going child’s show pony.
He was lent by the breeder and owner to another riding establishment
in another town, someone we both knew of. After being used in her
riding school for lessons for over a year, the owner was called to
come fetch the dangerous horse. Benjamin was bucking, but not little
bucks, a frenzy of bronco bucks. When the owner went to collect him
he was thin and had two huge saddle sores; the people who loaned him
said that he had got the sores out in the field! The owner tried to
gain his trust but did not have the time or infrastructure to work
with him.
He came to us. With intensive work on the
ground we thought we were winning, but it took one incident and we
were back to square one. It has taken us 8 years of working with
Benjamin trying to earn his trust yet he still rolls his eyes in fear
at a stranger and can only be mounted from the off side. On a ride he
moves away from people on the ground, having an exceptionally large
personal space and you can still feel the uncertainty through the
saddle if he is approached.
Benjamin will never be ridden by the public,
he is only ridden by our guides and only by those who we trust and
are experienced riders. He could be unpredictable and anything can
cause a flashback. Benny, as he is affectionately called, will remain
under our watchful eye and have a home for the rest of his life. A
much loved horse by those who have experienced his ride.
It boils my blood every time I think about the
so called expert/qualified???? Riding instructor who caused the
problems, she has since closed down her riding stable.
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Bestman
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Nooitdegacht
Born: 1994.
14.3hh
Steel Grey
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Intermediate-Experienced
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Bestman, not withstanding his height, was one
of our best weight carriers. He looks like a Thelwell pony, short and
stocky with a huge thick mane falling on both sides of his neck and
is strong, surefooted, bold and nifty. He loves to swim deep into the waves.
A horse with oodles of personality, not a horse that will ever bore you. A very popular ride
with both adults and children and a horse we use on lead rein for
riders under 6 years old as he ponies nicely next to any horse.
Bestman
loves attention, especially from little people, thriving on pony rides
and the attention he gets for the children. One of the first
horses we purchased to start the trails, Bestman has been a valuable
team player. Unfortunately Bestman is starting to show us his age and
have stopped him carrying the heavy clients and he is used more now for the
smaller younger riders, adapting to the mount we require him to be. He
will tell us when he wants to retire.
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Bliss
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Friesian X
Born: 22/11/2004
16.2hh
Black Sire: Prince. Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Bess
Intermediate-Experienced
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Bliss, a striking young black gelding that
started his a working career in the height of the Christmas season.
Showing potential as a great big, trail horse for the taller, but not
heavy clients, as Bliss has a roached back (there is an upward curve
of the back and loin) making his stride a little shorter.
He is very affectionate, a people pleaser,
and a bold sweet natured horse. A big gentle soul that loves people
and has a lot of his father’s personality. If you let him he will
lick your hand. Bliss has started his next level of training and is
already on the bit, and confident if asked to ride an alternative
path.
Bliss does not go well for a nervous rider as
he is inclined to feed off the rider’s nerves, but put your leg on and
he moves forward willingly. He seems to prefer male riders. Bliss has matured well in the last few
weeks and is much more mature in his approach to work, he really puts
his best foot forward for confident riders.
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Buckle Player
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Quarter Horse X
Born: 1998
16.2hh
Bay
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Beginner-Intermediate
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Buckle, a big bay gelding is weight carrier who
is very economical with his effort. He will take you from A to B
safely with no frills. He is honest, bold, and forward moving. If you
want an easy ride then Buckle is the one for you! A horse used to
teach the beginner adult man, and our weight carrier, However ridden
by someone who knows how to ride Buckle can be a totally different
horse and paces out.
He is very valuable to us as an all round
mount, and he controls the pace of a ride. Buckle "The Policeman"
knows our rules on the out rides and expects everyone to follow them.
Don’t pass Buckle, we ride Indian file, he will not tolerate horses
passing him and bites them.
If Buckle was human he would be the gym
addict with the rippling muscles or the bouncer at the club making
eyes at all the girls. Buckle is so funny; the mares can get away with
murder, they can pass him, go through a gate in front of him and even take his
stable. The geldings would have been eaten alive for less, the same
rules don’t apply to the females as the males.
He loves the longer trails and a good race on
the Transkei side. His face changes once he knows he is going on
trail, he smiles.
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Caesar
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Boerperd X (possibly a Quarter horse)
Born: 11/11/2002
14.3hh
Light Chestnut
Sire: Unknown
Dam: MOD
Intermediate-Experienced
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Caesar is a beautiful, small, stocky but
strong looking gelding that has started his working horse career and
showing potential as a great trail horse. A leader, weight carrier,
bold, people pleaser, with nice long forward moving strides, awesome
canter; all round a stunning ride. As a newborn foal Caesar was
stolen from his young mother MOD by Praise, a nursing mare, who then
raised him with her own foal. It was only when we witnessed Praise
trying to take another foal, Zeus, years later we realised exactly
what had happened. Up until then we thought Praise was a sweet mare
for looking after a rejected foal. MOD was a very young mare from a
truck full of horses my father purchased a few days before she
dropped her foal.
We purchased him at 6 months old. Caesar as a young horse did not like
being patted, giving him an injection was a nightmare, however he
enjoyed being stroked and loved his ears touched. He has become very
affectionate and lost all his issues and insecurities now. However he
is not for nervous riders as he is inclined to feed off your nerves
and become unsettled. A late starter who has rounded into a very
enthusiastic people pleaser, a horse who wants to trust and really
bonds with his rider on the longer trails and gives his all. A horse
that needs a confident rider but not necessary a experienced
rider, if you are nervous he becomes a bit unsettled.
A horse we use as a lead horse as he is very happy to break away from
a group and work at a different pace. What a nice ride, we have been
working on his top line. Although he is a barrel his neck was under
developed at the top and over developed under. With Dons extra work
he has matured into a true champion. Don has started to teach him to
be ridden with a neck strap and no bridle.
A good trail horse that bonds with his rider on the riding holiday
escapes.
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Candor
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Friesian X
Born: 11/12/2006
15.2hh
Black
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Tsalela
Intermediate-Experienced
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Candor is not the prettiest horse; he has ears
that are permanently to the side, however he is a Friesian gelding who
will be as strong as an ox and will be one of our weight carriers once he has
fully grown out. In the December Candor wanted to be ridden at all
costs, he stole our tack off the railing, slipped into the ride as it
left the stable yard, taking his place in the line as if it is what
all horses do everyday. He did everything to catch our attention, so
we jumped on his back and went for a ride, only when we got down to
the beach did we realize just how high the seas tide was. There was
no beach! So on his first ride ever carrying a rider he was wading
through the sea knee deep as the waves pushed and bubbled just under
his tummy as if he had done it a million times before. On his 3rd
ride he took his first client, thereafter taking out a rider every day that
whole season.
A bombproof, forward moving, responsive mount
that looks like he is going to be a very popular trail ride. Within
his first 6 months of working he already has clients requesting him.
He likes to be in the front with more experienced riders but is happy to
carry a less experienced rider, a people pleaser. A very nice ride.
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Captain Morgan
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Friesian X
Born: 6/01/2006
14.2hh.
Blue Roan
Sire : Spirit
Dam: Jamaica
Intermediate-Experienced
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A little man with lots of attitude and spunk;
he was the smallest and youngest in the bachelor herd that year. When
Morgan was a stallion he was fast with his hind legs but even faster
with his teeth. I was trying to halter train him but he was lashing
out at my hand as I tried to lead him. In desperation I needed to
teach him that was unacceptable, we do not hit horses especially in
the face so I did the only thing I could think of at the time. Moving
my lit cigarette into the path of his mouth, he burnt his nose on the
cigarette and he never bit or kicked again. I was now above him in
the pecking order and that extended to all two legged members of his
herd. Problem solved and no aggression on my part, it was a language
he understood and respected. If a horse bites, bite him back, if he
kicks, kick back. That is how his mother would react; horses don’t go
round hitting each other.
Captain Morgan has started his working career
and was unexpected surprise, he was much easier than we expected, he
had never seen the sea as his mother was our school master in the
arena at the stud farm yet he took everything in his stride.
I expect him to be similar to Spindrift in
personality both in height and temperament when he has fully grown
out.
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Chester
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Born: 2001
14.3hh
Dark Bay
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Intermediate-Experienced
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Chester has recently joined the working
horses, he is a bush pony that grows on you. His previous owners dearly loved him but did not know horses
and had never disciplined him, he was like a lost soul. He was
purchased by his previous owners at 6 months, along with another foal
and the two babies raised themselves and took advantage of the owners
lack of equine knowledge. As a result Chester can be a bit pushy on
the ground, especially near food. When he came to us he had no idea
how to act like a horse, but did not take the other working horses
long to teach him some manners.
He is not very big but has shown us huge potential as a weight
carrying team member. A bold pony that goes well for a rider who
knows something but can take advantage of an absolute beginner if
they sit on him like a sack of potatoes. Take him for a ride,
interact with him; tell him where to go and how fast or he will take
you for a ride. Chester is willing but needs direction and has very
nice motion. He has no vices, his heart is in the right place and goes very well for
some riders who repeatedly ask for him. He has really worked hard this
last year and is maturing into a very reliable predictable mount. A
pony you can easily bond with.
Unfortunately like so many horses in the area
he has a damaged ear due to Screwworm.
Chester loves the longer trails and likes the
freedom on trail.
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Excalibur
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Arabian X
Born: 5/9/2002
14.2hh
Steel Grey
Sire: Jamaica
Dam: Durakha Raka Reg Arab stallion
Beginner-Intermediate
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Excalibur is a very good-looking young Arab,
gelding, not very big, although he has suddenly expanded both in
height and width. An asset for young beginner riders, a real
children’s pony, 100 % voice controlled, and works well on verbal
commands He actually responds to his name and will follow verbal
instructions during the ride, just like his mother did.
Excalibur’s training started the day he was
born, he joined his mother on day rides at the height of the
Christmas rush, with motorbikes, cars, and people as part of his
easy, no pressure, and confidence building training. Swimming deep in
the sea and playing in the waves with his two half brothers as
young foals going on out rides was lots of fun..
His mother was our schoolmaster and Excalibur was enthusiastic to learn trotting
poles, small jumps etc at his mother’s side. With his sire's all
round abilities and a dam as a schoolmaster he has proved to be a
valuable asset.
Excalibur is already a popular confident horse
and, like his mother, a schoolmaster with a first timer rider at the
back of the ride, if further forward in the line with a child who can ride he is more forward moving. He is voice controlled. He loves
the attention he gets with lead rein rides on the beach with the tiny
riders and is one of the first horses to walk up to you in the field.
Excalibur in the last six months has been ridden by more advanced
riders.
Excalibur enjoys the faster paces, and thrives on trail.
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Gabriel
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Friesian X Boerperd
Born: 23/12/2006
15.hh
Bay
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Juno
Beginner-Intermediate
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Gabriel is a gelding I looked past as a foal as
I though he was going to be small. He was breed by my father and sold on to someone else. He came to stay by us as his new
owners could not cope with him as a stallion, during which time I
fell in love with him. When it was time for him to go I could not
part with him. I knew he was going to be a nice kid’s pony, easy to
work with on the ground with no hang ups and no vices, however I had
no idea just how easy he was going to be. I had said to the
development kids it was time for them to learn how to break in a
horse and planned to ride him the next morning. We had an afternoon
ride going out but knew I would have to concentrate on the beginner
riders. We put the horses into the stables and I was busy talking to
the clients, we walked round the stable and there was Gabriel with no
halter, bridle or saddle standing in the stable yard with three
development kids on his back the fourth was getting a leg up! Gabriel
was saddled up that afternoon and has been ridden ever since by
children of all riding abilities.
The sweetest kindest child’s pony, with time
he will carry adults too. Destined to become one of our most popular
rides, forward moving, responsive, can be used as a lead horse; a
confident happy horse with no vices.
A young horse that will be very popular on the
longer trails.
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Goliath
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Friesian X Boerperd
Born: 23/12/2006
15.2hh
Black Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Nikita
Beginner-Intermediate
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Goliath, a full brother to Atlas, but not
nearly as tall although he will be bigger than most of our
horses. A sweet gentle horse that is very like Robin Hood in
looks but not as pushy on the ground.
He has great big soup bowl feet, huge ears and Roman nose and
like his brother needs to grow into himself. A horse that uses a
lot of energy to move and will be used more on the shorter day
rides.
Goliath was one of the easiest horses to
back; we just jumped on his back and went for a ride. Totally relaxed
and confident he was taking clients out on his third ride, a good ride
for an intermediate rider.
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Come ride with us...
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Gunstone
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Boerperd X
Born: 1998
16.2hh
Dun
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Beginner-Experienced.
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Gunstone has a narrow chest but the biggest
heart. I had gone to buy mares at an abattoir and he looked me in the
eye and promised me loyalty and he has honoured his promise. I am constantly grateful I
saw past his terrible condition and saw the real horse. "A trail
horse in a million".
Superb temperament, kind, gentle personality,
loyal and fearless. Happy to follow at the back or take the lead.
Will out pace any horse with his long floating stride and out swims
all others in the river or sea. The most loved out of all the horses.
From beginner to experienced everyone wants to take him home. Gunstone changes; adapting to the riders requirements, like all our
horses you need to tell him to canter or he extends his trot. He is
always a perfect ride, gentle, considerate, patient and responsive. A
schoolmaster. And a horse we use to climb on over and through his
legs, pull his tail and slide off his bum.
Gunstone carried Carl, a totally blind rider, on
a 5-day trail, through rivers, over rocks, into the sea and even raced, but
what amazed me was when Gunstone took Carl’s arm in his teeth and
took Carl to the gate. Gunstone knew Carl was blind!
Gunstone loves going on safari and has
obviously knows Zebras, as soon as he sees them he calls out neighing
as he would to an old friend.
I have been offered big money for Gunstone, I
could have sold him so many times but he is not for sale at any
price.
Always a safe easy ride who does exactly what
you require on the multi day trail rides.
Come ride with us...
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Hey Dude!
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Friesian X Boerperd
Born: 5/11/2005
15. 2 hh
Black with white stockings
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: MOD
Experienced
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A striking horse with huge potential as a good
reliable trail horse for a selection of different riders. Hey Dude has just started his
working career and was an unexpected surprise on his first ride.
Unlike most of our horses he had never gone on a ride with his mother
so everything was new. We put the saddle on and went for a ride
expecting at least a buck or two. Nothing. He took everything in his
stride including swimming in the sea as if he had been ridden for
years. On his second ride he was a bit stubborn and wanted to turn
back the stables, after a huge hard kick from his rider he fell into
line and behaved.
Having started his first few weeks as a
stallion in the working team he has now been gelded and is showing us
the same potential his older half brother Caesar has. He too will
probably mature later, although he works well he shows us an
immaturity in personality and still plays like a foal in the field.
We worked at his pace and are now reaping the rewards of a bit of
patience, a horse that can be ridden by a wide selection of riding
clients.
Hey Dude is completely in love with Nibbles. Although he can easily be separated from her on a
ride he is never more than a few steps away from her in the field.
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Jiminy Cricket
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Friesian X Miniature horse.
Born: 25/11/2006
12.00 hh
Black
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Starlight
Experienced or lead rein
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Cute as a button and pretty as a picture, pitch black with long mane and
tail and one half blue eye.
A horse that loves children and even as a
stallion was where ever the kids where (we have since gelded him). He drove
our maid mad when he was around the house; as she hung the washing on
the line Cricket took it down. A pain to keep in a field as he just
walks through any fence or clears any gate. This bloodline can jump,
from a standstill over a fence, with ease and no pressure.
Cricket’s future is unknown, although he is
very strong he may be too flightily for most child riders, only time
will tell. He will however be trained in harness with his full
brother and sister who are all identical in looks.
Come ride with us...
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Maverick
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Friesian X Paint
Born: 1/11/2005
1.5. 3 hh
Paint, Blue Roan with oil black patches.
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Cheyenne
Beginner-Experienced
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Maverick; a striking big, unusual coloured, colt.
Granny was a Paint, mommy a Blue Roan and daddy a Friesian. Maverick
is a Blue Roan with black oil markings on his shoulder and down his
leg.
He is the main man, Mister cool dude! What a
pleasure to back! One of the few of our horses that had never seen
the sea until his first ride, his mommy is a rescue case and not
backed. Unlike his herd mates he never had his mother explain the
ride or experience a saddle in play. Maverick went from baby to
having a saddle on his back for the first time, going on his first
ride and walking into the sea all in one day and never put a foot
out of place. He was keen to be in the front of the ride within 10
minutes of having his first rider.
Maverick is a kind worker and keen to go
anywhere with no fuss. Although he is a big boy he moves easily.
Maverick's first 7 months as a working horse was as a stallion and
happy to ride out with mares and was often ridden by one of our
younger talented development children. Even before he was gelded he
was as calm and totally relaxed, his behaviour impeccable and he was
only gelded for logistic reasons. I need to mix mares and the working
horses together in season and don’t want too many stallions in the
herd.
A perfect gentleman, he could well mature into
a similar personality to Gunstone, a nice easy calm worker responding
and adapting to suit his rider.
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Midnight
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Friesian Boerperd
Born: 1995
15.hh
Black
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Novice-Experienced.
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Midnight; a mature horse with oodles of
personality and probably our cleverest horse. Midnight is a teacher,
he does not like a sack of potatoes on his back he wants to be
ridden. That does not mean you need to be a good rider or even have ridden
before, he just expects you to interact with him. Ask him to turn, stop or go and
he will but if you don’t ask and just sit there he will
just turn round and walk back to the stables. Midnight will show you
what you need to learn to become a rider.
Midnight is not forth coming with affection, he is shy until he knows you and will
follow you with his eyes until you come and hug him. Only once he has
ascertained you are worth the time will he return the affection.
He is schooled, forward moving, bold, and
swims the sea or rivers with ease A very popular trail choice, he can
be used by novice riders and experienced riders alike. The more you can ride
the more forward moving he becomes and the more he gives you.
Midnight does not like to be boxed in. If we are cantering as a group
3-4 abreast on trail he kicks out, keep him on the side and then he
is happy. Midnight has unfortunately aged quickly in the last year
and if tired gets grumpy. He has made an alliance with Buckle, the
only gelding that he allows to grooms, him putting himself at the top of the
pecking order. Buckle fights his battles for him.
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*Nsync
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Arab X Saddler
Born: 7/8/2002
15.2 hh
Bay
Sire: Durakha Raka Reg. Arab Stallion
Dam: Flicka
Intermediate-Experienced
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*Nsync is a good looking forward moving, gelding with his fathers high tail carriage and huge potential as a
trail lead horse, jumper or dressage mount. Like his mother he can
open any gate especially if the grass is greener on the other side
and gets a bee in his bonnet and goes walk about, he is the lone
ranger and has been known to power trot down the middle of the
highway on a mission all of his own. I watched him being born and
from that day have said this horse has something special. He has been
encouraged to become a talented sports horse.
For *Nsync his training started the day he was
born. The first time he saw the sea, the beach was full of Christmas
holidaymakers, with dogs, umbrellas, balls and kites. He was 4 months
old and had joined a day ride with his mom and extended family. He
and two of his mates and half brothers (Royal Revenge and Excalibur)
ventured too deep into the sea, deep into the waves and a current
took them out to sea They looked like they were in big trouble! Three years later *Nsync saw the sea again, this
time he was being ridden for the first time. He was relaxed and
mature enough to canter in the waves and took the lead back to the
stables. To anyone it looked like he had been ridden for years!
*Nsync is a very good looking young gelding, who, when he started his
working career, mimicked Grey Mist’s every move; he wanted to be the
lead horse. Now he can be used by a novice rider with a long rein or
alternatively ask him to go on the bit, which he does with ease, and
feel the energy. Extremely important to us as he can be used by a
wide range of clients. A nice ride for an experienced rider who likes
a horse that does not fuss and still has energy. *Nsync is really
matured well and in the last few months has proved to be one of our
main working horses and will adapt to his riders ability and
experience.
A very popular horse for the longer rides, for
the rider who wants a good no nonsense mount. Forward moving with no
drama.
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Robin Hood (Dennis the Menace)
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Boerperd X Friesian
Born: 25/12/01
15.2hh
Black
Sire: unknown
Dam: Flake.
Novice-Experienced.
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Robin Hood; the ugly foal that will never grow
into his Roman Nose. He was so ugly as a foal we spoilt him, and now
we are paying the price. Pushy on the ground, he walks through you, and
impossible to keep in a stable but great to ride. Like all our horses
his first months were spent around the house with the kids and their
bicycles, footballs, radios, puppies etc.
Robin moves forward with a deceptive
ground-covering stride. We have had to restrain him from inspecting
earth moving equipment, landing helicopters, flying kites and
surfboards in the sea. Robin is the horse with his foot stuck over
the fence or his head stuck in a bucket, he has to inspect
everything. Robin is the horse that the kids have fun with at the
stable. He is Mkulu Kei Horse Trails Slide and Jungle Jim and is
happy to stand unaided with children climbing on and sliding off his
bum or playing follow my leader through his legs.
A weight carrier, a great trail ride. Oodles
of personality - Mr. Personality himself.
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Romeo
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Friesian X Boerperd
Born: 06/11/05
15.2 hh
Black
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Rowena
Intermediate-Experienced
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Romeo; a sweet natured horse that moves forward
and naturally carries his head well, has huge potential. More for
riders who know a bit about riding as we don’t want to confuse him
or break his gentle personality.
Romeo wanted to be backed and came with us on
a number of occasions by just joining the ride without a rider. On
his first official ride he looked like he had been ridden for years,
passing a delivery truck moving crates of beer bottles outside the
hotel like it was something he had done every day.
A boy who is developing into a great ride,
already on the bit if asked, a confidant horse one could easily be mistaken as
someone’s dressage ride. Maturing very quickly and enjoying the work
he is ridden by experienced or kind riders, as we want his full
potential to develop. One of our more popular rides for those who
know equestrianism and the finer points of riding, but can be used by
a kind intermediate rider. A horse that is maturing into a very reliable working member of the Mkulu Kei horse
trail team.
Although been gelded for sometime now, he, like
his namesake, rather fancies the ladies, and if he is missing from his
field he is to be found happily grazing with the mares.
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Royal Revenge
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Boerperd / Arab
Born: 27/11/2002
14.3hh
Bay
Sire: Durakha Raka. Reg Arab stallion
Dam: Queen Reg Boerperd
Experienced
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Royal Revenge; a beautiful small bay horse with
long floating strides, a people pleaser and a pleasure to ride for those
who like to feel the power of a horse. An all rounder. Like his
mother he is fast and forward moving and does not like to be left
behind in a canter. He dances like his father. He is a very fast and
competitive, a perfect trail ride for more advanced riders. Loves to
swim deep in the sea but does not like to take the lead in the Morgan
Bay lagoon since he swam into a Jelly fish and was stung. However he is
happy in second place.
Royal was backed on the side of the busy road,
moving horses from the nature reserve down to the beach stables. The
person leading him got tired of walking and jumped on his back. No
drama, he just took it in his stride. After few days of being ridden for
the first time he was happy to take the lead and a pleasure to work
with in or out the saddle.
Royal does spook so you need a good seat, we
believe he battles to see properly and he has trouble with shadows
and dark patches, he sees them as holes, and moves well clear of
them. If the ground is flat and the light good he never spooks. Royal
would do well as a competitive junior’s horse in the jumping ring
making an awesome ride for a smaller client who can ride.
A very sweet natured horse that loves a
cuddle. Although will never be a big horse he has shot up in the last
few months and bulked up a bit.
A excellent trail pony for a small adult who can
ride.
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Solo
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Saddler X
Born: 2003
14.2hh
Palomino
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Experienced
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Solo was orphaned on a neighbouring farm at a
young age and raised with cattle so he had no idea that he was a
horse; he lost own language and associated people with food. Not a
good combination. When he came to us he had no idea of personal space
and would canter up and climb into your pocket. It took a few weeks
for the working horses to teach him pecking order and manners. He is
now a sweetie who forgets occasionally to behave when you have food,
but generally is a sweet affectionate boy.
A horse with lots of potential as a
weight-carrying workhorse. Solo will never be a beginner’s horse, he
moves too quickly. Likes to be in the front of the ride and was
leading the rides within a few days of being backed but he will
accept the back if asked. If you call him in the field he trots up to
you and follows you round the field.
Solo is Don's baby and a horse he often rides.
Don trained him to be ridden just with a strap round his neck and
without a bridle. Even in the height of season during which time the
beach is full of holidaymakers and guiding a big ride Solo was
totally controlled without a bridle just a strap round his neck.
A good choice for a experienced rider on the
longer riding holidays.
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Spindrift
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Arab/ Boerperd
Born: 2000
15.1 hh
Palomino
Sire: Robbie
Dam: Rushka
Experienced
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Spindrift is a beautiful Palomino with perfect
conformation more often seen in a show arena than on a horse trail.
Spindy is in the prime of his life and delivers more than just a trail ride. He is schooled, hot,
forward moving, competitive, and is very fast, bold, swims the sea or
rivers with ease, his surefootedness is legendary and he will take
you safely to places where you did not think it possible to ride.
Our highest revenue earner and a trail horse
that consistently gives 100%, whether he is doing pony rides on the
beach with small children or as the guides horse. Spindy is the horse
that has found all the alternative paths on trail and the main guide
horse. Owned by Luisa, Spindy assists the guides on trail in choosing
the safest and most comfortable route and he has never made a wrong
decision. Happier in the front of the group and loves a challenging
race on the beach. On the beach he travels at speed sideways until
you allow him to go, yet he will walk with a long rein when asked. If
he were a car he would be a Porsche. 0-? In seconds!
Like his name he is all bubble and froth. Spindy holds a grudge for ages and likes a
kind good experienced rider who wants to Go. A horse we use for the shorter day
rides as he knows his job and works with us. We can get from A – B
in a big hurry if we need to but will stand to help a client on
command.
Spindy is available on trail only to very
experienced riders.
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Tryton
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Friesian
Born: 12/12/2006
15.2hh
Black
Sire: Prince. Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Mid Marion
Intermediate-Experienced
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Tryton; a stocky strong Friesian, is desperate
to be ridden. He comes along, loose, on every ride, taking his place in the
line. He walks trots and canters on voice command and is a pleasure to take
on an out ride without a rider; we just have not had the opportunity to get on his
back.
We do not know what happened to Tryton,
whether he was hit by a vehicle, slipped on the new tar road or
received a kick but Tryton has a broken shoulder. However he can lift
his leg, has very little pain and is happy to canter on three legs
keeping up with the herd. With time we believe he will recover enough
to lead a full and happy life and, if not 100% sound, very close. For now he
is recovering in the field. He is now using his leg correctly and will, in time, be lunged to build up the shoulder
muscles.
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Colts in the system
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Gibson : 10/11/08 |
Stuart Little : 15/11/07 |
Jack Sparrow : 09/03/08 |
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Stallions:
With a description of each stallion as you would find him on an average day.
The stallions are available to limited clients.
We do not allow the stallions on the overnight
trails in the Transkei. There are a large number of mares out there with
Dourine, a venereal infection controlled by the State, and we will not
take a chance of our stallions contracting the disease.
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Hermes
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Part ArabxFriesian
Born: 14/08/2005
15.2hh
Bay
Sire: Poseidon. Friesian Stallion Reg. 1041 HAS
Dam: Topaz
Experienced
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Hermes; a loving big gentle stallion with the
biggest kind eyes destined to be a popular riding horses
like his mother Topaz. A horse with huge potential. Hermes was
backed as normal in the height of the holiday season, but due to a
huge influx of screwworm flies that year and with little to no water in
our borehole he was not gelded, but ridden as a stallion.
What a sweet gentle boy, both on the ground
and in the saddle. He really became a team member after his first
ride and was ridden by a number of riders in his first season. A
valuable team member. Hermes was such a worker it was important that
he was given a few weeks in the field to grow out and to come back as a
mature horse, both in body and mind. Hermes has come back to work and
has taken his job very seriously. Already on the bit and looking
impressive, he could hold his own in a dressage class.
Kind good riders will only ride this man and Don is now talking about
taking him into dressage classes as he really has potential.
We have decided not to geld him but use him as a stallion to our Arab
mares to increase height and bone. He really is such an easy stallion
to work with and is more than happy to be ridden with mares. At four
years old a stallion you can trust to ride blind folded on the busy
Morgan Bay beach.
In 2010 he covered his first mares, a job he took
very seriously, and we now wait to see the results.
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Spirit
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Arab
Born : 2001
15.0 hh
Chestnut
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
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Spirit; a stunning, arrogant, showy,
flighty, feisty stallion that should be named hydrofoil, he floats.
Moves with a typical Arab motion and tail carriage. When I purchased
him he had not been handled, the previous owners where scared of him,
and as a result he learnt to storm people. Not the easiest horse to work
with, especially near mares, but probably the most misunderstood. His
ears go back, he bears his teeth however don’t back down to him,
stand your ground and use your body to show him just how big you can
get and you will see a different horse, give him an ear scratch and
he melts.
He does not like men. I put him in the
bachelor herd and he became a new horse, he learnt to socialize. I
then took him to the working horse stables where Buckle turned him on
his back, a very undignified position for a stallion, and Spirit
turned into a puppy. Now halter trained and easy to work with, we
will be backing him in the next few weeks, the extra discipline will
do him no harm.
Spirit has stamped his progeny with his
beautiful show quality confirmation and floating action. Spirit loves
his progeny and is a disciplinarian with his babies, they lick and
chew when he moves towards them but if he calls they all run towards
him. (Licking and chewing is a submissive action and a language all
horses use to any horse or handler above them in the pecking order.
Unfortunately a large number of horses have silenced their own
language as they are often kept in stables away from other horses).
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Zeus
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Friesian
Born: 12/12/04
1530 mm 15.1 hh
Black
Sire: Rommel Reg. Friesian Stallion
Dam: Joan of Arc
Intermediate-Experienced
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Zeusl a big loveable, cuddly, affectionate
stallion, and our first third generation foal. Zeus has no vices
and such a baby face; butter would not melt in this stallion’s mouth.
A stallion that is totally socialized with all horses of all ages and
easy to work with on the ground. Ask him to come on the bit and he
drops with ease showing off his beautiful head carriage. Zeus caused
a stir on the beach this season. He looked a picture with his long
mane and tail being beautifully ridden by a very talented young
development rider, September, who is 12 years old. Zeus is a big boy
with a kind heart, the first in the field to walk up to you for a
love. Like his dad he too can be dismounted in the field by sliding
off his bum, and can be ridden in a ride without a bridle.
Zeus has just starting his life as a big boy!
Both as a stallion to limited mares and as a working horse, to
limited clients, on the day rides.
We do not allow the stallions on the overnight
trails. In the Transkei there are a large number of mares with
Dourine, a venereal infection controlled by the State, and we will not
take the chance of our stallions contracting the disease.
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Come ride with us...
and you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and
thick-forested valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to
rivers that eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic
high rise cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make the Wild
Coast in South Africa one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Ever thought you would like to canter your
horse along a beach, or play in the waves? You could be here on your
coastal safari horse riding vacation.
The sound of
the horse's hoofs on the sand or splash of the water will live with
you forever.
Whether you dream of riding along open
savannah grasslands, pristine coastal forests or unspoiled Wild Coast
beaches, there's a Mkulu Kei Horse Trail that suits your available
time, riding level and budget ...
 An incredible combination of
cross-country horse riding and the exploration of our beautiful
coastline.
And what better to experience South Africa’s
beautiful coastline than on the back of a horse…You could be here on
your coastal safari horse riding vacation, Mkulu Kei Horse Trails The
best of equestrian holidays.
We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the
four legged would like to say a big Thank you to all our guests for
sending us their horse trekking photos, these are your holiday
memories. Thank You. Cheryl
Contact Details:
P.O. Box 25, Haga Haga 5272,
Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Tel/Fax: +27 (0) 43 8411 525 A/H
Cell: +27 (0) 83 632 7298
cheryl@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za
During the day please contact me
on the cell, I am probably horsing around. Signal can be
irregular, please leave a message or phone me on the
landline in the evenings.
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