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National lottery drops SPCA

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Some SPCA branches have Horse Care Units, where horses and ponies that have been abandoned
or abused are nursed back to health before being re-homed. (Roxanne Joseph, GroundUp)

A cut in funding from the national lottery has forced the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to reduce its free services, including the work it does in poor communities.

Since its launch 62 years ago, one of the services it has offered is the care and treatment of beasts of burden, like donkeys, horses and oxen, which many people in rural and other marginalised communities depend on to work the land and for transport, according to a report on GroundUp’s website.

For the past 15 years, the SPCA and its branches across the country have received tens of millions of rands in funding from the National Lottery Commission (NLC).

But in 2017 that funding was cut after the NLC announced a shift in its focus to poverty relief, leaving the SPCA and other animal welfare organisations scrambling to make ends meet.

Marcelle Meredith, the executive director of the National Council of SPCAs, described the decision as “short-sighted and inexcusable” in a statement released at the time the NLC announced the change in its focus.

“We found out via the media that animal welfare organisations were not being considered for funding for 2016/2017,” Meg Wilson, the SPCA’s head of communications, said in an email last month.

Beneficiaries encouraged to ‘find other sources of funding’

The organisation was then informed that applications for funding within the charities sector for 2016/2017 would focus on areas aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP), which “only included helping vulnerable people and crime prevention”.

After writing to the NLC to query the decision and voice its concerns, the SPCA received this reply: “Unfortunately, animal welfare is not one of the focus areas for this year’s open call for applications, and therefore your application will not be accepted this time around. The criteria also exclude some other sectors for this call.”

“Not only does animal welfare affect communities, but the upliftment of animal welfare affects society in totality,” Wilson said, adding that the work the organisation does goes beyond animal welfare.

The NLC responded directly to the SPCA’s concerns with a statement several months after the initial announcement, which encouraged beneficiaries to “find other sources of funding so that they do not build a dependency and an entitlement to NLC funding”.

Animal welfare has once again been excluded from the next round of funding applications (2017/2018), according to an advert on the NLC’s website.

Despite this, the SPCA is applying for funding, according to Wilson.

The SPCA has adoption centres throughout the country. Some of the bigger branches deal with anywhere from 800
to 1 200 adoptions each year, which is much less than the number of animals who come in during that time.
(Roxanne Joseph, GroundUp)

Free services to the poor since 1955

“The [SPCA] does enforce the law and in some of our portfolios, we do prevention and early intervention for the vulnerable.”

The work done by the SPCA and animal welfare organisations may not seem to fit in the category of poverty relief, but the SPCA has been providing free services for the animals of poor people since 1955.

This care is not only aimed at domestic animals; the SPCA also treats and cares for beasts of burden — horses, donkeys and oxen — which their owners use to grow food, earn a living, and for transport.

They also treat cattle, sheep and goats, which people depend on for food and meat.

“Just looking at the impact that the illegal donkey skin trade has on communities, as well as the direct link between violence against animals and humans, the effect that the SPCA has in the work that it does far exceeds just animal welfare,” said Wilson.

The SPCA has adoption centres throughout the country.

The loss of such a significant source of funding has had a major impact on branches across the country, including Grahamstown, Empangeni and King William’s Town. These branches work in multiple rural communities, assisting hundreds of animals each month.

Donkey skin trade ‘detrimental’

In Grahamstown, the organisation works with a large rural community, running outreach programmes, offering vaccinations and sterilisations, visiting schools and meeting with local groups. It also works alongside other welfare organisations and local vets.

“We form connections within the communities to better understand their needs,” said centre manager Mark Thomas.

In the past year the branch has been focused on the trade of donkey skins throughout the area.

The skins are exported to China, where they are in high demand because of pseudo-scientific beliefs about their medical properties.

Thomas described the impact of the trade as “detrimental” because of the reliance of these communities on donkeys for all forms of transport.

The donkey population between Grahamstown and Peddie has been decimated and there are very few donkeys left there.

A large focus of the SPCA’s educational programmes is to teach people living on and around farms how to properly
care for the animals that are often a major source of livelihood for them and their families. (Roxanne Joseph, GroundUp)

‘Animal welfare is inextricably linked to human welfare’

But the SPCA continues to offer support to other communities and their animals, he said.

Sufficient funding has, until now, enabled the organisation — and others like it — to work in communities that are affected by the donkey skin trade, and educate people on how to properly care for their donkeys and farm animals. Communities were also educated on how to spot the signs of a possible trader.

“These donkeys are a massive part of these people’s lives,” said Tara McGovern, a spokesperson for the SPCA Cape of Good Hope branch.

“They are loyal beasts of burden, and are used for vital community activities like transport and trade.”

The decision by the NLC does not make sense because “animal welfare is inextricably linked to human welfare” and the alleviation of poverty, throughout South Africa, she said.

The national lottery has allocated R138m to animal welfare organisations since 2002, which is 1.29% of the total R10.7bn allocated in the charities category of the NLC’s funding.

‘It is a dire time for the organisation’

While NLC funding of the SPCA has varied over the past 15 years, it has remained an important source of financial support for the organisation throughout that time, with an allocation total of R128m.

The SPCA receives no funding from government and relies on lottery funding and the generosity of the public to ensure that it can continue the work it does.

Wilson said: “It is a dire time for the organisation. And although we work tirelessly to raise funds because we know that lottery is not a guarantee, without that funding, it can be detrimental to the organisation.”

The SPCA takes in more than 237 000 animals each year.

In 2017, it responded to more than 42 000 complaints of cruelty. In the past, funding from the lottery has been allocated to buying vehicles that are used to transport animals and reach outlying communities.

The funding is also used for outreach projects, property maintenance and upgrading, veterinary costs, animal handling equipment and salaries, among other expenses.

The lottery has also funded other animal welfare organisations, including The Emma Animal Rescue Society, African Tails and the Animal Anti-Cruelty League.

Source: News 24
Edited: by inFURmation

Do Horses Like Humans? A New Study Shows That They Understand Our Emotions

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By:  Jessica Booth

Do Horses Like Humans

If you have ever owned or spent a lot of time riding with one particular horse, chances are good that you’ve felt some sort of special connection with them — and wondered if horses even like humans. Maybe you’ve felt like they were actually your friend, or a small part of your family, and wanted to know if the feeling was reciprocal. Research is now confirming that that connection isn’t all in your head — and anyone who has ever had a pet before, horse or not, definitely won’t be surprised at some of these recent findings. A new study shows that horses can actually understand and remember human emotions, which is something that makes them seem even more magical than they already did.

This is not the first time scientists have discovered something like this about these animals — previous studies have found that horses can recognize expressions. This new research, though, has found that the animals can not only recognize expressions, but can also remember them and link them to a specific face. In other words, horses can recognize human faces and their emotional expressions, something that they then use to discern whether the person is a threat or not.

This latest study was done by researchers at the universities of Sussex and Portsmouth and was published in the journal Current Biology. While it’s certainly not the first study down on horse behavior, it is the first one to find something like this. Portsmouth research Leanne Proops said, “We know that horses are socially intelligent animals, but this is the first time any mammal has been shown to have this particular ability. What’s very striking is that this happened after just briefly viewing a photograph of the person with a particular emotional expression — they did not have a strongly positive or negative experience with this person.”

The researchers came to this conclusion after a series of experiments where they showed domestic horses photographs of humans with either a happy or angry facial expression. Later, they showed the horses the people in the photographs, making neutral expressions. During the real life meeting, researchers watched the eye movements of the horses. They found that the horses saw those who had been photographed with angry faces to be more threatening (previous research has shown that horses look at negative or threatening things with their left eye). It’s important to note that the humans did not know which photographs the horses had seen before, which was done to eliminate the risk of the humans behaving differently.

Karen McComb, a professor at the University of Sussex, said in a news release, “What we’re found is that horses can not only read human facial expressions, but they can also remember a person’s previous emotional state when they meet them later that day — and, crucially, that they adapt their behavior accordingly.”

This research is incredibly interesting for so many reasons. For one thing, it proves exactly how intelligent and emotional horses really are — that connection that you might feel with one of these magnificent mammals is a real thing. For another, it’s an important step towards learning more about these important animals, and maybe even animals in general. We still know so little about what goes on in the minds of some of our favorite animals, and this is one way to understand a little bit more about at least one of them.

In fact, this is more proof that horses may have more human-like behavior than you thought. Previous research has found that horses can deal with chronic stress, experience allergies, and even get the flu. Anyone who has spent a lot of time around horses may not find this type of research particularly surprising.

Source: Bustle

 

How policing on horseback continues to be one of the most effective crime fighting tools

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Why do we need mounted police in 2020?

Modern police have been quick to embrace technology, with body cameras recording arrests, computers able to pull up your details in seconds and drones equipped with lights and sirens flying around to monitor social distancing.

But an ancient method of policing has retained its place despite the march of technology.

The centuries-old police horse has re-emerged as an extremely effective crime-fighting tool, beyond just keeping the drunk and disorderly at bay.

That is to say, they’re not just one-trick ponies.

“If you’ve got one horse, it’s like having 10 coppers on the ground,” said Senior Sergeant Glen Potter, the head of Western Australia’s Mounted Police section.

How policing on horseback continues to be one of the most effective crime fighting tools

Police horses and their handlers often find themselves in chaotic and dangerous situations. (AAP: James Ross)

“I mean, there’s no denying there is an intimidation factor there — if I need to break up a brawl, I can manoeuvre the horse into the brawl and separate it.

A community charm offensive

Police horses are etched into the public memory for being both a point of stability and force in turbulent situations, keeping order at mass protests, riots and large-scale events.

But they are also regularly required in remote areas of the country for search and rescue operations.

“We can cover a lot of ground with less people and at great height. We can go through some pretty thick bush, we can see far ahead,” Senior Sergeant Potter said.

How policing on horseback continues to be one of the most effective crime fighting tools

Horses are frequently deployed to rural areas to assist in land searches for missing persons.(ABC News: Kit Mochan)

“We save [a] significant amount of human resource and financial expense on a number of large searches where in the first hour, hour and a half, the team have located the missing person.”

But for Senior Sergeant Potter, who has been around horses his whole life, the true value of the mounted section lies in people’s fascination with the animals.

“There’s nothing like a horse to draw people in for discussion and to be remembered,” he said.

“If you see a police vehicle driving down Rokeby Road [a prominent cafe strip in Perth], you wouldn’t think twice … you wouldn’t remember it.

“And that’s the beauty of it. When people see horses and police officers on horses, they remember.

“If we put horses in a neighbourhood, we see a reduction in crime.

“It’s consistent, and it lasts for a few days after we’ve left, which is a good thing.

How policing on horseback continues to be one of the most effective crime fighting tools

Senior Sergeant Glen Potter oversees the WA Police Mounted Section, which was established in 1834.(ABC News: Gian De Poloni)

“We actually make a point of talking to people when we’re on horseback.

“They’re a fantastic way of engaging with people, not just crooks, but also good people, the general public.”

Senior Sergeant Potter said horses could bridge gaps with sections of the community that otherwise might not feel comfortable interacting with police.

“I’ve been on many jobs in the country with Indigenous people and quite often, suddenly they love the horse, and they want to come up and see the horse and touch the horse,” he said.

“Then the kids come up, and it’s just a great thing … it’s just wonderful. It really does break down barriers.”

Cutting edge police drones are a far cry from the traditional approach of horses

Police horses a rare breed

Finding the right horse for the job is a rare feat. It’s a balancing act of the animal’s temperament, size and stamina to work long, gruelling hours on the beat.

“People think ‘my old horse, he’ll be great police horse’, but that’s not the reality,” Senior Sergeant Potter said.

By Gian De Poloni
Source: www.abc.net.au

The Horse’s Leg

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The Horse’s Leg

A HORSE (Equus caballus) can gallop at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour (50 km/h). Although this involves considerable mechanical work, relatively little energy is spent. How is this possible? The secret is in the horse’s legs.

Consider what occurs when a horse gallops. Elastic muscle-tendon units absorb energy when the leg steps onto the ground, and much like a spring, they return it, propelling the horse forward.

Furthermore, at a gallop the horse’s legs vibrate at high frequencies that could injure its tendons. However, the muscles in the legs act as dampers. Researchers call this structure a “highly specialized muscle-tendon design” that provides both agility and strength.

Engineers are trying to imitate the design of the horse’s legs for use in four-legged robots. However, according to the Biomimetic Robotics Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the complexity of this design cannot be easily duplicated with current materials and engineering knowledge.

What do you think? Did the structure of the horse’s legs come about by evolution? Or was it designed?

Source: Awake – JW.org

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Breeding animals creates a problem

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Breeding animals creates a problem

Image: Pixabay

Breeding creates a massive overpopulation crisis but also raise some serious ethical & Welfare concerns.
A human baby factory is a great business idea…… or did you frown upon imagining this form of exploitation? If this is not ok with humans, how can you justify breeding exploitation for other sentient beings? For this article, we will not address the agricultural breeding of livestock and game or for experimentation, as it is a whole topic on its own.  Today we will focus on breeding, whether by accident or deliberately, with domestic companion animals.

For years there has been this ethical & welfare debate regarding breeding. The animal welfare arguments usually form the basis for the debate as health should always trump looks, but there is certainly an ethical argument too. The debate has mostly taken place around the breeding of animal for experimentation and livestock production. It is important to reflect on the changes in the genetic makeup of companion animals.

THE HISTORY OF BREEDING
Even since prehistoric times, humans have kept useful animals around the area they live. Over thousands of years, the domestication of dogs specifically has led to distinct types of dogs and breeding for various types of functionalities like hunting, livestock guardians, working dogs, sighthounds, tracking dogs, vermin control, etc. Nowadays many animals have become companion animals and even though many of these functionalities are not needed, those breeds are still bred.

During the mid-19th century when kennel/breed clubs developed, breeding became more intense, and many breeds developed since then. Dogs were now not only bred for functionality but for their unique mutations like shortened legs or faces, colours or textures, etc. Dog shows became a sport where you brag about the ‘’look’’ of the animal, sometimes their skills.

The first recognition of animals as ‘’sentient beings’’ (can experience feelings) which appeared in written law was in France in 1976 and has been included in Animal Welfare Acts in many countries since then. Many of these countries have very strict laws about animal welfare and breeding and they enforce the law, but in SA there is still a lot of work to be done.

Breeders & Brokers
I define breeders as anyone who allows their pet to have litters and then either exploits them for financial gain, for status or gives them away for free or hoard them. So, fundamentally there is no difference for us between a registered breeder, backyard breeder, or puppy mill. They all exploit animals for financial gain and animals pay the price. We divide the breeders basically into 3 categories:

Back yard Breeders
They have a couple of animals and do nothing to prevent them from having litters. In other cases, pets are deliberately bred so that the offspring can be sold and it is often these cases where overbreeding occurs. Basically, irresponsible pet owners.

Puppy Mills
They mass-produce animals in poor conditions. As many as they can, back-to-back as fast as they can.

Registered Breeders
Breeders treat living beings as commodities to be genetically manipulated for profit. It is crucial to understand that being registered does not make them responsible. The process for registration is way too easy and something we are working on. These individuals usually have a particular breed and they see themselves as ‘expert’ on the breed. Many also partake in dog shows to brag. It is either love of money or love of status that drives them. Many animals have been confiscated from “registered” breeders, by animal welfare organizations. So, this piece of paper means nothing to us! If we took away the money and status, how many people will continue to breed on purpose apart from the irresponsible owners?

Some breeders claim to be responsible, but when we have a massive overpopulation crisis and killing millions of healthy animals a year (at least 2800 a day in SA), then no breeding can be responsible or ethical. The fact that purebred animals in shelters have drastically increased over the last few years to 25 % and more is a clear sign of a deeply flawed argument.

Also, read about the bad arguments they use to justify the exploitation of animals.

Another problem that helps fuel this massive overpopulation crisis are the brokers and and animal dealers.

Brokers
These are people who are engaged in re-selling animals. Like a middle-man who adds their profit. This includes pet shops and individuals. If you allow people to advertise on your platforms or at your shop, then you are also part of this problem. Even when you are advertising for your friends/family! We have had people who start an animal welfare organization, but support breeding or breed themselves and some who use it as a front for being a pet shop.

Image: Pixabay

THE ETHICAL DILEMMA
There should be animal-ethical, political, and society-wide discussions regarding the future of pedigree breeding. Here are a few ethical questions to consider:

  • How far are we allowed to interfere in the genetic makeup of animals through breeding and genetic modification?
  • Is it acceptable to manufacture a dog that fits your wish list?
  • If a baby factory is not ok when it comes to humans, why would this be ok with other living beings?
  • Even though dogs adjust to adaptation relatively easily, should these adaptations through breeding be done for the next fashion craze, and what if the craze blows over?
  • What happens to the animal when the breeder has used them up?

THE WELFARE DILEMMA
Our concerns here are divided into mainly 4 issues, but not limited to just them and in no particular order. This includes, how the animals are kept, overpopulation, health & behaviour, and bad breeding practices.

How they are kept:
Remember that the breeder mentality sees these animals as commodities and not as companions. Some of these breeders keep the animals in terrible and confined conditions and this is the part that the public does not see, but animal welfare workers witness very often.

Health & Behaviour:
Dogs are monoestrous breeders meaning that they have one breeding cycle per year, however, this can vary between breeds. If a particular bloodline is continuously bred this amplifies both the good and bad attributes of the breed.

Although they have bred the look they want, they have also bred breed-specific health issues for each and every breed. The breeders brag about how they guarantee health, but what they can guarantee is that a Weimaraner’s stomach could turn at some stage, that a Great Dane will have heart problems, that an Alsatian will struggle with hip issues, or that a Bulldog could have breathing difficulties etc.

When used as commodities, many of these animals do not experience play or affection nor are they allowed the freedom of expressing natural behaviour, which is one of the 5 freedoms of animal welfare. Pregnancy and birth in any species come with inherent risks to the mother and the fetus. Repeating the cycle increases the risks. Do you know that some breeders use what we call rape-stands?

Many breeders want the parents to “look good”, so they remove the pups relatively early, so the mom’s mammaries do not sag. Removing them early is bad for the mom and pups. Studies have shown that it is ideal for pups and kittens to stay with their moms for up to 12/13 weeks. They learn valuable behaviour from their mom and if the breeder really cared about that then they would not let them go at 8 weeks or even earlier as the latest trends show, plus the breeder can make sure they get all their vaccinations up to 12 weeks. Letting them go early saves the breeder money. These sentient beings also experience the loss of the pups/kittens as any mother would with her baby. Don’t you think that matters?

BAD BREEDING PRACTICES

How they are disposed of:
If they maybe just used the bitch for four years, what happens to her afterward? They can’t possibly keep all of them if they made a business out of it? The average lifespan of dogs is much higher than just 4 or 6 years and the cost of proper care is not cheap. You do the maths. Many of them are dumped at shelters, sometimes even moms with the last litter or while still pregnant. Animals, like some parrots, easily live up to 60 years.

Tail docking & ear cropping
Tail docking and ear-cropping are the practices of removing an area of a dog’s tail or ear. It is purely for cosmetic reasons and is considered cruelty and illegal in many countries, including SA.  In addition to being cruel and unnecessary in addition to the ill effects it has on things like posture, and body language, and how bad you affect their dog-to-dog communication.

Overbreeding, inbreeding & early breeding
Overbreeding involves breeding an animal more than their body can safely handle resulting in detrimental health effects to the mother and her puppies while contributing to the overpopulation. Especially with puppy mills, inbreeding also occurs which can be detrimental for health. Breeding animals way too early is another concern.

Pushing limits
Some breeders push the limits causing extensive health issues for the dogs they are breeding. English bulldogs are a great example of this. Their breeding is heavily restricted in many countries or even banned.

Promoting purebred superiority
When people hear dog breeding, they hear purebred dog breeding. Often a mixed breed or rescue dog is referred to as a downgrade or “mutt”.

Not properly vetting the buyers:
How extensively do you think the breeders, who see these animals as commodities, really vet their buyers? How many breeders drive to the buyer’s house? Virtual home checks are not acceptable for me and follow-ups are crucial if you care about these animals. I believe animals are already in the wrong hands when they are from a breeder, so how can the wrong hands determine what is best for this animal?

Breeding animals creates a problem

Redesigned dog breeds
Dr. Karen Becker a veterinarian who understands the overpopulation crisis and genetics has written about how breeding has deformed once healthy dog breeds. She looks at 8 breeds specifically including what we call the poster child of bad breeding namely the English Bulldog. These are not the only ones though.

“Breeders may consider them ‘improvements,’ but when you take a closer look at how they’re affecting the dogs’ quality of life and longevity, but they’re anything but! Before humans began their “remodelling” project and playing god, dogs like the Bull Terrier, Boxer, English Bulldog, and Dachshund were well-proportioned, generally healthy, and physically active, but not anymore.

Over the years, several breeds have been deliberately fashioned to exaggerate certain physical traits at the expense of their health, longevity, and quality of life. Today’s German Shepherd Dog, with his sloped back and incoordination, is no longer the canine athlete he once was; the modern-day Pug comes with an extensive list of brachycephalic-related disorders that make his health a constant concern.Breeding physically resilient, healthy dogs has been replaced with breeding for the sole purpose of attaining twisted beauty pageant awards, and breeding for aesthetics has cost us the health of beloved breeds.”

As a veterinarian, Dr. Karen has seen first-hand the problems created when dogs are bred exclusively to achieve specific features, without concern for their health, mobility, or quality of life. It is deeply disturbing that, with all we know about the suffering these animals endure, breeders persist in exaggerating their dogs’ physical characteristics, even if it means sacrificing their health, and national kennel clubs condone it.

A note on genetics.  Anyone who knows anything about breeding knows that forcing two dogs that “look good”, to mate (whether they have papers or not) is not a guarantee of a good litter. Stellar genetics needs testing and an understanding of genetics. It is about bloodlines, not looking nice. Often an excuse for the exploitation of animals through breeding is that they care about the future of the breed.

I don’t buy into that narrative. If you are not doing genetic testing, behavioural assessments, keeping pups with mom for 12 weeks, and a whole bunch of other responsible actions then you do not really care about the future of that breed. If you crop ears or dock tails then you also do not care about the animals because it is cruel and unnecessary.

I agree with the Science and Dogs blogger, Caen Elegans, who concludes:

“No dog breed has ever been improved by the capricious and arbitrary decision that a shorter or longer or flatter or bigger or smaller or curlier ‘whatever’ is better. Condemning a dog to a lifetime of suffering for the sake of looks is not an improvement; it is torture.”

We domesticated these animals and created this problem, so it is now our moral duty to fix it and do better for these animals who do not have a voice in the matter. This animal welfare issue needs to be addressed through education, sterilization campaigns, and stricter breeding regulations.

What you can do?

  • Sterilize your pets.
  • Keep them safe in your yard.
  • Micro-chip them & put a tag on their collar.
  • Don’t support ”free to good home” ads.
  • Don’t support breeders of any kind or brokers including pet shops that sell live animals.
  • Adopt don’t shop (without physical home checks and sterilization their contracts it is not adoption, even if the organization is registered).
  • If you are familiar with the breeder, then invite them to a shelter with you.
  • Educate others.

Capitalizing on the life of an animal, especially since they don’t have the luxury of a choice, for personal and financial gain is one of the most selfish acts and causes many to lose their lives. Asking people nicely to consider the well-being of these animals doesn’t seem to have quite the effect and for that reason, we are working on legislation to put an end to the unnecessary killing of healthy animals because there are just not enough homes.

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Looking to adopt?
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Summer Care for Horses

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horses

Summer Care for Horses

As the summer heat sets in, it’s important to take extra care of our equine friends. Here are a few tips to help keep your horse healthy and happy during the summer months.

Flies
Flies will probably bother your horse the most during the summer months. Use Fly spray regularly, morning and evening to keep those pests at bay. Another way to combat the flies is a fly mask, making sure the fit is not too loose or too tight.

Skin Care
Use sunblock on white or pink areas of your horse. Applying sunblock once a day should be sufficient.

Remember to check that your sunscreen is safe for use on horses’ skin. Zinc-Oxide (used by lifeguards) is horse friendly and water-resistant.

Hydration
Make sure your horse stays hydrated and always has access to potable water. Also make sure water is placed in a shaded area.

Your horse may need extra salt intake and a good way is to provide it with a salt block, Himalayan Salt is also very good.

Keeping Horses Cool
Make sure your horse keeps cool and always has access to shelter even if it is in the form of a nice big tree when your horse is out pasturing.

Have good airflow if your horse is stabled, and place a fan inside the barn or stable if need be to increase airflow on those extra hot and stifling days.

A quick rinse after a hot ride will also cool your horse right down.

Healthy Horse
Be sure that your horse is in good health before heading out on a summer ride. Consider riding in the early morning or in the early evening when it is cooler.

Summer is a great time to spend more time with your horse. The weather is nicer, and you can take advantage of the longer days to ride more often. However, it’s important to remember that horses are susceptible to heatstroke and other health problems in the summer months. Use the tips above to ensure a happy summer for both horse and rider.

Source: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Horses have amazing healing powers

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horses

Horses have amazing healing powers

You may be able to fool yourself, but you cannot fool a horse.

“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquillity to troubled souls, they give us hope.” – Toni Robinson.

For decades now, horses have been included in therapy, but what is it about horses that helps people heal?

Horses have been used in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) since the early 1970s. Horses are highly attuned to emotional energies and can sense what we’re feeling – sometimes even more acutely than we do.

Humans have become quite adept at hiding their true feelings from each other – sometimes, even themselves. But we cannot fool a horse. Horses can sense our deepest emotions and mirror them back to us, often showing us what we have been avoiding.

Obviously, getting to this level of trust with an animal takes time, but that is part of the healing, empowering process. 

Beneficial to children

horses

Equine therapy has proved of tremendous benefit to children with ADHD, autism, eating disorders, depression and anxiety, as well as those suffering abuse.

The many ways of interacting with a horse – from offering it carrots and apples, feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after it to leading it around on a long line, saddling up and riding it help to develop children’s self-awareness over time.

In communicating with a horse, they learn patience, attention, compassion, and responsibility, leading to a greater understanding of themselves and others.

Source: JHB SPCA

Siya Takes on His First Marathon to Support Working Cart Horses on the Cape Flats!

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Siya Takes on His First Marathon to Support Working Cart Horses on the Cape Flats!

As you know, Siya is preparing to run his first Comrades in 2025 to raise funds for the hard-working cart horses he makes harnesses for.  On Sunday, 20 October, he is running his first marathon, the Cape Town Sanlam Marathon, to qualify for the Comrades. His START BATCH IS C AND HIS RACE NUMBER IS 2839.  If you see him on the road, please cheer this remarkable young man on.

Please go to Running Comrades Marathon 2025 in support of Cart Horses! (givengain.com) to help Siya reach his goal of R50 000 for the Cart Horses.

Source: Cart Horse

Siya, representing CHPA, completes his inaugural marathon in a record-breaking time!

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Siya

Siya, representing CHPA, completes his inaugural marathon in a record-breaking time!

If you are not following our social media, I’m thrilled to announce that Siya is now one step closer to participating in the 2025 Comrades Marathon, for which he has qualified. He aimed to complete his run in 3 hours and 16 minutes but surpassed his goal, finishing in 3 hours, 8 minutes, and 47 seconds!

You can still support this remarkable and inspiring young man in his efforts to care for the horses he tends to.  Next race, Two Oceans Marathon in April 2025.

Please go to Running Comrades Marathon 2025 in support of Cart Horses! (givengain.com) to help Siya reach his goal of R50 000 for the Cart Horses.

Source: Cart Horse Protection Association

CHPA – Equine Welfare in Action

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Equine

CHPA – Equine Welfare in Action

The Cart Horse Protection Association is a vital Equine Welfare organization dedicated to ensuring the overall well-being of working cart horses on the Cape Flats in Cape Town. For nearly three decades, we have relied on public donations to sustain our mission. Many wonder why cart horses are still seen on our roads, and the answer is simple: it is legal!

Equine

This is what it is all about. A man and his horse trying to make a living for his family.

In the past, cart horses endured overloading, abuse, poor health conditions, lack of access to professional veterinary care, substandard stables, and widespread backyard shoeing practices. Shockingly, 80% of these horses were unfit for roadwork.  Donors have witnessed the remarkable transformation we’ve achieved. Today, we are proud to report an 80% compliance rate, but sadly, 20% remain non-compliant.

However, we don’t overlook non-compliance. We take action by confiscating and rehabilitating these horses at our Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre, ensuring they are mended back to mental and physical health. Our goal is to find them permanent homes where they will never have to endure cart work again.

Equine

Jan Vonk has made the Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre his permanent home and sends you all a thank you for wanting to help horses like him.

“By contributing your support, you can profoundly impact the lives of these animals. Join the Cart Horse Family and stand with us in our ongoing mission to safeguard these horses under the Animal Protection Act and continue to deliver exceptional services to ensure their well-being and contentment in their roles.”

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE WORK WE ARE DOING

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR SUPPORT. NO DONATION IS EVER TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG!

Source: CHPA