Horses in Greyton – Myths and Facts
I’ve lived in Greyton since 2008 and have been an avid student of Greyton history, which made me work through piles and piles of old Greyton newspapers representing about 20 years, as well as speaking to a large number of “old” Greytonians. I am a knowledgeable horse owner and an animal lover and one of the reasons we moved here, was the country feel created by the wandering animals. As an estate agent, my income is also dependent on how pretty and inviting Greyton village is.
However the reason for my long-winded post, is that I see an increasing number of people commenting on the horse situation in Greyton and basing their observations on some common but totally incorrect myths:
- Horses have always been here – Fact, but only since the founding of Greyton. Many years ago, people farmed their Greyton plots and they brought here and used primarily mules and donkeys, but also a few horses. However, as modernity moved in, the horse, donkey and mule population declined dramatically.
- Owning horses is a cultural right – Myth. Which culture? It is well-documented that the Khoi who inhabited this region during the time of Jan Van Riebeeck didn’t have horses and actually rode on oxen, which they also used as pack animals.
- Development has restricted the horse movement and forced horses onto the municipal dumps – myth. In the last 20 years, there has been little development in Greyton. When I arrived here in 2008, there were less than 20 horses in the area and most belonged to one man who had recently moved here from Riversdale. Due to indiscriminate breeding, the horse population is now deemed to be a few hundred (some observers say 500); this is something I predicted in 2010, amidst lots of laughter and scorn. Of course this is not sustainable at all and is currently the real problem. Sadly, there is talk now of yet another grouping that will purportedly be looking after the horses, but which has “breeding” as one of the items on their agenda!
- The owners are expert horsemen – myth. The way most horses are ridden in Greyton streets is nothing short of extreme animal cruelty, which these poor horses have to endure daily and which hugely outweighs any of the other deemed forms of cruelty towards the horses. Sadly this is missed by the vocal activists and the horses also endure this in their own stoical way without too much complaining. Unfortunately this is noticed by knowledgeable riders, who are all appalled.
I once asked an owner of about 20 horses, who had no income, how he afforded looking after all the animals, as properly looking after a horse can cost a few thousand Rands per month per horse. His answer was “I don’t have to worry about it, there are many people in the village who do that on my behalf”. Whether that’s right or wrong is not my call. But I do know that it is not sustainable. What I also know, is:
- The indiscriminate breeding (actually all horse breeding) has to stop asap, or we will have over a thousand horses in the next 2 or 3 years.
- Nobody in Greyton has a right to own horses. If you can’t afford looking after them, don’t have them. The sooner everybody stops pussyfooting around this, the better for all concerned and especially for the horses.
- Cruelty has to be stopped by all means. Dogs that are abused by owners are confiscated – the same should be done with horses. I know that legally this is a tough cookie, but it’s one that has to be tackled.
- Most horses and especially young foals cannot co-exist with speeding cars.
Thanks Chris,
A very good introduction to a necessary discussion. Here only my personal – far from professional – comments:
– I like and more than tolerate “loose animals” in a Greyton setting, but everything within measures as you noted above
– It is preferable to have horses and cattle keeping our kerbs and empty plots clean, preferable to noisy lawnmowers or messy letting it grow without control.
– I do not appreciate (specially one person) chasing the horses onto the main road, when they were peacefully and safely grazing on an empty plot – by-laws here or there, this is counterproductive, cruel and dangerous.
Thanks Klaus, appreciate your insight.
Totally agree!
It’s time somebody has the guts to tell it like it is. If you own any animal you are responsible for it’s care, no one else!
Thank you Sandy! Sadly fundraising seems to be the main priority now, just like it’s always been…
Thank you for this Chris, It is a huge problem in Greyton, and one that makes me so very sad. All animals, but specially the horses, and all the babies every year. The gelding project is great, EARS is great, Animal Welfare is great, and Greyton Animal Sanctuary is great too, as are most of Greyton’s residents. However, the people who treat their horses so badly are not great. I stopped a young boy from really beating up his horse a while back – he looked me straight in the eye and said “Dis my perd, ek kan doen met hom, net wat ek wil!” Isnt that awful?
I dont know what the answer is, maybe this generation of children won’t want horses when they grow up, but rather they will want cars and bikes, and then they will sell off their horses.
Perhaps horses should have a herder looking after them at all times that they are on public property? When the big herd of cattle comes past my house it is a pleasure to see. These cattle are herded and treated calmly – guys ride horses, just like real Western cowboys, and talk and call to the herd as it goes along, and they keep them together. I love seeing them!
I also think there should be a licence fee to own a horse -and insurance etc if these horses are used for horse rides, and to pull carts etc.
One day there is going to be an accident, and a huge court case!
Thanks Gay!
Some thoughts on this obviously emotive topic and generally priviledged views of the “problem” from a newbie
1. Foraging by cattle and horses for food in the commons ( including pavements) is a tradition in the village.
2. This beautifies our village and is the reason many people come here.
3. Any animal abuse is intolerable and must be prevented where possible and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
4. Owners and riders of horses must be educated and encouraged to be humane and entrepreneurial I have found most to be very responsive to encouragement.
5. The speed limit for motor vehicles in the village is 20km and must be enforced .
6. Excess horses can be used to generate income for owners through humane sale to other parts of the country. We can develop riding trails and create a beautiful environment which creates jobs and attracts tourists. At the moment they are impounded following complaints of angry white villagers who dont want them foraging near their houses , kept in inhumane conditions unfed just off the N2 and sold for next to nothing to be killed for food. I have found nearly all horses to be extremely calm and well socialized untill esidents chase them,set dogs on them , throw missiles and whip them.
7. Tolerance, kindness and gratitude are virtues that the privileged should develop.
8. Within every problem are the seeds of opportunity.
9. Walk a while in the less fortunate shoes. I know Trump has ushered in an era of narcissistic sociopathy .. but do we really want to wander down that path.
Ps The town dump and the mess of plastic everywhere is a health problem and eyesore and getting worse every day. Fires burn off weeks anc acrid chemical smoke fills the air. Something must be done.
Pps Klein dorpie of the year .. not yet.. we need more imagination and entrepreneurial skills brought to bear on the social and ecological problems facing us .. less white privilege as our guiding light.
Mike Gray… newcomer
I am a tourist visiting Greyton. When I saw the horses grazing outside my guesthouse I was excited and intrigued. I went out to take pictures. Two horses approached me. They seemed friendly enough and I petted them on their noses. The larger horse turned sideways and I stroked her side. Out of nowhere she turned and landed an extremely hard and painful kick on my thigh. I managed to run before she could land her second attempt, I have heard locals talking about the horse situation here and around town. All I can add from personal experience is that I got hurt interacting with a horse here. And no, I did not startle it. Or stand behind it. So beside any other concerns, the situation can get dangerous. I’d hate for anyone to sustain a more serious injury than I did. It hurt like hell, and a day later is bruised and swollen.
I’ve seen quite a few horses and foals in need of medical care on the streets of Greyton. One goal today literally covered in ticks. Very disturbing
Sad to see “tourists” willing and paying for rides on horse carts. 6 adults, one horse, uphill with cart all flat tyres. How the hell is this right???