Coastal Horse Care Unit

04/06/2026

This past weekend, our rural team hit the road for the Dumbe Zululand Outreach, travelling thousands of kilometres into some of the most remote and secluded communities to reach horse owners who desperately need and value veterinary care and assistance from CHCU.

While we saw 77 horses this time, every kilometre travelled mattered.

Because our outreach is about more than numbers. It’s about building trust, creating access, and growing a network of horse owners who now know that help is available when they need it most.

Each visit strengthens these communities, expands welfare awareness, and ensures that even in the most rural and remote areas, no horse owner has to feel forgotten.

One horse, one owner, one community at a time... this is how real change happens. 🐴

26/05/2026

🛑 PLEASE SCROLL WITH CARE 🛑
What you're about to see is raw, real, and not easy to look at. But keep scrolling because where this story ends is worth every difficult image. 🐴

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Some horses arrive and we know exactly what we're dealing with.
This one? We had no answers. Just wounds.

His owners found him like this, no witnesses, no explanation, no way of knowing what had torn through him so savagely. What they did know was that he needed more than they could give him in that moment. So they brought him to us.

And we got to work.

Not with fanfare. Not with a camera rolling. Just gloved hands, wound care, and the quiet determination that every horse that comes through our gates deserves a fighting chance.

Day by day, dressing by dressing, this boy clawed his way back.

He is a rural horse. Tough by nature. Tougher by necessity. And right now, he is sitting on the other side of what should have broken him, almost healed, almost home, and completely unaware of how many people have been quietly rooting for him.

We are telling this story today not to shock you, but because silence doesn't pay vet bills.

The creams, the bandages, the vet call-outs, the hours, none of it is free. And we will keep showing up for horses like him for as long as we possibly can. But we need your help to do it.

Here is what makes the difference right now:
Vet bill contributions (every rand counts)
Wound care creams & antiseptic ointments
Bandages & dressings
Sharing this post so it reaches someone who can help

He came to us broken.
He is leaving whole.
That is the only story we ever want to tell.

26/05/2026

🐴✨ From Darkness to Joy ✨🐴

Some journeys begin in heartbreak…
and end in healing, love, and hope. 💛

This beautiful girl was once trapped in a pit, frightened, exhausted, and fighting for her life. Thanks to the incredible dedication, compassion, and hard work of the Coastal Horse Care Unit, she was rescued and given a second chance. 🙏

Today, she spends her days surrounded by love, children, cuddles, flowers, sunshine, and peaceful moments here at Flag Animal Farm. 🌸🌿🐴

Seeing her transformation reminds us why rescue matters.
Why kindness matters.
Why every life matters.

A heartfelt thank you to Coastal Horse Care Unit for trusting us to love and care for her as part of our Flag family. ❤️

From rescue…
to recovery…
to a life filled with joy. 🐎✨

26/05/2026

🐴 These humans. RIGHT HERE. 👇

Behind every happy, healthy horse in our care is a community of people who just show up. And we never want that to go unnoticed.

Pam McNamara & Winks McKenzie, You came through with generous tack donations for our unit, and we are so grateful to be at the top of your list for these donations of valuable tack.

Mercor Shavings, Clean, cozy stalls don't happen by magic, they happen because of YOU. Your ongoing shavings supply is one of those things we genuinely could not do without. You're a cornerstone of this operation!

Leanne Cutting, Fly spray might sound like a small thing, but when you're dealing with flies and those pesky midges, having fly repellent is an absolute game changer. Thank you for keeping our horses comfortable and protected against AHS!

Annie Palmer, Some people donate things. You donate yourself, your time, your care, your heart. The horses in our adoption program are better off because you walk through that gate. Thank you for offering transceiver treatment to one of our rescues. 🤍

Mark Dixon, You didn't just donate hay, you donated a BIG load of quality hay. That kind of generosity fills more than just hay nets, it fills us with hope for what this community can do.

Equitack, feed on the ground means horses that are strong, healthy and ready for their next chapter. Thank you for donating 8 bags of horse feed!

Clodagh Shaw, 20+ blankets. Let that sink in. When the cold creeps in and the nights get long, it's Clodagh's generosity that keeps our horses wrapped up and warm. We see you, and we are beyond grateful. 🧡

Our Unit runs on hay, hope, and humans like these.
If you've ever wondered whether your donations matter, look at these names. This is what it looks like when it does.

26/05/2026

This past weekend, 23 May 2026, the Annual Nkandla Rural Traditional Horse Race was held. The Coastal Horse Care Unit, in conjunction with the NHRA and NSPCA, attended to ensure the welfare of every equine participating in the event.
Rural Traditional Racing is NOT bush racing. It is a regulated sport with strict welfare standards in place to protect the horses. Regulations include bit checks, lameness evaluations, saddle sore inspections, age restrictions, and fitness assessments to ensure that no horse is allowed to compete unless deemed fit and healthy.
Our teams worked throughout the event carrying out pre- and post-race veterinary inspections, monitoring horse welfare, and ensuring compliance with all regulations. The welfare of the horses remains the top priority at all times.
We are proud to be part of an event where culture, tradition, and equine welfare work hand in hand.

17/05/2026

17/05/2026

Close call... Team in action thanks to our members of the public not only calling us but making sure these horses were safely off the road too!

16/05/2026

Malachi and Nicola Louw

12/05/2026

Three weeks ago, this mare was bitten by a puff adder. When her owner reached out to us for help, we responded immediately.
Once we arrived and assessed the severity of her wound, it was clear that she would need intensive, ongoing treatment at our unit to give her the best possible chance at healing.
This owner is doing everything he can to do right by his horse — and now we are asking for your help to support them both.
The bandaging materials and wound care needed for her recovery are extensive, and the cost of treatment is more than our unit can manage alone without additional support.
We are urgently appealing to the public for donations of bandaging supplies or monetary contributions to help cover the cost of her care. Every bandage, every donation, and every act of kindness will go directly toward giving this mare the treatment she needs to heal.
Together, we can help ease her pain, support an owner who refused to give up on her, and give this brave mare the chance she deserves.
If you would like to donate bandaging materials or contribute financially, please reach out to us directly. No donation is too small — every bit makes a difference.
Banking details:
First National Bank
Branch Code: 221526
Account Number: 6222 0717 815
Thank you for helping us help.

08/05/2026

What a beautiful bond these 3 share 🐴❤️ Pam McNamara and Kim Booth, Thunder’s godmothers, visit him at the Unit every second week just to spoil him. Their connection is truly something special, we could watch this all day long.