Ubuntu Horse Trails

11/01/2026

Dear horse owners.

This is going to be an unpopular post, but it needs to be said.

Teaching your horse to load into a horsebox is not optional. Its not a nice to have. Not an added extra...

It is every OWNER's responsibility to train their horse to calmly load into a box. Its not your yard owner's responsibility, its yours.

Being a 'rescue' not an excuse.

Every horse can be taught this skill. But it takes TIME, and patience . Its not something someone else can do. Yes, professionals can teach you how to teach your horse but you have to put in the hours. And hours. And hours.

Start with proper groundwork, leading confidently.

The time to do it is NOT when the fires are raging & you have to evacuate immediately. Or when you need to get to a vet to save your horse's life. It needs to be done with no pressure and no timelines. Regularly.

I know 99.9% of horse owners just want the best for their horses, but not doing this work is causing your horse way more stress than calmly teaching them to box.

Every stressful encounter with a box exponentially increases the problem. So you can bully them in once, but next time you have a bigger problem & when you really need to evacuate ( like we did last night ) you are in deep trouble. And this is harsh, but the stress you put your horse under when the p**p hits the fan? thats on you.

So please dear horse owners, do the responsible thing for your horse. Teach them to calmly load into a box.

There is a lot of help out there. Any yard owner worth their salt should be able to help you get started. There are many professionals who can help you. I can help you.
There are lots of techniques, find what works for you & your horse.

Off the top of my head, here are a few names that can help.
Lara Snyman
Gareth Mare
Louise Collier
Kristi Butler
Janine van der Merwe @ equilibrium equestrian

21/11/2025

I can't recommend Lara Snyman enough. Way back in 2016 when I didnt know enough to know what I didnt know, Lara came to stay with me and helped me with 3 unbacked Arab mares. Those mares ended up being the cornerstone of our herd, and Lara's teachings ended up being a corner stone of my horsemanship journey. We are so quick to follow international masters, but we have this absolute gem of a horsewoman right here in our midsts. Honestly, do yourself a favour and immerse yourself in Lara's work. She is unapologeically 100% pro-horse. She speaks uncomfortable truths many in the horse industry avoid due to risking their popularity.
Book now, go, you wont regret it & your horse will thank you!
Ibalansi Horse Center-pty ltd.

09/10/2025

Let me reintroduce myself.

In a number of comments people referred to the author of Heartfelt Horsemanship posts as "she".. So here goes..

My name is Gareth Mare' and I am from South Africa.
I call myself an Animal Behaviorist but it's not all science and behavior, so "interspecies relationship counsellor" may be a better description.
My first fall off a horse, as a kid, sent me down a path of questioning what we accept as normal in the horse world.
It was off a horse I had grown up with. He loved me as much as I loved him and would seek me out as we wandered around the farm.
How could this horse want to hurt me?

I have learned a lot over the decades since, looking outside of an industry that accepts dangerous falls as par for the course.

I studied Animal Sciences, Zoology, Ethology, Wildlife management, Equine Psychology and CPD courses in Psychology and Neurochemistry.
I spent time with wilde herds, and wildlife..

All of this has me believe that the safety statistics of equine sports don't need to be the horror story they currently are.
I believe with the new focus in addressing the species appropriate needs of horses, and being aware of their stress indicators, and establishing calm, fair communication with horses, there are 4 years that will start riding today that might ride well into their 90's without ever falling off a horse.

I can hear the chorus of " horses are just spooky and unpredicatible, falls are part of riding' through my phone as I type.

Based on the information I have gathered over the years, I disagree.
Horses are not intrinsically spooky.
Spooky implies that at rest they arebin constant state of vigilance looking for signs of danger. Watch a herd of horses in group turn out in large paddocks, they aren't jumping at every gust if wind, or rabbits hopping along their way.
That hyper vigilant spookiness is the result of putting horses in human situations they are not prepared for. Most of these situations are designed for human convenience with no consideration for the horse.
As for unpredictability, this is demonstrably and scientifically proven to be false. Horses exhibit clear stress indicators before entering a state of flight or fight. Equestrians have just been taught to ignore those signs and ' put on their big girl pants" since their first ever riding lesson.
If your love of riding is rooted in an adrenaline addiction, I am probably not your cup of tea, but if you are after a safe, happy and relaxed equestrian connection, based on a balancebof science, soul and sensibility... I have a Patreon account and offer one on one video consultation.
I also put out content on here and on YouTube as often as possible,
I do in-person sessions with your horse withing the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa, and welcome guests from around the world to come learn with our horses
Drop a comment, or a PM.. Or email [email protected]

17/03/2025

Wanting to join us for our final Social ride on the 13th of April?

Please join the whatsapp group, but clicking this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LlIAsxztDn3BpyxgFxR6D9

Need more information?

UBUNTU HORSE TRAILS SOCIAL RIDE

Date: 13/04/2024

Arrival time: 9 for 9:30

Start Time 10 AM Bums in seats

Duration: Approx 2 Hours

Location: Vredenheim Estate

Directions to horses: Enter Vredenheim off Baden powell drive via main gate. At T junction turn right. Then first left.

Where to park: We will make a paddock available for box parking. It will be tight, so please be considerate of space.

Cost: R200 All proceeds to Cape Hunt Club

Closing date: Wednesday 09/04/2025, OR when we reach capacity

Horses for hire: Cost R1000 per horse, excluding Ride fee.

Payments to: Louise Collier
Capitec
1461337400

POP TO: Whatsapp on 0799624627

Group size: Ride will be capped at 30 horses. First paid up will be given priority.

Link To join whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LlIAsxztDn3BpyxgFxR6D9



LUNCH: Bring a picnic and join us for the afternoon. We will have fires going. NO OWN ALCOHOL PLEASE

FAQS
How do I book? Send Louise a whatsapp and POP. 079 962 4627

What information should I put in whatsapp: Rider name, rider age, rider ability, horse name. POP Reference. Special requests.

Is the Ground stoney? No, not really

How fast will it be: Not hunting pace, but faster than a walk

Will there be paddocks afterwards? Yes

Can I bring kids? Yes, As long as you look after them.

Can we visit the cat park? Yes, usual entrance fees apply

Can we buy wine from farm? Yes please, I will have wine here to buy. Anyone bringing their own alcohol will be asked to leave.

Can we bring our own drinks? No, the farm has a liquor license and no own alcolhol is allowed.

Can spectators follow in vehicles? Not for the ride unfortunately.

They can enjoy the farm and join us for lunch after the ride.

What will the 'challenges' be? You need to ,Copycat, photographs, but we will explain more on the day.

11/03/2025

SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday 13th April 2025

Ubuntu Horse trails is metamorphosizing & to mark the end of this season in our lives, we are having one last Social ride.

Join us for a farewell ride at Vredenheim Wine Estate. Bring your own horse and join us for a fun ride to celebrate the end of an era.
There will be some fun 'challenges' along the way, where you have to pose for pictures in certain spots, and certain poses. With prizes for the closest copycat!

Ride will start at 10 am, followed lunch, more details to follow.

R200 entry, with all proceeds going to the Cape Hunt Club.

I will have a few horses available to lease on the day, please contact me directly.

03/03/2025

We had some very cool company on the beach today!
Never have I ever seen a colony of African penguins through the ears of a horse!
What a cool day!

17/02/2025

A little gift to the Adventure hungry friends out there.

This is a documentary made by Dan James from Double Dan Horsemanship about the Gaucho Derby 2024.

Just watching this is mind blowing, can't even imagine those landscapes!

Thanks Warwick Schiller for sharing!

You're welcome

The Incredible ride of a lifetime, though the Argentina wilderness of Patagonia where 41 riders from around the world took the challenge to race.

02/02/2025

We dont do this often enough!!
Beach ride with two of our youngsters yesterday!
Both of them did really well, both bitless & very very soft. Could not be prouder of Spring Rain ( grey ) and African Sky ( Buckskin )

02/02/2025

And so we say goodbye to another one of wonderful volunteers! I love sharing our passion with like minded legends from around the world. Every single person who comes across our path brings so many gifts. Amanda, you have been such a huge gift, we loved having you!

05/09/2024

We have 2 new additions to the Ubuntu family! They’re 9 week old Miniture schmauzers. Pepper and Oriah. You’ll meet them when you come riding with us!