“Save Our Wild Horses” Funding Request
WHY DO WE NEED FUNDING?
The Kaapschehoop wild horses are a unique phenomenon due to them not being owned by anyone and roams across large areas that are not fenced. There are various theories surrounding their origins. Some believe they are descendants of horses abandoned by British forces during the Anglo-Boer War (1899 – 1902). Others believe they were left behind by fortune seekers during the Kaapschehoop gold rush, when mining camps faded, and settlers moved on. Some of the horses are also believed to have been left on the escarpment by individuals over the years, and that these horses joined the wild horses. Be that as it may, they stay shrouded in mystery.
The Village volunteers try to keep eyes on these horses over a very large area (more than 13 000 hectares and around 600km of dirt roads) which spans across Sappi (South African Pulp and Paper Industrie Ltd), Safcol (South African Forestry Company SOC Ltd) and DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) properties, as well as the Kaapschehoop Village and surrounding area.
Some of the residents of Kaapschehoop have taken it upon themselves, from a volunteering perspective, to look out for these horses as far as possible regarding their wellness. Our principle is that only when human actions results in injury or sickness will the volunteers try to assist an injured or sick animal and bring in veterinary services where necessary. Our motto is “Help us keep our horses wild”. A lot of the wellness time and effort spent on the horses are self-funded, with further support through the continuous donations from the residents themselves and other horse loving donors.
Over the last couple of years, we have experienced a steep decline in our horse numbers due to African horse sickness, road accidents, veldfires and poaching. Unfortunately, poaching incidents have been steadily growing and is now further threatening the survival of our horses.
Our horse numbers have declined from around 180 in 2020 to only 36 horses currently. If we don’t urgently intervene in their security, they might be lost to all of us soon due to the low numbers left. The model of “informally” looking out for our wild horses is not sustainable anymore against poaching and requires urgent security solutions to be put in place to ensure their future.
Can we save them with the current low numbers? YES, but the growth in their numbers will be very slow and needs time over many years in an environment of protection.
WE NEED TO BUY TIME.
WHAT WILL THE FUNDING BE USED FOR?
Wild Horse SECURITY:
As a formal response to try preventing further poaching incidents as far as possible, the following efforts have been made and/or are in progress:
A forensic wildlife investigator was appointed to support gathering relevant information towards building a criminal case. These cases take time but some good inroads have been made and the gathering of relevant information is ongoing.
The poaching incident was reported to Ngodwana SAPS; a case has been opened and transferred to the stock theft unit and is ongoing.
Interim thermal drone support is provided by the SAPPI Security team as and when requested. We do however need a long-term thermal drone support solution.
The Kaapschehoop mountain rangers (all volunteers) are conducting continuous patrols in the surrounding areas and plantations (with supporting permits from Safcol). The patrols have proven very successful in monitoring our horses as well as various other wildlife in the area.
Security trail cameras for monitoring key areas have been set up (as donated by Villagers and Private donors). These are also very successful in monitoring any suspicious activity.
The further building and leveraging our relationships with our surrounding communities and businesses to collectively look after our horses have been very successful. We are looking out for each other, the wild horses, wildlife and the environment. The layered security ultimately benefits us all.
Further needs:
A sponsored 4 x 4 vehicle / vehicles with fuel will help tremendously in covering the large horse roaming areas, and especially more difficult to reach areas. Not all volunteers have 4 x 4 vehicles and are limited to specific areas they can reach.
Electronic tagging and tracking of horses. The best methods are in process of being researched with industry experts. It will assist tremendously in monitoring the vast area the horses roam in.
Formal foot patrols on the ground that will cover the large horse roaming area 24/7 and be our eyes and ears on the ground (we will need to provide them with the relevant communication tools, weatherproof clothing, transport and accommodation accordingly).
Wild Horse WELLNESS
The current work of supporting sick or injured horses or foals will continue as always. This requires veterinary support continuously.
The indirect impact of poaching (especially when a stallion is poached), is that new stallions will eventually take over the mares. Any new foals can struggle through this process as they land in the middle of a “battle” and gets injured.
With the last poaching incident, where the Village stallion was one of the horses poached, a battle did play out over many weeks between stallions to take over the Village herd. We had various injured horses that required veterinary care. Due to their very low numbers, we will try support any injured horse as far as possible.
The Blue Swallow reserve (where a lot of our horses’ roam) has old open mine shafts (dating back from the alluvion gold rush in the 1880s). We need to fence these off to protect the horses from falling in.
Our surrounding community, businesses and private donors have stepped up in many ways for our horses since the last poaching incident in Sept 2025, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
However, all the efforts towards saving our horses and buying time for their future will require large funding to ensure an environment of protection for the growth in our horse population.
HOW WILL THE “Save our wild horses” PROJECT BE MANAGED?
Kaaschehoop village is a registered Conservancy and managed by the Kaapschehoop Conservancy (KHC) committee. We are also now tax exempt (a registered PBO at SARS) and can provide Section 18A certificates for donors.
The project will be managed by the KHC Committee. All donations will be formally managed as part of the Kaapschehoop Conservancy financials (Audited by Frontier Accounting services).
The Conservancy Banking details:
Kaapschehoop Conservancy
Absa Bank
Savings Account: 912 061 9813
Branch Code: 632 005
Reference: Save our horses
Please send a proof of payment to kaapschehoopvillage@gmail.com and with a contact number (as we would love to thank you!)
WHAT BENEFITS DO WE ALL GET BY SAVING THE WILD HORSES?
You will help save these wild horses that have been part of the rich history of the area. Protecting a national asset. And protecting them for future generations.
You will help conserve our wild horses, wildlife and environment in the eastern escarpment, which attracts tourism to the area, contributing to sustaining guest houses, restaurants, and tourism activities in Kaapschehoop and surrounding areas, sustaining a multitude of jobs (in a country where job shedding has reached dire levels).
Not only the horses are being poached. Other indigenous animals (it includes duikers, reedbuck, bushbuck, klipspringers, civets, servals, African wild cats, jackal, dassies, mongooses, baboons, vervet monkeys, and many more) and plants (Kaapschehoop fynbos and aloes) in the surrounding areas and nature reserve are under threat.
We look forward to your participation in a project close to all our hearts.
Help us keep our horses wild
Please send us an email to kaapschehoopvillage@gmail.com if you would like more information.
