Interview with Georgie who set up the Horse Rehabilitation project
Project & Pod News / 18 September 2024
We loved chatting to Georgie who set up and runs the Horse Rehabilitation project in South Africa. We found out all about her lifelong love for horses, how she started up the project and her favourite local spots in South Africa.
She’s an absolutely incredible woman who has given her life to helping horses and our volunteers love getting to know her and her family when they join the team.
How long have you been helping horses in South Africa and can you let me know how you set up the project?
My daughter Penny and I have been involved with horses most of our lives but made a total commitment back in April 1998. I'd worked with horses when I left school years ago in the UK and have had a lifelong passion for them.
I moved to Africa in the early 1970s, and had always said that when the kids were bigger I'd start working with horses again. Eventually that came true - I was with my girls, who were in their teens, and as they had the same passion as I had, we started running horse beach and bush trails.
We started up with £150 sent for my birthday that year by my Mum and Dad and we bought a horse called Scotia, an Anglo Arab. Being a single Mum, money was an issue, and I was still working so couldn't afford horses in fine stead - so we decided to buy and rescue abused or sick horses and build them up. The next horses we got were two old farm horses, Bless and Lady.
Over the years we got a name for ourselves and locals called us the 'Equine Squatter Camp' - and word travels fast in the horse world. Soon we had people contacting us to say ‘this poor horse needs help and that poor horse needs to be rescued’…we would go and rescue as many as we could afford to look after.
Thankfully, most of the horses we have rescued have been able to be rehabilitated. These go on and join the trail horses, hence our motto: 'Horses Working for Horses'. The trail horses help finance their newly rescued friends on the farm. Prior to Covid when we had over 50 horses here we also had volunteers, which helped us have a sustainable income.
The aftermath of the pandemic has seen volunteer numbers fall, but we're still managing to feed and maintain 31 horses at the centre with the help of the beach trails and volunteers that believe in what we do.
What would you say to volunteers who are considering volunteering with you?
When volunteering with us you're supporting horses that need your help. You'll be involved with horses that need that extra TLC and human contact. It's not for the faint-hearted, and it's hard work feeding, watering, checking, grooming, and tacking up. Riding is the ‘cherry on the top’ - riding next to the Indian Ocean at a hidden gem on the Wild Coast.
Join us for a life changing experience for both you and our horses. Depending on your experience and length of stay, there's a project here for you.
I do mention hard work but there's also fun times local game reserves and local activities, Extreme Waves is fun and you can hopefully to see dolphins and whales.
If you enjoy playing games then we've a pool table and a dartboard at the farm and we have a local Backpackers pub bistro bar where Penny will take you to meet other local and international tourists.
What’s your favourite place to visit locally?
Within driving distance there is the stunning Addo Elephant park, which is a fantastic diverse wildlife conservation reserve (with lots of elephants!). Penny can take you on an overnight trip and it's an amazing trip where you can see lots of wild animals on safari.
Plus we have one of the highest bungie jumps in the world only a day's drive from us. Hogsback is another place of interest - a historical village founded in 1820 by settlers in the Amatola Mountains, with lots of African wildlife nearby, especially baboons and birds. This is where J.R.R. Tolkien spent part of his early childhood - if you visit there, you'll see where his stories come from!
What’s your favourite dish that you make for volunteers?
Definitely Saturday night Braii - no matter what your dietary requirements are! This is called a barbecue in most countries - but here in South Africa we call it a braii, and along with that goes 'pap and gravy' toasties, salads, a few drinks and games. Come and join us for more fun!
