Cart Horse Protection Association

PROTECTING THE WORKING CART HORSE

FROM ABUSE

NEWS BULLETIN / OCTOBER 2007

Bountiful Bequest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest & Rehabilitation in sight for these horses

 

March 2006 brought the surprise of a lifetime. Staff were gobsmacked when presented with a cheque made out to CHPA in the amount of R3 061 811.74 - a bequest from the late Bertha Theresia Van Vliet.

Everyone in turn counted the noughts to make sure they were not dreaming. Inspector Diana who was working at Mandalay Clinic when the cheque arrived, insisted it be photographed and sent to her via cell phone, as she suspected a practical joke! This amazing and unexpected windfall is enabling CHPA to start realising the long held dream of establishing a rehabilitation centre.

 

Now, due to insufficient stabling and paddock space, we are limited in the number of horses that can be taken off the road for rehabilitation and/or prosecution. In the latter case, horses have to be kept at a designated place of safety until the case is concluded. An extreme example is that of the Van Niekerk case, which still drags on after three years. This owner is facing no less than 127 charges of animal abuse involving 8 horses, at a cost to us of almost R100,000 so far, this cost incurred by having to pay for boarding the horses until the case is finalised - hopefully by the end of September this year.

 

Acquiring the rehabilitation centre will enable us to offer a safe haven for horses in need of rest and rehabilitation, as well as for foaling mares. Inspectors will be in a position to take any horse of the road, be it

abused, overloaded, overworked or underweight. This will go a long way to getting rid of bad elements in the carting industry.

 

The present Clinic and Training Centre will remain our headquarters, and service provision will continue as usual.

 

 

 

 

Netreg Pilot Project Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cart numberplates are ready and waiting. Custom made, they carry the owners name and address, and horse registration number. All materials for the carts themselves have been sourced and secured by Megan -our famous fundraiser, who was severely technically challenged by this project. She is now able to tell the difference between a nut and a bolt!

A first consignment of material has been handed to the cart builders, an exciting start and huge first step towards regulating the carting industry.

To all who invested in this project via 'Greater Good SA,' your social returns will soon be out there for all to see.

 

FIELD REPORT

Double Trouble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naughty enjoying a munch and a well earned rest!

 

Naughty, featured in the December 2006 newsletter, made headlines again, when police called Diana after receiving a 10111 call from a concerned supporter, outraged at the sight of Naughty on Modderdam Bridge pulling a load consisting of an entire car plus the cab of a bakkie. The maximum load 11hh Naughty is permitted to pull is 500kg. This load was found to weigh just under 1000kg!

The story unfolded when Diana arrived, removed Naughty from the shafts and sent the drivers to call owner Mr Louw who lives nearby. It transpired that the usual drivers were being held in Guguletu by people who alleged that their car had been scratched by Naughty's cart. The 'new' drivers who pleaded ignorance of the permitted load, were made to pull the cart to the nearest scrap metal yard and pay the confiscation fee, whilst Naughty was taken to the Clinic and Training centre for a well deserved rest, and kept there at Mr. Louw's request until his regular drivers were back at work.

 

Booked Off!

Over the past two months the following horses have been booked off the road for either being under condition, lame or having harness wounds. The length of time is dependent on the severity of the condition. Every horse that is booked off MUST be brought to the clinic to be passed fit to work before they are allowed back on the road.

Noortjie, Sandy, Coffee, Creamy, Mosco, Stella, Anita, Rubin, Peter, Sultan, Tima, Hammerkop, Rambo, Whiskey, Nancy, Roxy, Blondie, Patience, Dora, Rabia, JR and Ore.

Black Horse and Molly have been booked off the road permanently!                             

 

 

 

Queenie - Slashed by a Sadist

An early morning call from a concerned neighbour, alerted CHPA to Queenie's plight - reported as "a hole in the face". Inspector Diana and new field worker Karen, rushed to Netreg where they found Queenie trembling from pain and shock in her stable, with an horrendous gash on her face. The wound appeared to have been inflicted by a deliberately wielded knife or panga. After being calmed down, Queenie was loaded and taken to the SPCA for veterinary attention. Given her young age, it was decided that the wound could and should be repaired. To date, the owner has neither enquired after Queenie's welfare, nor paid his share of the costs, so it is likely that the mare will be suitably rehomed to enjoy a better - and safer -life in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queenie’s wound appeared to have been inflicted by a deliberately wielded knife or panga.

 

A day at the races

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         

Avontuur Estate has chosen the Cart Horse Protection Association as their charity for the 2007 Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas Race Day at Kenilworth on 1 December 2007. Tickets cost….and include……..For more information or bookings call Megan on 021 535 3435 or email chpamw@mweb.co.za

 

Avontuur Estate is situated on the southwestern slopes of the Helderberg on the R44 road which connects Somerset West and Stellenbosch, in South Africa's prime wine growing district, the Taberer family has owned the estate since 1983. The estate boasts a cozy tasting room where all of our wines are available, as well as a restaurant offering a Mediterranean-inspired a' la carte menu with daily and seasonal specials. Patrons are welcome to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the view over False Bay or in front of the fireplace. Lying restfully amongst the vines on the estate is the beautiful Avontuur Stud Farm where the emphasis has always been on quality rather than quantity. In fact, Avontuur's premier range of wines bears testimony to four of the finest horses to have passed through the farm. Baccarat (Bordeaux blend), Luna de Miel (Chardonnay Reserve), Minelli (Pinot Noir Reserve) and Sarabande (Sauvignon Blanc Reserve) live on in the wonderful wines which are nurtured in our cellars. For more information on the Estate, please visit our website on www.avontuurestate.co.za or contact us on Telephone +27 21 855 3450 or Fax +27 21 855 4600.