Drakensberg Excursions

Exciting Horse Safaris in the Kamberg region of the Drakensberg.

Appaloosa horses will take you into the mounatins to enjoy the views.

Horse rides can be customised to suite you, however, the more popular options are:

The Day trail - usually lasting about 4 hours.

The 2 day trail - staying overnight in tents in the mountains, or in accommodation and riding back the next day.

The trails are guided by an experienced guide and horseman.

There are breathtaking views and all sorts of game - eland , reedbuck, bushbuck, duiker, jackal and wonderful bird life.

Contact Rick or Trisha

Tel.& Fax 033 2677227     Cell. 0829322255

The Appaloosa's heritage is as colorful and unique as its coat pattern.

Usually noticed and recognized because of its spots and splashes of color, the abilities and beauty of this breed are more than skin deep.

Humans have recognized and appreciated spotted horses throughout history. Ancient cave drawings dating as far back as 20,000 years ago in what is now France depict spotted horses, as do later detailed images in Asian and Chinese art.

The Spanish introduced horses to North America as they explored the Americas.

Eventually, as these horses found their way into the lives of Indians and were traded to other tribes, their use spread until most of the Native American populations in the Northwest were mounted (about 1710).

The Nez Perce (Neemeepoo) of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho became especially sophisticated horsemen, and their mounts, which included many spotted individuals, were prized and envied by other tribes. Historians believe they were the first tribe to breed selectively for specific traits - intelligence and speed - keeping the best, and trading away those that were less desirable.

When white settlers came to the Northwest Palouse region, they called the spotted horses "Palouse horses" or "a Palouse horse." Over time the name was shortened and slurred to "Appalousey" and finally "Appaloosa."

In 1877, "Chief Joseph" Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt (1840-1904), led several hundred of his people in an attempt to elude the U.S. Cavalry and avoid war by seeking asylum in Canada. For over three months, the band of about 700, fewer than 200 of whom were warriors, fought 2,000 U.S. soldiers and Indian auxiliaries in four major battles and numerous skirmishes.

The Nez Perce mounted on their appaloosa horses out ran the U.S. Cavalry through rough mountainous country for 1400 miles. Finally, on October 5, 1877, in northern Montana, just 40 miles short of refuge in Canada, the band negotiated surrender.

After the Nez Perce surrender, the horses not taken as spoils of war by the U.S. Cavalry were dispersed amongst white settlers or left to wander. The descendents of these horses found their way into the early Quarter Horse bloodlines. Hence, we have spotted 'quarter horses' cropping up from time to time. American foundation sires Joker B, Wapiti and Quadroon are examples of these unexpected crop-outs.

In 1938, a group of stockmen in the north-western United States, concerned that these trim, hardy horses were in danger of becoming a lost breed, formed the Appaloosa Horse Club to preserve the Appaloosa horse. The dream of these far-sighted men is realised.

The Appaloosa Horse Club now has affiliate Appaloosa clubs and registries in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and of course, Australia. The Appaloosa is truly an 'International Breed'.