The new Highveld Horsecare Unit site is more than just a website: it’s a community, a gathering place for like minds and all those who care about the welfare of horses in South Africa; for those who want to contribute in some way, no matter how small, to making their lives better.

The Highveld Horse Care Unit is a Section 21 Company in its own right, responsible for its own management, funding and operations, and is the largest equine welfare organisation in the Southern hemisphere.

We received a very serious complaint of cruelty at a Hackney Stud in N Cape.

“Being a horse owner myself these images have horrified & shocked me,  never in my 40+ years in the equine business, have I seen anything so torturous. For anyone who doesn’t know what Rolkur or hyperflexion is, watch the video below. Look carefully at the horses face, his eye’s & his tounge etc. A horse would never bend like this naturally & would never restrict his vision, being a prey animal, which is why it is torture for any horse. 

“The video caused a storm when it was posted to You tube. Some even threatened to boycott the 2012 Olympic equestrian event, which is expected to attract 23,000 spectators. 
“The FEI recognises a distinction between rollkur and the riding of the horse in a deep outline, not achieved by force. Horse sport bosses have agreed that hyperflexion or “rollkur” is not acceptable in the warm-up at international events.

“The pictures below are from the Hackney Stud farm in N.Cape.  Apparently the so-called trainer trainer, thought when the horses weren’t being ridden & forced into rolkur or hyperflexion, he would use bale band to tie the horses mouths to their chest! The trainer used these heinous training methods at 2 hour intervals. Bail band tied around horses mouth & tied up for 2 hours, then taken off for 2 hours , 2 hours tied up, 2 hours off etc. etc. He has probably damaged those horses for life!“

Grotesque downright torture

(neck-binding…. supposed to make the horse sweat and break down the muscle)

Bobbie and Ashley have just returned from their trip – and what they found was absolutely appalling. Tell your friends about this site and encourage them to sign up. Comment on our photos – everything you do to make people more aware helps.

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via HACKNEY STUD INSPECTION – N CAPE.