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Horse trail
riding with Mkulu Kei horse trails will take you across what can only
described as be the best riding countryside. Awesome ocean views,
variation of bridle paths, no fences and pristine beaches of the Wild
Coast in South Africa. Being one of the few stables that offer horse
riding lessons in an informal environment, we get you comfortable
in the saddle and around horses on the ground. From there you can
find a stable yard in the area you live to help you with the finer
points of equestrian horse riding. To do this we have a holistic approach
to our horses, we work with nature and not against it. Our horses
must want to work; we must have a bond with them. By putting ourselves
in the position of a matriarch we can communicate with our horses
so as a first time rider you can get your balance in the saddle and
then take the controls. As an advanced rider you will be amazed at
how well trained our horses are. Our horse training starts the day
the foal is born, the sooner we can bond with the foal the better.
As the mother is so relaxed with us the foal soon learns that the
two legged members of the herd are not scary. With the help of every
horse in the herd the foals mature into relaxed happy healthy working
horses.
Mkulu Kei horseback safaris South
Africa along the South African, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast. For
your premier horseback riding vacations, African horse treking
adventure and working horse riding holiday destination.
"A real ride to many places at any paces"
Awesome hacking conditions, the best horse riding countryside.
On your horse riding working holiday at Mkulu Kei horse trails you
will get a great insight into horse care, our training methods and
the equine tourism industry. The homestead is the hub of Mkulu Kei
it is where our foals are conceived, our foals are born, and the training
of young horses starts. At the homestead we work on the finer equestrian
training, flatwork, lunging, schooling of horses, arena work and jumping.
Volunteering on your working holiday at a riding and breeding establishment
will give you the opportunity to work with horses of all ages. Helping
with the children’s pony camps, both in and out the saddle.
Horse riding holiday with us a combination of horse riding safaris,
equine beach riding an unspoiled pristine coastline, working and
training horses at a going established stud farm and riding stable.
The Wild Coast, a scenic coast experienced on horseback.
Our horses run in natural herds in huge camps where we do
not interfere with the pecking order and social structure. In
the herd they are allowed to be natural horses although they
come in once a day during which time they are fed, groomed and
handled. The natural herd disciplines wayward youngsters and
over zealous family members, resulting in whole, happy and content
horses, allowing each horse to develop their own personality.
When trained the dominant, more confident, horses are encouraged
to be horses for advanced riders and the quieter personalities
naturally become the horses used for the beginner riders and
are happy to follow the ride.
All horses retired on the
farm like Major, Tom Thumb, Strike, King Arthur,
Holly, Grey Mist, Sun Dance and Goldie
receive the same care and attention as any of our horses. I
prefer nature to take its course but intervene if the horse
is in pain.
Whether you dream of riding along open Savannah grasslands,
pristine coastal forests or unspoiled Wild Coast beaches, there's
a Mkulu Kei Horse Trail that suits your available time, riding
level and budget ...
Retired Horses
Grey Mist
Flemish X
Born: 1990
16.1hh
Steel Grey
Grey Mist was the sort of horse that would be
pictured on the front of coffee table books. When he retired
he was still an exceptional ride, bold, forward moving, always
with his neck beautifully arched. He was a superb trail horse
but would be equally at home in a dressage arena. Someone put
a lot of work into his advanced training and probably not what
one would expect to find on trail. He swam and jumped anything
you ask, always gave every ounce of himself.
Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Intermediate+-Experienced
Unfortunately Grey has aged fast and sadly
the time has come to retire him, although he rides like a
horse half his age with all the enthusiasm of his youth, he
drops condition very quickly. He is his own worst enemy and
uses so much energy on a ride we can’t get him back
into condition.
Both our international and national professional sporting
equestrian riders expressed surprise at the quality of horse
Grey Mist was. He still has the pure controlled energy he
had in his youth. Total control, but he needs to learn to
enjoy his retirement, but his head and his body are not in
the same place and wants to be ridden.
A horse that has played a huge part in Mkulu Kei Horse Trails
and terribly missed as a special, loved, working horse.
Holly
Arab X
Born: 1982
14.0 hh
Grey
Holly a schooled, pretty, Old lady, MAD as a hatter,
HOT as hell, and she had no brakes, a hard working mare giving
us every ounce of herself she felt like a horse three times
her height. Very, very forward moving with a floating action
Holly could turn on a postage stamp and she could not stand
still. Holly would go anywhere we asked and only had one pace
Go, Now!
Holly has had extensive damage to her mouth prior to being in
our care! We presume she was ridden with a piece of wire as
a bit! Holly could only be ridden, by very experienced riders
although she is schooled and totally obedient, she loved to
go at full pace at all times, there are not many horses even
three times her size that can match Holly at the walk or trot
– a power walk or trot. Once you had a foot in the stirrup
Holly could not stand still, Cheryl would have loved to have
had her as a young horse, they would and still do make magic.
Sire: unknown.
Dam: unknown.
Experienced Only
Despite her size a machine not a horse.
Cheryl personally used her as the lead horse for many
years and has huge respect and love for her. As a Matriarch
mare and Cheryl’s soul mate she was valuable to
her and for many years her mount of choice. The backbone
to our business. Sadly missed as a working horse and a
hard act to follow.
A horse that can't retire, I just can’t ride her
any longer; she still has loads of energy and now stirs
up trouble in the herd. She has been known to move the
entire herd to a paddock of her choice. Sadly she cannot
conceive a foal.
Jamaica
Grey
Born: 1993
15.0 hh
Arab X
Jamaica a schoolmaster an easy
ride, with sweet nature and honest temperament. A mature
gentle mare for the beginner or a nervous rider. Jamaica
is easy to work with both in the saddle and on the ground.
Jamaica loved to jump, show her a jumping course and even
if your approach was incorrect and took each jump. In
a utility lesson with bending poles, jumps and trotting
poles she would finish the course
even if the rider were not using the reins for direction, she
watches and listened to our instructions and just did the course.
A wonderful first pony.
She gave us two lovely colts, Excalibur, and Captain Morgan
and stunning filly Caribbean all with their mother's gentle
personality and attitude to work.
A Horse Ride Through Sub-Tropical
Coastal Hills and Riverines to the Beaches of the Wild Coast
in South Africa, a horse trekking holiday, with so much more.
Come Ride with Us ...
…and
you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and thick-forested
valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to rivers
that eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic
high rise cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make the
Wild Coast in South Africa one of the most beautiful places
in the world. An incredible combination of cross-country horse
riding and the exploration of our beautiful coastline.
And what better to experience South Africa's beautiful
coastline than on the back of a horse…
We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged
would like to say a big Thank you to all our guests for sending
us their horse trekking photos, these are your holiday memories.
Thank You.
Cheryl
P O Box 25, Haga Haga 5272,
Eastern Cape, South Africa.
During the day please contact me on the cell, I am
probably horsing around.
Signal can be irregular, please leave a message or phone
me on the landline in the evenings.
…and
you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and thick-forested
valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to rivers
that eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic
high rise cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make the
Wild Coast in South Africa one of the most beautiful places
in the world. An incredible combination of cross-country horse
riding and the exploration of our beautiful coastline. 
