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X Friesian |
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| Atlas has his mother’s huge Roman nose,
huge ears and solid legs that go up and up, and his father’s
gentle personality. He is an affectionate colt with a big heart
of gold.
Atlas is at present growing, growing and growing. At a year he was taller than the 3 year olds and will still continue to grow for 3-4 more years. Our gentle giant. He was the biggest foal I have ever seen at birth! If I had not pulled Atlas out at birth he would not have made it or been a “Dummy foal” (term used for brain damaged at birth). Even then he is not the sharpest tool in the shed or maybe it just takes a long, long time for any messages from his brain to the rest of his body. At birth he stood the same height as an average Friesian
6 month old and his hocks matched his mothers in size. Atlas
gaining control of his long legs and standing was very funny
but a very serious matter for him. Because he could not stand
he could not drink. His first feed was a bottle milked from
his very patient mother. As a result he bonded with us. A foal should stand on its own for the first time within an hour, (some 15 minutes others 2 hours) and suck as soon as possible. It is extremely important that the foal in its first suck takes in a substantial quantity of colostrums. The foal’s mother’s antibodies in the colostrums are absorbed into the foal’s blood stream, once protein has been swallowed; the pathway is blocked to further transfer. It is extremely important that the foal absorbs the antibodies to start his healthy life A foal is attracted towards dark under surfaces – udder, some foals become attached to attendants or even a tree rather than their mother. |
Sire : Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion Dam: Nikita Intermediate-Experienced 
Mounting him, especially the first time, proved interesting. How do you back a horse if you can’t get on? It has been suggested we make him his own saddle with portable stepladder just in case you fall off in the field. Atlas is a typical teenager, all limbs and still trying to
use them in a co-ordinated way. Although he looks like he
will rattle apart when he moves he will in time grow into
himself, and his long legs cover a remarkable stretch of ground
with each stride and very little effort. A big boy with big
strides. During the last high season Atlas has really matured
into a good ride, we decided to wait a while before gelding
him so he can use the testosterone to bulk up. He goes well
for a male rider who seems to bring out the best in him but
happy even as a stallion to have a young female rider. 
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| Bestman not withstanding his height,
is one of our best weight carriers. He looks like a Thelwell
pony, short and stocky with a huge thick mane falling on both
sides of his neck and is strong, surefooted, bold and nifty.
Unfortunately Bestman is starting to show us his age and have
stopped him carrying the heavy clients.
He loves to swim deep into the waves. A horse with oodles
of personality, not a horse that will ever bore you. A very
popular ride with both adults and children and a horse we
use on lead rein with riders under 6 years, as he ponies nicely
next to any horse. Bestman loves attention especially from
little people. |
Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Intermediate-Experienced |
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| Blaze has a short stocky build, sway back and one folded ear from an infection and Screwworm he had before we purchased him. | Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Beginner-Intermediate |
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| He is a great ride for a beginner rider. Moves conservatively with comfortable paces, particularly his rocking horses canter. Often the horse that is selected to give a rider their first experience at the canter. As Blaze is voice controlled and wants to please he has taken several 5-year-old riders on their first canter. Blaze started his life called Hitler and I believe was a difficult horse to work with. Blaze as we have always known him, is a sweet heart and a lot younger than he looks, he aged after contracting African Horse sickness. A wonderful easy ride but is showing us signs it is getting close to his retirement.Blaze contracted African Horse Sickness, a terrible viral disease that kills hundreds of horses in Africa each year. It was impossible in my opinion that he would make it, but he did. He pulled himself from hell in incredible pain back to us. Blaze aged in looks since the Horse Sickness.
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This disease is spread by insects Culcoides (midges) however there is evidence that this disease can also be transmitted by species of mosquitoes and ticks.
Horses are the most susceptible host with close to 95% mortality, Zebras and donkeys are thought to be the carriers.
Pulmonary form of the disease is characterised by high fever, depression and respiratory symptoms. The clinically affected animal has trouble breathing, starts coughing, frothy fluid from nostril and mouth, and shows Serious lung congestion causes respiratory failure and results in death in under 24 hours. This form of the disease has the highest mortality rate.
Cardiac form has a longer incubation period showing signs in 7-12 days after infection. High fever is a common characteristic. The disease also manifests as conjunctivitis with abdominal pain and progressive difficulty in breathing. Additionally, oedema, presented under the skin of the head and neck: most notably around the eyes. Mortality rate is between 50-70% and survivors recover in 7 days.
Mixed form
Diagnosis is made at post-mortem exam Affected horses show signs
of both the pulmonary and cardiac forms of AHS.
TO DATE THERE IS NO TREATMENT.
| Bliss a striking young black gelding
that started his a working career in the height of the Christmas
season.
Showing potential as a great big, trail horse for the taller, but not heavy clients, as Bliss has a roached back (there is an upward curve of the back and loin) making his stride a little shorter. He is a very affectionate, a people pleaser, and a bold sweet
natured horse. A big gentle soul that loves people and has
a lot of his father’s personality and if you let him
he will lick you. Bliss has started his next level of training
and is already on the bit and confident if asked to ride an
alternative path Bliss does not go well for a nervous rider
he is inclined to feed of the nerves put your leg on and he
moves forward willingly. Bliss has matured well in the last
few weeks and much more mature in his approach to work, he
really puts his best foot forward for confident riders but
is not as skittish in the wind. |
Sire: Prince. Reg. Friesian Stallion Dam: Bess Intermediate-Experienced |
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| Buckle a big bay gelding, a weight carrier who is very economical with his effort. He will take you from A to B safely with no frills. He is honest, bold, and forward moving. If you want an easy ride then Buckle is the one for you! | Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Beginner-Intermediate |
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Buckle "The Policeman" knows our rules and expects everyone to follow them. Don’t pass Buckle, we ride Indian file, he will not tolerate horses passing him and bites them. He is very valuable to me as an all round mount, and he also
controls the pace of a ride. |
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| Captain had a bad start to life.
A stallion attacked him as a baby, leaving his body and face
smashed and disfigured; he was thin and uncared for. (It is
not uncommon for a stallion to take out another stallion’s
progeny). Luckily a caring family, found Captain who fed and
looked after him, but they could not keep him so he came to
us.
Captain has a very soft mouth, ride him with your voice he is totally controlled and obedient. Captain has a sweet, kind, loving heart and wants to be loved. He is a very affectionate horse, a people pleaser with a forward moving stride. He will not go forward if you are hanging on his mouth. He loves doing lead rein rides on the beach with the small children and thrives on the attention. A very popular horse and extremely loved, we are using him more and more for first time young riders, as he is showing us signs of retirement. Captain had another unfortunate experience some time back. He rolled on a Puff Adder, a widely distributed venomous snake. The rapid strike and large fangs effectively deliver large quantities of its potent Cytotoxic venom, causing excessive swelling followed by necrosis and tissue damage. and often gangrene. (Anti-venoms are produced from the anti bodies produced the blood of horses bitten by snakes and are used in the treatment of bitten humans). Captain experiences abscess on the snakebite site on his
shoulder, which we drain and treat, with time these abscess
will stop. During the formation of the abscess Captain is
inclined to be a bit thin. |
Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Intermediate-Experienced 
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Caesar is a beautiful, small but
strong looking gelding that has started his working horse career
and showing potential as a great trail horse. A leader, weight
carrier, bold, people pleaser, with nice long forward moving
strides he is a stunning ride. Not for nervous riders as he
is inclined to feed off your nerves and become unsettled. 
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Sire: Unknown Dam: MOD Intermediate-Experienced 
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| As a newborn foal Caesar was stolen from his young
mother MOD. Praise, a nursing mare, stole him and raised him
with her own foal. (It was only when we witnessed Praise trying
to take another foal, Zeus, years later we realised what had
happened). Caesar as a young horse did not like being patted but enjoyed being stroked. He has become very affectionate and lost his trust issues. A horse that really bonds with his rider on the longer trails. Once he trusts you he gives his all a horse we use as a lead horse as he is very happy to break away from a group and work at a different pace. What a nice ride, we have been working on his top line, although he is a barrel his neck was under developed at the top and over developed under. With Dons extra work he has matured into a true champion. A late starter he has rounded into a very enthusiastic people pleaser a horse who used to have trust issues now wants to bond. Don has started to teach him to be ridden with a neck strap and no bridle.
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| Chester has joined the working horses. His previous owners dearly loved him but he was not disciplined and as a result can be a bit pushy especially near food. When he came to us he had no idea how to act like a horse, it did not take the working horses long and they have taught him some manners. | Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Intermediate-Experienced |
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He has shown us huge potential as a weight carrying team member. A bold horse that goes well for a rider who knows something but can take advantage of an absolute beginner if they sit on him like a sack of potatoes.Take him for a ride, interact with him; tell him where to go and how fast or he will take you for a ride. He is willing but needs direction and sometimes a firm hand. Chester has no vices he means well. Goes very well for some riders and worked really hard the last season. Unfortunately like so many horses in the area he has a damaged ear due to Screwworm. |
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| Excalibur is a very good-looking young gelding, not very big, although he has not fully grown yet and is suddenly expanding both in height and width. An asset for young beginner riders, a real children’s pony 100 % voice controlled and works well on verbal commands He actually responds to his name and will follow verbal instructions during the ride. | Sire: Jamaica Dam: Durakha Raka Reg Arab stallion Beginner-Intermediate |
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For Excalibur his training started the day he was born, he joined his mother on day rides at the height of the Christmas rush, with motorbikes, cars, and people as part of his easy, no pressure, and confidence building training. His mother is our schoolmaster and Excalibur was enthusiastic to learn trotting poles, small jumps at his mother’s side. With his sire's all round abilities and a dam as a schoolmaster he has proved to be a valuable asset. Excalibur is already a popular confident horse and like his mother a schoolmaster with an easygoing forward moving stride and with his parent’s attitude to work. Excalibur is a first timer ride at the back of the ride (he is voice controlled) or if further forward in the line is a good forward moving child’s pony for someone who can ride. He loves the attention he gets with lead rein rides and one of the first to walk up to you in the field. Excalibur in the last six months has been ridden by more advanced riders and enjoys, the faster paces, if I need him for beginners he goes nicely at the back and is voice controlled, if further forward in the line responds quickly to a good rider. |
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| Gunstone has a narrow chest but the biggest heart.
I had gone to buy mares at an abattoir and he looked me in the
eye and promised me loyalty and he has. I am constantly grateful
I saw past his terrible condition and saw the real horse. "A
trail horse in a million".
Superb temperament, kind, gentle personality, loyal and fearless. Happy to follow at the back or take the lead. Will out pace any horse with his long floating stride and out swims all others in the river or sea. The most loved out of all the horses. From beginner to experienced everyone wants to take him home. Gunstone changes adapting to the riders requirements, you need to tell him to canter or he continues to trot. He is always a perfect ride, gentle considerate, patient and responsive. A schoolmaster. Gunstone carried Carl a totally blind rider on a 5-day trail,
through rivers, rocks into the sea and even raced, but what
amazed me was when Gunstone took Carl’s arm in his teeth
and took Carl to the gate. Gunstone knew Carl was blind! |
Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Beginner-Experienced. 
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Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion Dam: MOD Experienced A horse with huge potential and is expected to be for the more experienced riders. Hey Dude has just started his working career and was an unexpected surprise on his first ride. Unlike most of our horses he had never gone on a ride with his mother so everything was new. We put the saddle on and went for a ride expecting at least a buck or two. Nothing. He took everything in his stride including swimming in the sea as if he had been ridden for years. On his second ride he was a bit stubborn and wanted to turn back the stables, after a huge hard kick from his rider he fell into line and behaved. |
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| Maverick a striking big unusual coloured colt. Granny was a Paint, mommy a Blue Roan, daddy a Friesian. Maverick is a Blue Roan with black oil markings on his shoulder and down his leg. | Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion Dam: Cheyenne Experienced |
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| Midnight a weight carrier with oodles of personality,
one of our cleverest horses, shy until he knows you, but then
he will follow you with his eyes until you come and hug him.
He is schooled, forward moving, bold, and swims the sea or rivers
with ease. He has made an alliance with Buckle and the only
horse that grooms him putting himself at the top of the pecking
order, Buckle fights his battles for him.
A very popular trail choice, he can be used by novice riders
but the more you can ride the more forward moving he becomes
and the more he gives you. Midnight does not like to be boxed
in if we are cantering as a group 3-4 breast on a trail and
kicks out, keep him on the side and he is happy. Midnight
has unfortunately aged quickly in the last year and if tired
gets grumpy. |
Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Novice-Experienced. |
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| *Nsync is a forward moving, gelding with his fathers
high tail carriage and huge potential as a trail lead horse,
jumper or dressage. Like his mother he can open any gate especially
if the grass is greener on the other side and gets a bee in
his bonnet and goes walk about, he is the lone ranger and has
been known to power trot down the middle of the highway on a
mission all of his own.
I watched him being born and from that day have said this horse has something special. He has been encouraged to become a talented sports horse. For *Nsync his training started the day he was born. The first time he saw the sea, the beach was full of Christmas holidaymakers, with dogs, umbrellas, balls and kites. He was 4 months old and had joined a day ride with his mom and extended family. He and two of his mates and half brothers (Royal Revenge and Excalibur) ventured too deep into the sea, deep into the waves and a current took them out to sea They looked like they were in big trouble! |
Sire: Durakha Raka Reg. Arab Stallion Dam: Flicka Intermediate-Experienced 
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| Romeo a big showy horse that moves forward and
naturally carries his head well with huge potential, expected
to be for the more experienced riders. Romeo wanted to be backed
and came with us on a number of occasions by just joining the
ride. On his first official ride he looked like he had been
ridden for years, passing a delivery truck out side the hotel
like it was something he did everyday. Another horse showing
us showing potential and will be ridden by experienced riders
only so he is not confused. A boy who is developing into a great
ride already on the bit and confidant and would easily be mistaken
as someone’s dressage ride. Maturing very quickly and
enjoying the work he is ridden by experienced or kind riders,
as we want his full potential to develop. Going to be one of
our more popular rides for those who know equestrianism and
the finer points of riding. Although been gelded for sometime now, like his namesake rather fancies the ladies and if missing is happily grazing with the mares. |
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion  |
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Sire: unknown Dam: Flake. Novice-Experienced.  
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Royal Revenge a beautiful small horse with long floating strides a people pleaser and pleasure to ride for those who like to feel the power of a horse. Like his mother he is fast and forward moving and does not like to be left behind in a canter. He dances like his father. An all rounder. He is a very fast and competitive, a perfect trail ride for
more advanced riders. Loves to swim deep in the sea but does
not like to take the lead in the Morgan Bay lagoon since he
swam into a Jelly fish and was stung, is happy in second place.
After a few days of being ridden he was happy to take the
lead and a pleasure to work with in or out the saddle. Royal
does spook so you need a good seat. Royal would do well as
a competitive juniors horse in the jumping ring making an
awesome ride for a smaller client who can ride. A very sweet
natured horse that loves a cuddle. |
Sire: Durakha Raka. Reg Arab stallion Dam: Queen Reg Boerperd Experienced  |
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| Solo was orphaned on a neighbouring
farm at a young age and raised with cattle he had no idea that
he was a horse; he lost own language and associated people with
food. Not a good combination. When he came to us he had no idea
of personal space and would canter up and climb into your pocket.
It took a few weeks for the working horses to teach him pecking
order and manners. He is now a sweetie who forgets occasionally
to behave when you have food, but generally is a sweet affectionate
boy.
A horse with lots of potential as a weight-carrying workhorse. Solo will never be a beginner’s horse, he moves too quickly. Likes to be in the front of the ride and was leading the rides within a few days of being backed but he will accept the back if asked. Solo is Dons baby and a horse he often rides. Don trained
him to be ridden just with a strap round his neck and without
a bridle. Even in the height of season during which time the
beach is full of holidaymakers and guiding a big ride Solo
was totally controlled without a bridle. |
Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Experienced 
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| Spindrift is a beautiful Palomino with perfect conformation more often seen in a show arena than on a horse trail. Spindy delivers more than just a trail ride He is schooled, hot, forward moving, competitive, and is very fast, bold, swims the sea or rivers with ease, his surefootedness is legendary and he will take you safely to places where you did not think it possible to ride. | Sire: Robbie Dam: Rushka Experienced |
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Spindy assists the guides on trail in choosing the safest and most comfortable route and he has never made a wrong decision. Happier in the front of the group and loves a challenging race on the beach. On the beach he travels at speed sideways until you allow him to go, yet he will walk with a long rein when asked. If he were a car he would be a Porsche. 0-? In seconds! Like his name he is all bubble and froth. Spindy holds a grudge for ages and likes a kind good rider who wants to Go.
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| Stallions: With a description of each horse as you would find him on an average day. |
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| Hermes A loving big gentle colt with
the biggest kind eyes destined to be one of the most popular
trail horses like his mother Topaz.
A big horse with huge potential. Hermes was backed as normal in the height of the holiday season, but due to a huge influx of screwworm flies this year and little to no water in our borehole he was not gelded, but ridden as a stallion. What a sweet gentle boy, both on the ground and in the saddle. He really became a team member after his first ride and was ridden by a number of riders in his first season. A valuable team member. Hermes was such a worker it was important that he was given a few weeks in the field to grow out to come back as a mature horse, both in body and mind. Hermes has come back to work and has taken his job very seriously. Already on the bit and looking impressive, he could hold his own in a dressage class. |
Sire: Poseidon Reg. Friesian Stallion Dam: Topaz Experienced  |
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Contact Cheryl at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails. 
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Sire: Raafeek 218256, AHR of AM,
1313 (Deel) Dam: Sahiby Sebeka, 303 (Deel2) 
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Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown 
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| Poseidon has his sire’s attributes and the
vigour and confidence to flaunt it! Reg. with the Dutch society
as Sport Book.
Poseidon can only be described as a soppy big teddy bear - no horse loves an ear scratch more than he does. Our party trick is to mount 3-6 children bareback with no bridle in the field giving each child a turn to slide off his back via his tail. A perfect gentleman, with a big romantic heart, he courts his ladies, kissing and romancing them and plays with his babies. All the horses greet him as he walks past. Unfortunately Poseidon lost his eye recently, but is coping
well, a fly came into the area from new Blesbok and they laided
their eggs in the eyes of dogs, cows and horses who went blind
within 24 hours. We tried to save his eye but were unsuccessful. |
Reg. 1041 HAS Sire: Abe 30121 an imported registered Friesian stallion (progeny of the great Fokke 217 and Dam: Ster mare, Ima 6024) 
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| Zeus a big loveable, cuddly, affectionate stallion
and is our first third generation foal. Zeus has no vices and
such a baby face; butter would not melt in this stallion’s
mouth. A stallion that is totally socialised with all horses
of all ages and easy to work with on the ground. Ask him to
come on the bit and he drops with ease showing off his beautiful
head carriage. Zeus caused a stir on the beach this season.
He looked a picture with his long mane and tail being beautifully
ridden by a very talented young development rider, September,
who is 12 years old.
Zeus is a big boy with a kind heart, the first in the field to walk up to you for a love. Like his dad he too can be dismounted in the field by sliding off his bum, and can be ridden in a ride without a bridle.
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Sire: Rommel Reg. Friesian Stallion Dam: Joan of Arc Intermediate-Experienced |
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Zeus has just starting his life as a big boy! Both as a stallion to limited mares and as a working horse, to limited clients, on the day rides. We do not allow the stallions on the overnight trails; in
the Transkei, there are a large number of mares with Dourine,
a venereal infection controlled by the State and we will not
take a chance of our stallions contracting the disease. |
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 Captain Morgan |
 Tryton |
 Jiminy Cricket |
 Galiath |
| Captain Morgan : 06/01/06 Candor : 11/12/06 Beau : 11/12/06 Jiminy Cricket : 25/11/06 Tryton : 12/12/06 Goliath : 23/12/06 Lucky : March 2006 Gabriel : 23/12/06 |
Peter Pan : 02/01/07 Stuart Little : 15/11/07 Jack Sparrow : 09/03/08 Gibson : 10/11/08 Cadbury : 15/02/08 |
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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…
You could be here on your coastal safari horse riding vacation,
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails The best of equestrian holidays.
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
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