The Cart Horse Protection Association in Goodwood had a fundraiser on 29 November experiencing firsthand what it is like to “skarrel” on the roads of Cape Town when they joined Theo Tofiq as he harnessed up his horses to drive them around the Monte Vista area.
Along the way, while livestreaming the event, they shared all the services they offer to improve the lives of the working horses in an attempt to raise funds.
Founded in 1995 to look after horses
Marike Kotze, fundraiser at the Cart Horse Protection Association, said you may wonder why, nowadays, you still see horses working on the roads.
You may wonder if the horses are properly looked after or if anyone ever checks on them. This is the work of The Cart Horse Protection Association which was founded in 1995 to look after the working horses’ welfare.
“Over the past 27 years, we have worked hard to change the thin, overworked horses to fatter, fitter animals, with owners who know how to take care of their horses,” Kotze says.
“Every day horses come into the clinic at Epping and we have the opportunity to meet their owners or drivers. Our field staff visit the horses and owners where they live. Sometimes our hearts break at the sights we see. Sometimes we are simply amazed by the kindness and compassion shown in these very same areas where gangsterism, crime and death are everyday occurrences.”
Raised much less
They aimed to raise over R100 000 on Giving Tuesday to ensure the health of the working horses on the Cape Flats.
Sadly, they raised very little money and much less than they had hoped.
“At this moment I am not sure the tally is even R7 000. It is very disappointing,” Kotze says.
Sitting on an open cart
According to Kotze, they had a lot of fun.
“Three cart horse drivers joined us, and we moved from Freedom Farm to Monte Vista in convoy. It was terrifying sitting on the open cart, and we felt very vulnerable – something these guys must face every single day. The cars on the road show little respect for the horses and do not slow down at all when coming past a cart. This can be very scary for the horses and even cause accidents.”
Along their “skarrel” The Cart Horse Protection Association visited a nursery school on Monte Vista Boulevard. Kotze says the children were thrilled to have the horses there and eagerly fed them carrots. They were quite young but listened for a few minutes while Karin Paschen, Kotze’s fellow fundraiser, explained the Five Freedoms to them. All of them thoroughly enjoyed the ride on the carts.
