Update: Help Horizon Trust Farm replace stolen tack

Horizon Farm Trust’s flagship activity, equine therapy, is in serious jeopardy of closing down after all the horse saddles, specialist saddles, bridles and other horse riding tack was stolen in the early hours of 4 April.

A boltcutter was used to cut the lock off the tack room door before the thieves made off with the sadddles, bridles, halters, lungeing equipment and riding crops.

Horizon Farm is a special care facility in Shongweni for mentally-impaired adults who cannot live on their own or without assistance. Animal therapy plays a large part in the daily activities and therapy on the farm. Horse therapy in particular is beneficial for the patient for balance and muscle tone, and it calms and improves the general well-being, self-esteem and self-confidence of the patient.

This  much-loved activity on the farm is impossible without the necessary riding equipment.

Farm Manager, Justin Young, said: “Horse riding at Horizon Farm Trust is as integral as breathing to our residents. How could someone do this? We are shocked, speechless and heartbroken.

“Most of the equipment was donated by people who care deeply about the farm and the meaning it has for the residents, and with the farm relying on donations from the public to fund the day-to-day running of the farm, it will be nearly impossible to replace the stolen items without assistance.”

In the meantime they are using borrowed tack from Giba Gorge Horse Trials but are hoping that through the generosity of sponsors and the community the tack can be replaced

Horizon Farm is appealing to the public to donate items of horse equipment, or to make a donation to help replace the stolen items. They have started an initiative called the ‘500/50 Mane Campaign’ to raise funds, specifically for the replacement of the horse gear. Horizon Farm needs 500 members of the public to donate R50, which will cover the cost of the stolen items.

Contact the marketing department on 031 266 8977 or Justin on 031 769 1433.

Direct deposits can be made to: Horizon Farm Trust, ABSA Hillcrest, branch code 632005, account number 930 557 3620, reference: ‘500/50’ and your surname.