Blog - Khaya Hanci Horse and Game Ranch

Horses Heal Hearts (Or So It Seems)

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0200

When members of different species interact, a special physiological state comes into being that is stimulating to both. We know all too well what it “feels” like to naturally be with horses, and it either defies description or will take a much longer read than this blog post. Anecdotally, we may agree that to be with a horse, one has to relax into a gentler, steadier state, while becoming more aware of the horse’s signals and responses and potential triggers in the environment. Simultaneously, we may feel an undercurrent of excitement and exhilaration that we as humans get from positive social interactions, while we could imagine that the horse experiences something similar, stemming from its herd instinct. For both, we are dealing with a creature that could kill us, which demands mutual caution and consideration and a heightened state of awareness.

Human-horse interactions are a dance between physiological responses that are programmed into our respective survival-biased behaviours. Dr. Ann L. Baldwin of the University of Arizona, physiologist and equestrian, decided to conduct a number of experiments to quantify and measure this “dance”, in association with the HeartMath Institute.

Dr. Baldwin and her team devised electrocardiogram (ECG) harnesses for humans and horses, Within us, our heart beats faster when our sympathetic autonomic (involuntary) nervous system prepares us for action, while the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system slows it down to relax us. While there are times where one or the other system predominates, our bodies switch between active or rest rhythms every couple of beats to maintain
equilibrium. These change-overs between “action” and “rest” occur every 10 seconds or so (or with a frequency of ± 0.1Hz for the engineers among us).

The ability of the heart to vary between states is called Heart Rate Variability (HRV) - an indicator of physical and mental balance and well-being. People who are either overstimulated or depressed tend to have less heart rate variability, with heart rates clustered above or below the average healthy response respectively. By and large, the average “healthy” modern human is more afflicted by these imbalances than his or her equine counterpart, and, as our heart rate indicates what our entire body is doing, we can expect that these imbalances cause discomfort and even disease over time.

Like any muscle, if the heart is able to adapt fluidly between active and rest states, it suffers less exertion or damage. When the heart rate varies between fast beats and slow beats in an organised way,as opposed to abrupt jumps, this is referred to as “coherent heart rate variability”, a state that is also associated with enhanced cortical (central brain) activity, resulting in clearer thinking and more precise voluntary actions.

Dr. Baldwin and her team set up three interaction scenarios to investigate effects in HRV and HRV coherence, in both humans and horses, arising from the interaction. The first activity required the human participant to “send appreciation” (consciously harbouring a warm-hearted feeling) towards the horse, without any further contact or interaction, within relatively close physical proximity. In the second scenario the human would wait for the horse to signal a willingness to interact, and then move closer to perform a contactless “scanning” of the horse’s body. In the third scenario, the human would groom the horse, with active mindfulness of the wellbeing of the horse. Each scenario was designed to optimise physiological signals (heart rate, endocrine, metabolic), while minimising physical contact or sensory signalling.

The results of the experiments were extraordinary. The findings with regard to heart rate coherence, the smooth shift between active and passive states, were inconclusive due to a number of factors. But the patterns in heart rate variability were nothing short of astonishing.

In measuring heart rate coherence, a number of challenges came to the fore. First of all, a relaxed and healthy horse automatically displays coherent heart rate variability in the absence of threats. It was therefore very difficult to determine whether the nonthreatening human presence made any impact on the horse. Yet, in the first and third scenarios, both of which asked the human participant to “feel good feelings” towards the horse, the human’s heart rate became more coherent. This finding adds weight to the HeartMath Institute’s findings (in other experiments) that a state of appreciation, gratitude or benevolence will bring the human heart into coherence, resulting in a sense of well-being and clearer physiological and mental processing. Humans typically have either neutral or positive connotations towards horses in general, and so these amazing animals provide a great focal point for practising positive emotions.

Yet, it was the recorded patterns in heart rate variability that brought an entirely new discovery with intriguing implications. First off, it should be noted that the ECG monitors used on both humans and horses measure the electromagnetic field strength generated by every pulse of the heart. It has long been known that this magnetic field extends well beyond the physical boundary of the organism. It is also known that a stronger magnetic field (that of the horse in this instance) can influence weaker magnetic fields (human) and even bring pulses into synchronisation, much like pendulum clocks on a shared surface will transfer energy between each other until both are swinging in rhythmic unison (as discovered by Christiaan Huygens).

While a form of synchronisation emerged between horse and human participants, it is not at all of the kind that was to be expected. In the Huygens model, the exchange of energy through the heart’s direct electromagnetic pulses should either speed up the horse’s resting heart rate (28-48 beats per minute) to match that of the human (60-100 beats per minute), or slow down the heart rate of the human, until both have the same heart rate. This didn’t happen (and would have been quite uncomfortable, if not life threatening, for one or both participants). The horse maintained it’s resting heart rate and the human retained his or her heart rate.

What the observations did show, is that there is an exact match up of Heart Rate Variability, but with a delay of 30 seconds from horse to human (in most cases). As expected, the changes in heart rate occurred every ± 10 seconds in horse and human, but a second “guiding pulse” appears every ± 500 seconds. This Very Low Frequency correlation, is absent when either horse or human heart rates are measured in isolation. This means that, through the electromagnetic field, there is a form of purely physiological communication, electromagnetically mediated, that exists between the nervous system of the horse and the human, which cannot be explained by physics or by conscious external signalling, as it involves the synchronisation of two very complex and yet entirely involuntary nervous systems.

That the human nervous system normally becomes entrained to that of the horse has profound implications on the question of whether man tames beast, or beast tames man. On the surface, these findings suggest that the horse has an ability to first bring humans into the correct physical and mental state before interacting. As the horse’s heart field affects the HRV of the human, it also affects all other physiological fight-or-flight responses and may induce a state of being in the human that makes it possible for the horse to interact, without getting “spooked” or feeling uncomfortable. That is, the horse tames the human at an involuntary, irresistible level, first. The exception to all the other studied human subjects, was an experienced energy healer (Reiki) who follows a discipline that sensitises her to bio-energetic fields. Marsha Brown was able to lead the horse in the HRV dance by 15 seconds.

While the study didn’t directly investigate interactions between horses, these findings may reveal an important aspect of herd behaviour, as there could likely be a medium of communication between horses that affects physiological processes (such as endocrine releases) directly, without external signalling or mediation. In essence, the herd could be said to share a common heart rhythm, emotions, pain and joy. That our own hearts manifest these “guiding pulses” means that we too possess this faculty, although we are not mentally aware of it, and this may go a long way in explaining our own social “herd” choices and rationalisations.

Beyond these remarkable insights, the purpose of these experiments were not simply to qualify academic theorems, but also to investigate real therapeutic benefits. A large percentage of the subject volunteers were people of advancing age, and they were asked about their own perceptions. The recorded physiological benefits were clear - subjects experienced better HRV responses with increased coherence. All reported feeling an enhanced sense of self-esteem.

Horses are simply amazing creatures, and we are perhaps only beginning to learn the subtler aspects of our millennia-long interspecies collaboration. One cannot help but to think of the James Cameron film Avatar, where on a far-off planet, one “plugs” into one’s mount for the ultimate riding experience. Here we have WiFi. Could this be the connection that the Ayrudzi, Mongols, Comanche and other gifted equestrian peoples experienced? Was this connection symbolised by the Centaur in the minds of the Greeks?

It seems that the better we get to know horses, the better we may understand ourselves.

*Experienced Riders Only

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

You may have seen that our adverts have an asterisk whenever we speak of horseback riding. At Khaya Hanci we are very picky about who rides our horses, or not. Whenever there is any uncertainty, we prefer to err to the side of caution, and offer other options of exploration in this marvellous corner of Africa. Just as we have every reason to take care of our visitors, we also have to be extra careful about our horses. Here we hope to clarify some of those reasons, and simultaneously provide some more insight into these wonderful beings.

Care. Compassion. That is the starting point and guiding theme for all human-horse interactions at Khaya Hanci. Most of the horses at Khaya Hanci are rescues. Each has been rescued from some miserable situation and all are deserving of a little extra TLC. Some of the horses have alchemised their pain with greater relative ease, while other have taken a lot of nurture (that cost real time and money) to get back to state of health. Likewise, some have warmed up well to humans and seem to love riding, while others are best left alone to just be horses. Fair play. The bottom line at Khaya Hanci is that we didn’t rescue these horses from a life of suffering just to make them suffer here, and we must live up to our commitment to offer an improved existence.

Of course, the hard line animal ethicists are entirely against horse keeping or riding. However, an honest appraisal based on experience, shows that humans and horses have fused a symbiotic relationship over several millennia that has, for some horses, become natural and reassuring. Where we stand in the 21st century, we are far removed from the pristine and “ideal” natural conditions enjoyed by hunter-gatherers and wild horses. in contemporary terms, conscientious humans do best when they offer horses protection from a variety of threats, both natural and technological. This is the unspoken basis for the domestication “contract”, forged in antiquity, and which persists to this day. Looking at the stout Przewalski’s Horse (below), the only remaining undomesticated horse, it is clear that horses have become adapted to a more sheltered life. In short, we feel that in keeping horses, we are following the more compassionate way, and we have specifically acquired the larger Khaya Hanci Horse and Game Ranch to provide more freedom to range. We respect the right of the herd to roam.

Przewalski's Horse is the world's last undomesticated horse, and a possible progenitor of contemporary horses (image from Wikimedia Commons)

We also take a broader and more pragmatic view on riding. As herd animals, horses appreciate a good leader, and don’t mind the instructions of a congenial rider, if he/she lives up to the title. It is clear that herds have a strict leadership hierarchy, and without leadership, horses experience fear and stress. From our observation, horses enjoy a good ride with an attuned rider, and the stress indicators of an animal in fearful flight are absent, replaced by enthusiasm and exuberance. We see an animal at play, and this is the kind of horse-and-rider partnership we hope to see every time.

It should go without saying that any prospective rider should understand that he/she is dealing with a sensitive sentient being that is worthy of friendship, and not just a “vehicle”. Horse riding is not “just like riding a bike”, and we certainly need to know that you really know how to ride and how to read cues from the horse. “Don’t force the horse” will be your mantra on this ride.

Getting the pairing right is the key to the connection that constitutes a pleasant horse riding experience, for both horse and rider. The first considerations are the physical traits of rider and horse, such as weight, height and fitness. Horses should carry no more than 20% of their body weight (and some would say less). A large horse weighs roughly 500-600kg and the ideal rider should therefore not weigh more than 100kg. That said, lighter is not always better, as a heavier but more experienced rider that moves with the horse is better for the horse. A heavier horse is also not necessarily a stronger horse, and smaller breeds are sometimes better equipped for a heavier rider. But not if the rider is very tall. We assess all these factors carefully before venturing out on a ride. Remember that exceeding structural load or physical limits may break a vehicle, but it injures a horse, often painfully and irreparably, and this will not do.

Next we consider experience in the saddle. Just like a pilot, a good rider has clocked the hours, and continues to do so frequently to stay up to speed. We don’t set a minimum number of hours, but we will probe the level and nature of the prospective rider’s experience. There is a vast difference between a rider who spends weekends trotting over manicured terrain, and one that has clocked the same number of hours in annual wilderness expeditions that feature dangerous wild animals on the way. Considering that this is Africa, we would probably rate the latter more highly, as the experience is more applicable. Alternatively, if you are experienced in less demanding conditions, we may set out different routes or perform test rides to make sure that you really are up to scratch. We will know from your Flow - essentially whether you can ride instinctually or not. Riding in Nature requires the kind of Gladwellian non-thinking-knowing-what-to-do that is usually the stuff of pro athletes on the win. It should be clear that this excludes beginners or when-on-vacation riders. This is the bush, not the beach, and we have the buffaloes to prove it.

Snowflake Photo-Bomb (Image: Ulrike Hake)

The final, and arguably most important consideration, is that of character. Horses are higher mammals as are humans (at the best of times). Both creatures are unpredictable due to memories, emotions, personal preferences and will - delightfully packaged as personality. A good rider should minimally be in touch with that “irrational” part in him/herself to be able to control these while in the saddle. Expressions of uncontrolled rage, panic or excitement - even to the degree that it may be acceptable in a social setting - could well be too much for a horse. It may well be that your own horse, in love, has grown accustomed to your quirks, but that may not be the case for ours. It is also true that a perky, hyper-energetic horse may be too much for you if you are a more reserved rider and we will certainly avoid such a compact. That said, we really know our horses well, and so, if we ask for a bit of time to first get to know you as a person or rider, it is done in fairness to the horse. We should also make it abundantly clear that, in grading a rider, we look for skilful confidence without a need for tyranny or other forms of ego projection.

Considering all the above we must always reserve the right to refuse a rider, regardless of the metrics of experience. Sorry not sorry. Our love for our horses and concern for your safety and enjoyment have brought us to this conclusion. It should be noted here that the rescue operations that have brought these horses to us, have not simply been a matter of donning cape and spandex, and cueing a theme song. Maybe some of our stories will make it to this blog. They could certainly fill a book. It has taken a great summoning of courage and commitment to persevere through the adversity, legal battles and logistics to get these horses to safety. It has cost us, but it is worth it, because THEY are worth it. We trust that you will accept it if we say “no” or “not yet”, bearing this in mind.

The good news is that, regardless of whether you ride or not, there is every opportunity at Khaya Hanci to get to know and understand these amazingly intelligent and soulful creatures. Simply hanging out with horses has an amazing effect on our well-being, and any interaction with them is truly magical. We may not follow the hard line that horses are sacrosanct, but we do take very good care of our dear, dear old friends.

The Equestrian Effect

Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 +0200

There is a saying: “The man dignifies the dog, and the dog dignifies the man”.

In the times we inhabit, dogs are family. But dogs have not universally been known as fluffy and affectionate pets. Feral dogs can be vicious scavengers that are an archetype of undisciplined and impulsive living. The dog’s lupine genetic ancestry provides a “wild switch” that can turn sweet Fifi into a brutal, pack-hunting killer that likes nothing more than to tear flesh from bone. Yet, when nurtured, dogs show a unique and extreme capacity for loyalty and unconditional veneration of its owner. And in doing so, the dog that is one meal away from that wild and ferocious state, can still lend a degree of status to the most destitute of people.

The human-canine relationship is a beautiful example of biological and psychological synergy, where a positively reinforcing loop of care and compassion helps to grow and evolve two species. In the case of the destitute, this loop is often the counter-rotation that halts the descent of both man and dog into the spiral of the abyss.

Tagging along with mankind for about as long as the dog has, the horse must also have a profound influence on us. As you, like us, are most probably of the equestrian persuasion, let us examine the qualities that have emerged from this other long-term inter-species collaboration. (And we are certainly not knocking dogs either!)

Throughout history, horses have been the symbolic pedestals of power. Jacques-Louis David’s portrait of a Napoleon crossing the Alps (above) perfectly exemplifies how a noble steed lends imperial gloss to a notoriously diminutive man. The propaganda value of a man on a horse is almost as powerful as it was two centuries ago (although now it helps if the rider is shirtless). Ask political spin doctors and “man” brand brokers anywhere - the visual and psychological icon of the raised and dominant rider is a universal trope for success in conquest, whatever the battlefield. The equine musculature is the extension of a “greater man” that can control and tame, that sees over the heads of others, and that is on his way at a gallop. Coupled with a wholesome outdoorsy vibe, the look is pure Win.

But the horse doesn’t only signify a greater man - it makes one too. What would Alexander have been without Bucephalus? In the heat of battle, was it Al that knew zig from zag, or was it the Big Head making smart tactical decisions? Cities of conquest are named after meritorious generals - for Alexander to name one after his horse, speaks volumes of his opinion. Genghis Khan too, did not jog along the steppe. Were it not for horses, the Golden Horde would have been more of a wild travelling trance party than the infamous “Scourge of God”. Each Mongol warrior took three or more of the most perseverant steppe horses on their campaign. Julius Caesar rode Genitor across the Rubicon and into history. For these, and other remembered men, the horse was not only a logistical technology of war, but a sophisticated and capable ally, worthy of remembrance themselves.

Noting the brawn and brains of these fine creatures, there is the “spirit” that shines. Despite being prey animals that are given to flight, horses have tremendous capacity for courage. Horses will charge into battle, disregarding explosions and all manner of aggression, but also brave treacherous terrain and temperatures in rescue operations. Courage, like love, is a matter of the heart, and the heart of a horse is big in every sense. It stands to reason that a person who is inclined to true greatness would let such largesse rub off on them.

The word “chivalry” beautifully encapsulates this idea. In modern terms, we regard chivalry as positive behaviour that is rooted in respect for the comfort, safety and dignity of others - the stuff of storybook knights. Derived from the Old French word, chevalerie, (meaning “horseman”), the modern French variant means “knight”. The inference is clear that this process of becoming a horseman, and fostering a partnership with the horse, confers high mindedness and discipline. It is quite true that, as there is a correct way to handle the horse respectfully, so there is also a correct way of dealing with people. And as the horse carries my weight, I should also seek to carry the burdens of others. The silent rhythmic lessons are innumerable.

Of course, not every rider will become a knight or emperor. As with the dog, it is the love and respect that the master gives that reflects back through the dog, in a kind of macroscopic entanglement of beings. Likewise, it is the alchemy between the great heart potential of both horse and rider that sets up the magically synergistic and awe inspiring stories that maintain a steady gallop through the pages of history, and that become archetypal parables of positive behaviour for the generations.

The dog may confer dignity. The horse - immortality.

Location, Location, Location

Robin De Roubaix — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

When you are a truly outstanding individual, as our Snowflake certainly is, you have to strike a fine balance of being seen and not being seen. As we have seen in our last report, if your being carries some significant meaning for other earth dwellers, it is quite important that they get to spot you from time to time. Conversely, if you are also a bright signifier of food to predators from a distance, then you learn to hang out in the tall grass. Snowflake loves the tall grass.

For all these reasons, Khaya Hanci’s new Horse and Game Ranch is ideal. It’s a large parcel of land that allows for free and easy rumination, but also no lions. Good start. The ranch has some hilly bits and some flat bits. Uphill for pics, downhill for privacy. Then, being located where it is, it is just far enough off the beaten track to be immersed in nature, and yet not completely lost in the bush. All this in a bushveld-beautiful landscape that is also rich in historical legends.

The main geographical feature of the Leydsdorp/Gravelotte area is the Murchison range, a series of rolling ridges with sugarloaf-like peaks in places. The jut of the ridge provides access to a number of minerals, most prized of which is gold. Leydsdorp started off as a mining camp in the late 1800s, but fizzled out with the Witwatersrand gold rush of 1884. at which point it became a base for die-hard big game hunters, such as the erstwhile President of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republic (ZAR), Paul Kruger. The constitution dictated that the President could only sign official documents if within a city, and so Leydsdorp was declared as such in 1890, despite it not being one, nor ever becoming one.

Yet, the hotel has been trading on and off for more than a century, What remains constant is the area’s oldest living inhabitant, a near-2000 year old baobab tree, that has also once featured a bar (as one does), and the Leydsdorp cemetery. The cemetery, with its Victorian era tombstones is now a part of the ranch, and has been Uli’s quiet place for writing and reflection for years. In it are the silent records in stone of lives lived in the dimming past. In contrast to the silence of the cemetery, it is the hotel that is rumoured to be rambunctiously haunted (which partially explains its record of abandonment). There is no irony in this - considering the usual cast of a prospectors’ camp and the succeeding generation of derring-do big game hunters, it is to be expected that while the ghosts rest at the former - at the hotel they come alive.

So is this ideal for Snowflake? Beyond the serendipity of being born on a ranch that is protected by a couple of true nature and animal lovers (and some hardy ghosts), Nature has chosen a relatively safe landscape and a weirdly interesting place to make her appearance. Leydsdorp is far, but not “gone”. Hospitals and airports are less than an hour away, as are quality shopping and dining. The ranch is ideally located for Kruger day trips with easy access to two gates. Perfect to welcome visitors from near and far.

With its rich natural setting, the ranch is also perfect to just spend some time to reconnect with Nature. There are the few quirky distractions, such as the massive baobab and the antiquated “gold rush” vibe that will totally pop on your Instafeed - but nothing that will feel like an “itinerary”. Nothing that supersedes the “flow”. Snowflake’s home, Khaya Hanci Horse and Game Ranch, is exactly the kind of place where you really just want to be out on a horse or game vehicle, with an eye out for a white buffalo calf in the tall, tall grass.

Behold... A White Buffalo Calf

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Usually we would kick off an article with something about a horse, not unlike a Biblical prophecy that seems all too familiar these days. But, Khaya Hanci has recently added a game farm to its marque, and Lo! A White Buffalo Calf! And with it, a lesser-known Native American prophecy that seems quite relevant, all things considered.

Greetings Snowflake!

An undomesticated white animal is always a rarity. Unsurprisingly, white is not a good colour for camouflage in the African bush, and typically, natural selection tends to eliminate those genes in swift fashion. To state it unambiguously, if a prey animal could hold up a sign to predators saying “eat me”, a nice white pelt would be it. That's why the other buffaloes tend to encircle their little bright gem, keeping a wary eye out for even the most near-sighted lion.

There are a number of ways in which a bovine ends up being so special. The less likely way is albinism, wherein the genes are incapable of expressing melanin pigment. This condition is usually associated with visual or hearing impairments and pink eyes. A more likely reason for whitening is leucism, where the animal is likely to have blue eyes. Leucism has been postulated to be due to regressive gene expression (think ice age and snow), which tends to happen in isolated groups due to genetic bottlenecks. Yet another reason could be that the buffalo also carries the genes of white-coated domesticated cattle. For now, it would seem that Snowflake is likely leucistic - with beautiful blue eyes!

While there are scant statistics on the number of white African Buffaloes, the National Bison Association in the U.S. estimates that one in every 10 million births produce a white calf. An extreme rarity.

So should we see Snowflake as a meaningful sign? Let’s look at the Native American legend.

(Creative Commons image sourced from https://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10)

The Lakota Sioux tell of a Wakan Wiyan (holy woman spirit) that visited the Plains tribes of South Dakota in deep antiquity, riding on a bison. She brought abundance to the tribes and taught knowledge of the Earth Mother, Grandfather Creator and the Great Spirit. She taught the seven ceremonies, including ceremonies of gratitude, provided the sacred ceremonial prayer pipe and gave the seed for maize, melon and squash. She blessed the people of the Plains and asked them to keep and share her prophecies, and the seeds, with others.

As the holy woman spirit departed from the people, she turned into a buffalo calf which rolled on the earth, turning from black to brown to yellow with each roll, and finally to white. And this is how she became known as Pte Ska Win Yan, White Buffalo Calf Woman. As she departed, the Wakan promised to reappear at “A Time of Great Change”.

Time of Great Change? It certainly seems to be.

A raging pandemic, devastating annual wildfires and a bevy of other ecological threats loom large over our lives. We see radical shifts in public opinion and policy with challenges to the political status quo tied to emergent economic issues. Simultaneously, many more people are awakening to our role in nature and our responsibility in defending the Earth. Most would agree that we live in a time of unprecedented change.

For further significance, let’s look at those statistics again. In the 1800s, before the great bison massacre of 1871-2, up to 40 million bison roamed the plains. In three-quarters of a century there was ONE recorded white buffalo sighting. In 1876 there was another. Then, in 1933, a white buffalo named Big Medicine was born in Montana, followed by another 40 white bison births in a population that averaged 27,000 individuals! A jump of one in 10 million to 1 in 675! The ratios are incomparable.

Arguably the greatest authority on the phenomenon would be the 19th generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Lakota Sioux. The chief has become known for raising awareness of the prophecy of the White Buffalo Calf, reaching out to world leaders and advocating for the role that we must play to ensure the best outcomes for our world in these times. For Chief Arvol, the White Buffalo Calf is a sign of our need to bless the Earth and honour and protect its sacred places. We are to humbly give thanks for the sacred food that the Earth provides and we are to protect our animal relatives. In his own words: “…We are guided to speak from all the White Animals showing their sacred colour, which have been signs for us to pray for the sacred life of all things.”

To sum it all up, whether or not this calf is a “sign” depends on whether we are up to the task or not. Do we really really really care about animals? We certainly try our best. So, while we would like all of you to come stay over, take a horse trail or game drive and see little Snowflake as soon as possible, we at Khaya Hanci take heed of the message of sustainability. Therefore we kindly ask your patience while we ensure that we have the best protocols in place to have the least possible ecological impact on her and our home. In the meanwhile, join us as we document Snowflake's growth and our process!

Birthday Trail For Bianca!

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Khaya Hanci took a small group of riders - close friends of the birthday girl - on to our regular wild bush trail, where they enjoyed the magnificent Drakensberg mountain scenery and wildlife en route to Moholoholo Bush Camp. We fed the party with a delectable feast of cake and champagne, before returnig through the stunning Moholoholo Mountain View reserve.

Love is always to be found where people and nature meet, and this event was certainly no exception.

Stay Healthy!

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0200

We at Khaya Hanci know all too well what it means to nurse loved ones that are sick, and despite best efforts, to say farewell to those who succumbed. In 2019, the dreaded African Horse Sickness swept through South Africa and into our herd, resulting in the death of several precious horses. Each life lost was an emotional gut-punch, that somehow steeled us with determination to save the others. That malady, still far from forgotten, has passed. But now, with COVID-19 on the rise, we are asked to turn our attention to our human herd, all the friends of Khaya Hanci across the globe.

In recent days, the South African government has imposed travel restrictions on travellers from Italy, Iran, South Korea, Germany, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Many of you live in these countries and we are aware of just how devastatingly fast this virus has spread among your communities. We are also aware of the social impact brought on by quarantine and curfews. We wish you strength in this time. We also know that some of you may have been planning to visit us, and we will have to wait a little longer before we can spend time together. Rest assured that we will be here for you when this passes.

Considering that you may find yourself confined at home, we would recommend the following:

Stay Positive!

During a crisis, we have a natural tendency to fixate on the news, as we seek information that affects us and our loved ones. Unfortunately, the news is rarely good (at least what gets reported), and we may find ourselves drawn into a maelstrom of despair. Take careful stock of your news habit. If the bulletin you are watching is much the same as the previous (despite the “Breaking News” banner), you can and should take a break for a couple of hours. When you do, make an effort to think positive thoughts and to take positive actions (such as finally organising THAT wardrobe). Yes, we are all mortal and this virus could get us, but while we are alive, let’s LIVE.

Take Care of Nutrition

If you have a normal active life, there is a good chance that you have been skimping on vitamins and minerals, all of which contribute to a robust immune system. Now that you may have a bit of time on your hands (and you just turned off the news), it is a great idea to get into the kitchen and make that salads, bake that muffin, squeeze that lemon - any and all the ways in which you can feed yourself and your family well. Good, nutritious food contributes molecular ammunition for your immune arsenal, but also provides an emotional lift. Avoid “couch food” at all costs - you’re worth more than that!

Prevent Infection

It has been said many times, but we will say it again: Wash your hands! Sneeze into your elbow! Avoid handshakes! Do whatever you can to avoid the transmission of microbes from yourself to others or from others to you. Live to hug another day.

Rest

One of the best immune boosters in the world is simply rest. The side effect of restrictions on movement is that we now have more time for that, so let’s do it well. You can deepen your rest by taking up a hobby, learning to play an instrument or simple meditation. Take long baths (or showers) and wait for your tea to cool. A change towards a natural pace is always what the doctor ordered.

All of us at Khaya Hanci sincerely wish that you remain in the best of health, and that you and your loved ones will be safe. Wherever possible, spend this time together.

Goodbye From Sabrina

Thu, 02 May 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Memories From Magda!

Sat, 30 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Kerstin's Stay At Khaya Hanci!

Sun, 17 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Kind Words From Carmen

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0200

A Course In Horse

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Khaya Hanci is an equestrian lodge, nestled right at the foot of Moholoholo – “The Big Big One” – the towering 1800m behemoth that also goes by Mariepskop.
The logo says it all – it’s all about the horses – and that is what the proprietors, Jürgen and Uli, will tell you in all German frankness (historically sensitive word combination aside – you know what I mean). That no-nonsenseness also implies a lack of snobbishness that I have (correctly or incorrectly) associated with equestrian circles, and being just a human feels like it’s good enough.
Khaya Hanci is every bit as efficiently functional as you would expect from this internationally experienced team. You will find riding classes, trail rides, impeccable accommodation. But what I didn’t expect is that naming it in terms of the “what” and not the “how”, is missing the point altogether. Because the “how” is pure love.
Now, defining love is beyond the ambit of this and all other texts imaginable. But when it is lacking it is all too apparent and when it is there, it is pretty much everywhere you look. At Khaya Hanci it is everywhere you look.

The first thing you see when you arrive are a number of neat paddocks with beautiful horses grazing, peacefully. Of course, I am assuming that you have processed your mountain-tableau induced gobsmacked stupor by the time you have arrived at the lodge. *Snap-snap* you can get back to that. That never really goes away. But paddocks, horses and then dogs and more ridgeback dogs with lolling tongues and wagging tails greet you with an unconditional “Welcome!” Once the playful barking settles, you may hear the sound of wild birds and parrots and maybe even a plumed “hello” from an African Grey in the aviary.

You may have visited such a place before. A place to free your inner Dr. Doolittle. A place for furry cuddles. But here is why Khaya Hanci is special – most of the dogs and most of the horses have been rescued. Rescued from hairy situations that will make you want to cry if you care about animals – the stories attest to the many who do not <tear emoji><angry emoji><confused emoji>. But despite the stories, these animals and their present condition – their outright frickin’ joy – are a testament to an exemplary depth of patience, compassion and care. The hand of the Mother.

I’m here as a sort of “apprentice horse whisperer”. Yesterday a group of four new horses arrived that have experienced various levels of trauma. The animals were bought at an auction in a bid to secure mercy for them against the tide (an euphemism). They are a handful in a sea of neglected and abused horses across this largely rural country. My job is to be present (in the fullest sense of the word), and to be a compassionate human that hangs around so that they can experience that for the first time.
I am told that the two foals (one really young – four months maybe?) will adapt faster to human contact as a prelude to more intensive care and human and herd bonding. The two older ones will take longer, and are more skittish. I don’t really even want to know why.

The horses did not come from a single place, have no prior relation, and so there are assertions of dominance that will also be a part of the process. The best I can do is to check for cues and try at least to shield the smaller ones. In some sense, I have been rescued too, so my horse buddies and I are getting along, but eye to eye will take time. I am therefore very relieved that Uli has framed the objective at “months”, which stops me from trying to be an overachiever, pushing too hard, and then failing, as one does. Wisdom personified.

I’m a raw recruit, and Uli felt that I would be able to act calmly around these particular horses. It’s true that I am an animal lover and that most animals feel comfortable around me. However, my exposure to horses has been minimal and a childhood experience had left me a bit unsure about the equestrian species.

My cousin had a pony, and once on vacation and visiting her, she arranged some horses for a trot around the paddock for my brother and I. I was given her pony to ride and the little chestnut mare didn’t like me – or so it seemed – and it seemed that way because she threw me off twice, and on the second chuck, I had to roll under a fence away from maliciously descending hooves. Fun.

I realized with time, by speaking to better riders, that it was probably not personal, but that my lack of training and experience had possibly upset her. My hands were too high. My heels too hard on the ribs. And I’ll give her that. But ixnay on the illingmekay, OK, orseyhay? Sensitive much?

Forward to today and my equestrian professors are Uli and Anna, both of whom speak and understand the wordless and ancient Animal Language with native fluidity. What they know can’t be expressed in words, only observed – and careful observation at that. Body language, breathing, intent, relative vectors of motion, careful eye contact – to do it well is to be a method actor. No faking. The only way is to become that person that an abused horse can trust. And that is a very composed person.

I didn’t quite think about that before I started, so all I can say is “you got me Nature!” and get with the program. Our program. To calm the horses I have to become really calm myself. And let go of that little childhood fear. And so, paradoxically, the taming of the beast has become the taming of the man. And if I read the Lotus Sutra right, the tamer of both man and beast is the Buddha, and the Buddha is always the most chilled guy in the room. Or paddock. Zen mind it is then.

The reason why I am even here is the compassion that is implicit in the method that Khaya Hanci employs in rehabilitating these gorgeous and sensitive animals. My four compadrés, under normal-to-better circumstances, would go to a horse trainer that would take charge of the horse to “turn it around” as fast as possible. Normal-to-worse is the abattoir. If “better” turns to “worse” or even “not so sure” then it’s also the abattoir. Killer success/failure metrics. Horses most often are business, and the sooner the horse is rideable, the sooner it has value. A horse has practically no value if untrained. So therefore, most trainers employ a strict and quite brutal regime to essentially bully the horse into accepting a bridle, then saddle, then rider.

It is not that most trainers want to lasso horses, forcefully restrain, shout or domineer, but there is simply no economical timeframe to allow for the horse’s true personality to emerge before becoming a tool, an object, equipment and therefore, money. And that is because horses cost money to feed and maintain. Quite a lot in fact: real estate, feed, veterinarians, medicine and other regular expenses add up to princely sums.

So Khaya Hanci could well be forgiven for taking the “boot camp” approach to training horses, but Jürgen, Uli and Anna know that that would compromise the core quality that they seek. Happy horses. Nothing tangible or measurable with tape – just a calmness in the eye, nostrils that are not flared, ears up and wide, but not up and “prickly”. Only such a horse is ready and confident to take a stranger for a ride through a wildlife reserve with buffaloes, giraffes and other more predatory surprises. This approach is no mean feat, but the intractable way that things are done. Soul-motivated non-violence and keine sheise about it.

Of course, instead of weeks this method could, and usually does, take months and even years. If this were mining (which was my dad’s trade), then instead of blasting a rock face with explosives, you sift through the sand on the stream bed to pick out little pecks of gold. The pure and priceless gold of personality, of willfulness, of playfulness. A method that is artisanal rather than industrial. Magical. And as nervously twitching muscles relax and breathing slows and deepens, so the life force begins to flow unfettered, at the pace of the Tao.
In a couple of days, this circle of compassion will feed back into humanity, as a group of 40 kids with cerebral palsy and other disabilities come here for their annual Christmas party. Then, some of these redeemed horses will be an anchor to Earth and Life, and a fountain of joy, for courageous children and moms from the Rethabile Centre in Acornhoek. A special day for special people, but not really all that unique, as all who come here experience a profound level of reconnection from these silent and wise creatures. Once here, once confident, the horses are in on the game to alleviate suffering. And this is probably why you have read up to here.

Lao Tzu wrote: “Nature doesn’t hurry, yet all things are accomplished”. At Khaya Hanci you will hear echoes of that in German, Parrot and various dialects of Dog. And if you have the “ears” to hear it, in a silent but harmonious chorus of Horse.
ACHTUNG! (Got your attention?): If you consider yourself to be a cowboy, or you get off on pushing others (people or animals) around, Khaya Hanci is not for you. Sorry, but really not sorry. The same wonderful maternal instinct that has patiently and self-sacrificially wrought this jewel of existence, will very suddenly and very severely turn Maa Kali on yo’ punk ass, and I for one, am not likely to chance that. However, if you really wish to connect, learn and grow your own being, then this is definitely the place, and definitely an unmissable experience.

If you have been wishing for a place that has a pervading atmosphere of kindness about it, I suggest you book now.

Happy New Year!

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Merry Christmas!

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0200