Seven hours after five horses were stolen from the paddocks at the Voorslag horseclub on the corner of the R31 and N8 routes outside Kimberley this past Saturday, they were found outside Platfontein after a joint operation in which the club members, horseowners, the police and concerned community members participated.
According to veterinarian dr. Sherike van der Merwe, who treated the injured and traumatized horses, incidents of horse theft and illegal horse races around Kimberly have increased in the past two months.
Ryno Griesel, chairperson of the horseclub, says the horses were stolen on Saturday morning around 04:00. The alarm was raised shortly before 07:00 when workers observed that padlocks were cut, and five horses were missing.
“Two of the missing horses were the same ones that were stolen on 18 December 2023 and later found in Roodepan, where children were seen riding them before they fled when they saw us closing in on them.
“This past week informants told us that an illegal bush horse race was to be held behind Platfontein. People bet on these horse races. Those who want to participate but do not own horses, then steal horses.
“When we discovered the theft, everybody started searching in all directions outside Kimberley. We received a report and went to Roodepan where we picked up the spoor. Then a report came in of men seen of horses near Platfontein next to the R31 toward Barkly-West. Together with the stock theft unit and other police units we closed in on them. The men fled, leaving the horses in the veld. The horses were stiff and injured, so badly we had to use horse trailers to transport them back to the paddocks where they were treated. The horse owners were overjoyed, as these horses are like their children. They are traumatized and now have trust issues with humans.”
He says that he alone drove more than 140km with his vehicle in the search, and that the other search party members must have done the same. According to him, up to 40 horses participate in these horse races in which animals are abused, and illegal bets are taken.
The club has now had the extra expense of improving security measures at the premises.
Van der Merwe says the stolen horses were hurt when they were found. “It was heartbreaking to see the condition of their hooves, some had lost all four of their shoes in the process and their feet were obviously painful and muscles were fatigued. Their hooves were completely run down and was painful to walk on. Some of them were traumatised and needed mild sedation just to examine. We are however happy to report that all horses are under treatment and are recovering by the day, doing really well under the circumstances. ”
“According to a trusted source, the horses are stolen, ridden at full speed approximately for 40 to 50km and then abandoned with makeshift tack still on. Some of the snaffles were made of wire, isolation tape, and rope, which left terrible abrasions and cuts on the sides of their mouths.
“Livestock theft has become a problem in our area. The incident is a reminder of the importance of having your horse identified. If your animal is stolen and found, the police will only accept positive identification mark like tattoos or microchips, to give the animal back. Photographs will not suffice.”
