Barnyard Stables, an animal clinic outside Mthatha and home to Janine Botha and her family, has given a lifeline to sickly horses through free veterinary treatment.
Botha has been hailed as a lifesaver and angel by animal owners after she opened a clinic to rescue, treat and rehabilitate neglected horses and dogs 15 years ago.
The animals are treated for sores, dewormed, dipped and the owners educated on how to best to take care of their animals.
To date, more than 2000 neglected or disowned horses have been helped at Barnyard Stables.
The mother of two said she was driven by her passion for animals, instilled in her by her parents and grandparents.
“In my upbringing, I was taught to respect and love animals.”
Botha, who owns five horses and nine dogs, said she decided to take action after witnessing the misery and neglect felt by animals, particularly those in the rural areas.
“People will see a skinny horse on a roadside and wish somebody could do something about it. I realised I am that somebody.”
Botha, who works a morning shift as a manager at a local supermarket, volunteered at the SPCA and worked as a veterinarian assistant before opening the clinic.
A number of horse breeds are kept at Barnyard Stables, including Percherons, Polo Ponies, Shetlands, Miniatures, Welsh and cross-breeds.
Horses are a integral part of life in rural areas, used mostly to collect, herd or search for stolen livestock, while elderly men depend on the animals to travel between distant villages.
Horse owner Mnoneleli Silwane, 48, from Tyumbu Village, said Botha had made a “big” difference over the past two years.
“Our horses have improved. They look beautiful. Since we met Botha our horses are no longer dying during seasons of disease outbreak,” said Silwane.
With donations received via their Facebook page, Barnyard Stables also refers critically ill animals to veterinarians at no cost to the owners.
The money is also used to buy medication, tack (horse equipment) which include saddles, overreach boots, bridles and saddle blankets, among others.
When the Dispatch visited the farm in Ncambedlana, about 5km outside Mthatha on the N2, a group of young boys from surrounding rural villages were queuing outside with their horses.
On a busy day, Botha and her two assistants attend to at least 300 horses.
She is assisted by two grooms who record details of the horses, including ailments, age and owner.
Most of the horses suffer from back and mouth sores caused by ropes, malnutrition and man- inflicted injuries.
Botha also conducts outreach campaigns, donating clothes to children in rural areas, educating horse owners about the wellbeing of their animals and buying or adopting unwanted horses. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Caring hands give fresh hope to animals
Botha has been hailed as a lifesaver and angel by animal owners after she opened a clinic to rescue, treat and rehabilitate neglected horses and dogs 15 years ago.
The animals are treated for sores, dewormed, dipped and the owners educated on how to best to take care of their animals.
To date, more than 2000 neglected or disowned horses have been helped at Barnyard Stables.
The mother of two said she was driven by her passion for animals, instilled in her by her parents and grandparents.
“In my upbringing, I was taught to respect and love animals.”
Botha, who owns five horses and nine dogs, said she decided to take action after witnessing the misery and neglect felt by animals, particularly those in the rural areas.
“People will see a skinny horse on a roadside and wish somebody could do something about it. I realised I am that somebody.”
Botha, who works a morning shift as a manager at a local supermarket, volunteered at the SPCA and worked as a veterinarian assistant before opening the clinic.
A number of horse breeds are kept at Barnyard Stables, including Percherons, Polo Ponies, Shetlands, Miniatures, Welsh and cross-breeds.
Horses are a integral part of life in rural areas, used mostly to collect, herd or search for stolen livestock, while elderly men depend on the animals to travel between distant villages.
Horse owner Mnoneleli Silwane, 48, from Tyumbu Village, said Botha had made a “big” difference over the past two years.
“Our horses have improved. They look beautiful. Since we met Botha our horses are no longer dying during seasons of disease outbreak,” said Silwane.
With donations received via their Facebook page, Barnyard Stables also refers critically ill animals to veterinarians at no cost to the owners.
The money is also used to buy medication, tack (horse equipment) which include saddles, overreach boots, bridles and saddle blankets, among others.
When the Dispatch visited the farm in Ncambedlana, about 5km outside Mthatha on the N2, a group of young boys from surrounding rural villages were queuing outside with their horses.
On a busy day, Botha and her two assistants attend to at least 300 horses.
She is assisted by two grooms who record details of the horses, including ailments, age and owner.
Most of the horses suffer from back and mouth sores caused by ropes, malnutrition and man- inflicted injuries.
Botha also conducts outreach campaigns, donating clothes to children in rural areas, educating horse owners about the wellbeing of their animals and buying or adopting unwanted horses. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos