Who knew nine horses and a Australian emu would become best buddies on a Dolphin Coast game farm?
The Courier went along on the experienced game trail ride at Rain Farm to get to know the farm’s nine equestrian beauties a little better last week, where the unusual friendship between the ostrich-like bird and the horses became apparent.
“Horse” the emu could roam the plains with his own kind if he wanted to, but strangely he prefers the company of nine geldings and a mare.
He seemed to have a particular affinity for Dazzle, the thoroughbred and two warmbloods, Korella and King, grazing with them during the day and joining them for breakfast at the stables.
Although Horse (the emu) could not keep up on the game trail, the horses had more than enough personality to keep us entertained in the absence of the second largest bird in the world.
Describing the horses, stable manager Alwin van Loggerenberg said that Dazzle, King and Korella were inseparable.
“Those three geldings are in a co-dependent relationship and think they cannot survive without each other. If I take two of them out on a trail and leave one behind, that horse gets very upset,” he chuckled.
At just under 17 hands, Dazzle is a big, powerful boy, hot to trot, yet soft natured. On the other hand, King is a wise old man who stays cool, calm and collected and loves to be petted.
“King is very good with the guests,” he said.
Korella is velvety soft, even in summer, after shedding his winter coat. Van Loggerenberg said Korella is gentle and docile but a bit of a pig when it comes to food.
“Korella calls me to come and feed him the moment he hears me heading down to the stables in the morning.”
The big white horse that looks like he should be pulling carts is a percheron named Noble. A percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in western France.
“Noble is a friendly and likable gentle giant and kids love him. He likes to lick your face and drool on you.”
Mia is the only mare at the stables and van Loggerenberg said she could sometimes be a little grumpy because she has to deal with men all day.
She is an appaloosa, an American breed known for its colourful spotted coat pattern.
Chase, Tomtom, Chulu and Flash are the four “boerperde” on the farm.
Van Loggerenberg said Chase was like a naughty younger brother, boisterous and full of energy.
He said Chase would go into the tack room and eat from the feed bags if you did not keep an eye on him.
Van Loggerenberg said Tomtom was unfazed by inter-herd politics, brilliant with beginners and best friends with Chulu.
“Chulu is the softest of the lot and the most docile. He is a complete sweetheart and loves kids and human affection.”
At 28, Flash is the oldest horse on the farm and with a wavy mane, looks like he has had a perm. Van Loggerenberg said Flash was still ridden on trails but riding him meant coming to an agreement that he was the boss.
“As an experienced old boy, you do not tell him what to do because he believes he knows best.”
These nine beauties were all donated to the farm and serve as excellent game viewers for more experienced riders.
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