Twelve years after the first Dundee July Rural Horse Riding extravaganza was held, the conditions of the horses racing at the event has improved markedly.
Laura Smith of the Coastal Horse Care Unit, part of a team over 12 vets and inspectors dispatched to the event last month, said 201 horses were inspected at the track and 42 were ‘scratched’.
“Horses were withdrawn from the race if they had wounds are lame or were in an unacceptable weight condition. Horses that were disqualified were marked with a marker to clearly indicate their non-participation. While horses that passed were marked with another colour. A list of all passed and scratched horses was kept and sent through to the parade ring and judges. The overall standards of the horses were very good but further education on the minimum criteria for rural traditional horse racing needs to be carried out,” Laura told the Courier.

A total of 1304 horses were seen and 450 owners were assisted during this clinics. Horses were dipped, dewormed and wounds treated

Pre-race clinics conducted by Coastal Horse Care Unit in various KZN districts leading up to the Dundee July had greatly assisted in providing horse owners with horse care education.
“A total of 1304 horses were seen and 450 owners were assisted during this clinics. Horses were dipped, dewormed and wounds treated. Racehorse owners were advised on the minimum standards required in order to compete in Rural Traditional racing. The CSI Team from Gold Circle assisted Team Coastal at quite a number of these clinics. Coastal Horse Care Unit attended many of the LOC (Local Organising Committee) meetings assisting the committee with issues relating to horse welfare.”
Laura said it was pleasing to see that the horses at the Dundee July had been fed, watered and groomed by the owners and riders.
“Protective gear for the horses was limited, but a lot of owners improvised with various materials to help protect their horse from injury during the race. This was admirable. Some of the owners had very high standards and the condition of their horses reflected this.”
The Coastal Horse Care Unit awarded apPrize to the best turned out horse and spot prizes were given for horses that were in good condition. The criteria were – condition of the horse, tack, feet, wounds. This was Judged by Vicki Campling and Penny Ward from World Horse Welfare. The awards were presented by MEC of KZN Provincial Treasury, Belinda Scott.

“Most owners and riders were very co-operative when horses were withdrawn by the vet. A full explanation was given to the owners. Also, suitable crops were supplied by Gold Circle and no unsuitable whips were allowed. “
Laura said that the CHCU and Rural Horse Riding Association to provide intensive education to owners re minimum standards of rural traditional horse racing.
“The pre-race workshops that although costly to The Coastal Horse Care Unit, make a huge difference to the conditions of the horses on race day. Some of the horse’s feet were not acceptable and they needed to be trimmed and shod before vets would pass horses for racing. More trained farriers (shoeing) and saddlery (Tack) to rural candidates from each of the areas competing needs to be ongoing to address these issues- the completion of Coastal Horse Care Units’ Emahhashini Training Centre is going to address a lot of these issues.”
The horse inspection included the following:
Dr Sarah Halgreen – Official Vet (Department of Agriculture)
Gillian Olmesdahl – CHCU Manager
Laura Smith – CHCU rural outreach co-ordinator
Sian McFie – CHCU Stable Manager and Rural Outreach
Moosa Dotshe – CHCU Rural Outreach team leader
Sanele Kunene – CHCU Rural Outreach assistant
Kabelo Nkoane and Joseph Msiza – Highveld Horse Care Unit
VickiCampling and Penny Ward – World Horse Welfare while two SPCA officials assisted.