Roaming horses still a mystery
Since the story of four horses that mysteriously roam the Simola and Blaricum Heights area in Knysna was posted on social media last week, the Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) has come no closer to finding out who they belong to.
Residents have over the past couple of months noticed the horses seemingly come and go as they please, and some have commented that they are in a very good condition and tame when you approach them.
First, information received indicated the horses belonged to a school principal. This theory has since been debunked. Annerie Graham, managing member of Garden Route Horse Welfare (GRHW) / Happy Hooves, posted that these horses belonged to residents of White Location and Concordia.
“They have always roamed free. Damaged fences, following the Knysna fires, have simply expanded their roaming ground.
In good condition
“Despite roaming free, the horses are in a remarkably good condition. None are underweight or visibly injured, thus there is no obvious welfare concern rendering the hands of local welfare organisations tied,” she says.
According to Graham it is only upon instruction from municipal law enforcement that her organisation may get involved to intervene.
“Removal of the horses under any other condition will be considered theft,” she adds.
Shortly after this theory another reader stated the horses do not belong to anyone in White location or Concordia.
“I live in Blaricum Heights. We found the owner of the horses, they are not township horses. They come from a smallholding near Green Pastures. The owner has been contacted and the horses will be returned to his property,” read the Facebook post.
No clue was given as to who the owner in question is, and reaching out to the specific reader has not borne any fruit.
Knysna municipality says that a complaint was lodged regarding the horses on Thursday 8 February but that, upon investigation, “our law enforcement officials could not find any horses at the reported location”.
According to the municipality, the applicable bylaw is currently under review, and only authorised entities/organisations may impound stray animals.
And so the mystery surrounding the horses and the hunt for their owner continues.
* If readers have any information regarding these horses or knows how we can find out, contact the Knysna-Plett Herald on 044-3821185 or email stefan@groupeditors.co.za
Residents are requested to report stray animals to municipal law enforcement on 044-302-6551 during normal office hours, and 044-302-8911 after hours.