While for most of us our horses are purely a source of relaxation and fun, and in some instances also a means of quenching our thirst for competition, there are still many horses out there who has to do a demanding job outside of the realm of recreation. I met such a horse the other day, and she immediately crept into my heart. Meet her in the article titled Patches en Petrus: Die eerste linie.

The farm horse

Patches is a farm horse. In America she would have been called a cow pony, and in Australia a stock horse. Somehow farm hor-ses, the name we have for these horses in South Africa, does not invoke the same romantic associations and yet they do the same work. Granted, there lies a much deeper culture behind the American cow pony, including a riding style and equipment that has evolved over time.

But essentially what a stock horse does in Australia, a cow pony in America and a farm horse in South Africa, is pretty much the same. They tend stock. It is therefore such a pity that we don't really rate these horses highly in our country. Neither do we rate the profession of stockmen that highly either. Many of us have romantic notions of being a cowboy or participating in a cattle drive in America, while similar activities take place on our doorstep daily.

Stockman status

It is a great pity, says Mike Nicolau, Petrus Nlhapo's employer, that the status of the stockman on your typical South African stockfarm, is rather low. Drivers of tractors and combine harvesters have a much higher status. In fact, if a worker does not shape in these roles, he is often relegated to tending stock. In his opinion, it should be the other way around.
Had the true pleasure of observing Petrus and his co-workers on Mike's farm on several occasions. There is just something about a horse and rider working in unity, that touches my heart. Nothing fancy about them, but there is a quiet confidence that everything is fine with the world.

Unfortunately it is true that all is not fine everywhere. I have also been to farms where the treatment of farm horses are shocking. Broken down from inadequate feeding and overwork, bow tendons and saddle sores on practically every horse, they stood huddled in a group, waiting for the next session of torture to begin.

This is why the initiative of Mike and Dr Danie Odendaal, in collaboration with others, to set up structured training courses for stockmen, is so pleasing and welcome. We wish them everything of the best.