The Pacaltsdorp Riding Club is working tirelessly to improve the lives of horses and uplift the local community. By providing education on horse care, offering free riding lessons, and creating a safe haven for many of these magnificent creatures, the club is making a significant impact where it is needed most.
Pacaltsdorp, South Africa (13 November 2024) – On the outskirts of George, in Pacaltsdorp, the community face various socio-economic struggles, one of them being the dangers of horses roaming busy streets.
Motivated by the desire to protect horses from having to fend for themselves—often a life-threatening situation—the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club is on a mission to improve the conditions of these horses through education and riding lessons to the less fortunate community.
Good Things Guy got in touch with Werdi Alaard who runs the club. He shared insights into the lack of awareness about animal welfare among many community members in Pacaltsdorp, which has led to horses roaming the streets, even as far as the N2 highway.
“We’ve also lost a few horses already. I’m just scared that it will get to a point where human life will be lost from an accident or someone trying to save a horse.
“At the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club, we’re trying to create order concerning this dire situation. Our people are just out of touch with caring for animals. By facilitating educational community classes to teach people how to care for horses and offering free riding lessons to children, we’re hoping to improve the way things are,” said Werdi.
Werdi said that by working closely with the community, the club is also giving children something constructive and enriching to do in their spare time other than engage in the negative social ills that plague the area such as teen pregnancies, substance abuse and gangsterism.
“Our community doesn’t even have something simple as a playground for children. We started this club as a way of trying to do our bit to make a positive difference.”
And these efforts have not been in vain. The club’s mission for a brighter future for both horses and people has been well received by the greater community with people from surrounding areas attending their educational animal welfare classes, activities and free rides.
Werdi hopes that more community members will unite behind the club’s mission, spreading awareness of their incredible work and contributing to the security of the horses both within the club and in the wider community.
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