Namibia Horse Safaris

The horses at Namibia Horse Safaris live out in the bush between safaris and their ‘paddocks’ are several thousand hectares. Though the farm is very remote, it’s in an usually high rainfall area meaning native grasses are available all year round and this is what they feed on when not on safari. When on safari, each horse is fed hard feed 3 times a day, fodder 3 times a day and lucerne twice a day.

The horses are left as natural as possible and live with their friend groups, who they also go on safari with. They do between 3-4 safaris a year with a 6 week break between each safari, and the younger horses will do slightly less as they learn to manage carrying weight and build muscles & confidence. Their horses aren’t schooled as they prefer to encourage them to move and be as natural as possible which prevents injury and keeps them happy.

Despite being ‘out in the bush’ when not on safari, each horse is checked over every few days. Their staff are trained in animal husbandry, trimming and shoeing. The horses are only shod on the front during safari and the rest of the time they go barefoot. When on safari, each horse is given a mini vetting at the end of the day to make sure they’re fit enough to be ridden and continue on the next day.

The horses here are at the heart of the operation and are valued above all else.

Offbeat Riding Safaris

The horses are the heart and soul of Offbeat Riding Safaris and their wellbeing and safety is their top priority. During the day the horses roam freely as a herd under the watchful eye of a herder with ample grass to eat and this natural, stress-free lifestyle keeps them calm, confident and responsive. At night, they are stabled individually (with dry bedding, hay, water and summer sheets on) to keep them protected from predators.

Their horses are regularly rested for 1 day - 1 week at a time and most will have a month off during the closed season. Riding hours are generally from 7:30 - 10:30 am and 4:30 - 6:30 pm which protects them from overworking in high heat.

Life in the bush means the team at Offbeat have learnt to handle much of the veterinary care themselves - from treating minor ailments to day-to-day health. For more complex cases, there are vets in Nairobi and Nanyuki that they can fly or drive in. The horses are shod once a month, have their teeth done once a year, are wormed every 3 months and are fully vaccinated for Africa horse sickness, West Nile virus, rabies and tetanus.

The result of the extensive care the horses at Offbeat receive is a group of relaxed and well-schooled horses who are perfectly at ease with the sights and sounds of the wild.