Wild Coast Horses

How it All Began:
21 Years at Wild Coast Horses

Nicky Hoseck

Long before the Wild Coast hosted its first horseback adventure, owner Julie-Anne Gower was discovering the delights of this remote region, tagging along as her parents moved from hotel to hotel providing relief for the permanent managers there. It’s little wonder, then, that some years later, she imagined an adventure that would see riders from all over the world hotel-hopping on horseback.

Originally from the Isle of Wight, Julie-Anne’s family moved to South Africa in 1976. Julie-Anne’s parents indulged her horse mad obsession, sending her to riding school, pony camps and supporting her when she started competing as a junior rider in both show jumping and dressage. Little did they know they were helping her build the foundations of a future business. 

From Small Beginnings to Hundreds of Happy Riders

Wild Coast Horse Trails started small, being little more than a way to supplement their farming endeavours, but soon grew into an amazing business that has seen hundreds of riders discover the joys of riding endurance-fit horses through a natural wonderland. 

Initially, it seemed unlikely that anyone would be interested in travelling to South Africa without the promise of elephants and giraffes at the end of their trip. Still, Julie-Anne’s trails soon became synonymous with some of the best riding in the southern hemisphere. 

Long, empty beaches and horses fit enough to maintain cruise control for hours drew riders from around the globe, who discovered that sometimes the simplest adventures - just horse, rider, and endless coastline - could be the most rewarding.

As Julie-Anne asserts, “There is more to riding in Africa than the classic safari and riding on the Wild Coast is not only fantastic but also connects you to rural wilderness lost in time.”

The Development of the Signature Wild Coast Horse Trail

When I first met Julie-Anne in 2003, she had just five horses earmarked for the trails, and five brand new Liversage saddles waiting to be broken in. My job, as a volunteer, was to get those horses fit for trail - a task I found more rewarding than anything I'd done before in my 30 years of riding. 

Although the route has evolved and changed dramatically over the years, some things have remained the same, such as the thrill of the long beach canters, the breathtaking views, the challenges of the technical terrain, and the sense of homecoming when you arrive at your next destination, salt-kissed and wind-blown but filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Chatting with Julie-Anne, she reminds me that “Our signature 7-night Wild Coast Trail took 10 years to come to fruition and has now been going for just over 11 years. Since COVID, they have been consistently fully booked, enabling us to make a remarkable recovery.” 

The Heart of the Operation: Our Horses

The horses are, of course, key to any trail riding business, and Wild Coast Horse Trails has excelled largely due to the quality of its equine team. Julie-Anne bred many of the horses herself having established Torstone Horse Stud in 1995. 

“I was breeding Anglo and Part bred Arabs for competitive endurance riding," she explains, "and when I started with the trails I used what I had bred. It was just a natural progression.  I also collected a random selection of horses along the way!“

Some of those random horses have proved to be the stars of the trails, with personalities like Puzzle, a tick-ridden orphaned foal Julie-Anne lovingly saved, TinTin, the ex-racehorse with a heart of gold, and Asante, who discovered his true calling in the fast-paced riding of the Wild Coast.

Many of the horses excelling in our A-team at present are horses Julie-Anne has lovingly bred and raised. Her background as a competitive endurance rider stood her in good stead for preparing horses for the longer trails, “conditioning and teaching them how to cope with the technical terrain and long distances.”

There is no shortcut to achieving this, and Julie-Anne explains, “It generally takes 2 years for a horse to become part of the “A” team.  They start on the short holiday beach rides, then graduate through the mini trail before tackling the mighty Wild Coast Adventure.”

“Testament to this is the fact that we have several horses who are in their late teens (and a couple that have just turned 20!) that are sound and still working,” she adds.

Keeping any horse at this level of fitness is challenging and requires the efforts of a large team. The Wild Coast Horses staff are dedicated to the horses' health and well-being, and the horses also benefit from “regular checks and treatments by a physiotherapist and chiropractor.

The Perfect Setting for Endurance-Fit Horses

The horses can’t perform in a vacuum, and providing an exciting experience for advanced riders while ensuring their safety in a remote location is challenging, but one that Julie-Anne’s all too familiar with. Every trail is navigated by experienced guides following established safety protocols and supported by a base team that monitors every step. 

While the horses are critical to the success of Wild Coast Horses, we couldn’t do it at all if we didn’t have this spectacular wilderness on our doorstep. Julie-Anne, who knows the region better than most, believes it's the combination of “remote emptiness, endless beaches, breathtaking views and perfectly located hotels” that make the Wild Coast uniquely suited for horseback adventures.

When asked about her vision for the future, Julie-Anne's eyes light up with possibility: "I would dearly love to see this amazing adventure continue with the next generation of horseback adventure lovers," she says. "It is such an amazing business that has raised and sustained our family for over 21 years, and I know there are people out there who could carry this dream forward.”

Conclusion 

As Wild Coast Horses celebrates 21 years of life, it stands as a testament to the power of Julie-Anne’s vision, her passion, grit, and love for horses and adventure. What started as a modest trail-riding enterprise has blossomed into a renowned international destination that offers unforgettable journeys along South Africa’s breathtaking coastline. 

Julie-Anne’s dedication to creating an unparalleled riding experience and her respect for her horses and the wilderness have established Wild Coast Horses as a truly unique experience for riders worldwide.

While the next chapter may see new hands holding the reins, the spirit of Wild Coast Horses—built on the foundations of endurance, discovery, and a love for the land—promises to endure.

Join us as we celebrate 21 years in the saddle

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