What Is the Secret to a Great Trail Horse?

For many years, almost every horse in our herd had one thing in common: they were born here.

We bred them, watched them grow up, backed them ourselves, and knew every inch of their personalities long before they ever carried a guest along the Wild Coast.

Today, things look a little different. We no longer breed our own horses. Sometimes we're given horses, and sometimes we buy them, but wherever they come from, the first step is introducing them to the Wild Coast Horses family.

You might think this would change how our trails work, or how the horses behave, but it doesn't.

Want to know why?

Because the secret to a great trail horse was never where it was born; it was always what happened afterwards.

Our horses become exceptional trail horses because of the way they live, the way they work, and everything that happens in between.

And that's the real secret: we don't just find great trail horses. We create them.

Life Before Work

When a new horse arrives at the yard, it has to pass a series of tests before it can join the herd. For the first few nights, we keep our new recruits in a lunge ring in the yard. It's a safe and secure environment that allows them to settle into their new surroundings before meeting their 30-plus paddock mates.

The Wild Coast Horses herd usually greets the newcomer over the fence with a few squeals, the stamp of a front hoof, and the occasional buck and fart!

While separated from the herd, we introduce the new horse to the daily routine, from breakfast and grooming to hoof trimming and deworming. Once we're confident they're relaxed enough not to storm any fences, we move them into a slightly larger enclosure and begin introducing them to the herd a few horses at a time.

This gradual approach reduces the risk of bullying and injury while allowing the new horse to build friendships without being overwhelmed by the entire herd.

Learning the Wild Coast

Every horse that joins our paddocks receives a thorough assessment during its first few months. Even if it has previously worked under saddle, we'll still go back to basics with groundwork before mounting up for the first time.

We also introduce our horses to Tellington T-Touch techniques and exercises to help desensitise them and address any behavioural or physical issues. We get both the physiotherapist and a chiropractor to check them over to ensure they're comfortable and moving freely under saddle.

Work begins with basic schooling and gentle in-hand walks, allowing them to become familiar with the terrain and working alongside other horses. As they become fitter and settle into their new routine, we gradually take them further afield.

Seeing the sea for the first time is a particularly important milestone, so we pair new horses with experienced members of the herd to show them the ropes. The same applies to their first canter on the beach, which is always kept calm and relaxed, away from any of our more enthusiastic horses.

Likewise, we introduce every new horse to the ferry well before their first trail, making sure each step of the process is familiar before they're asked to do it with guests.

Only once a horse has completed all these steps, under the guidance of our team and participants on our Working Riding Holiday program, do they embark on their first outrides, beginning with our shorter beginner rides before progressing to full-day rides when they're ready.

Even horses that arrive with trail experience go through the same process. It allows us to identify and address any issues before they affect our guests, the rest of the herd, or the horse itself.

When it's finally time for that first multi-day trail, our new horses head out with an experienced rider, often one of our Working Riding Holiday participants or a member of our own team, giving them a calm and confident introduction to obstacles such as rocks, river crossings and everything else the Wild Coast has to offer.

These strong foundations create the kind of trail horse people don't just enjoy riding; they fall in love with them.

The Finishing Touches

While a horse's mental and physical capacity is essential, it's only part of the picture.

Good tack that's properly fitted and regularly checked allows every horse to work comfortably and efficiently. We exclusively use South African-made Liversage saddles, designed specifically for trail and endurance riding. They distribute the rider's weight more evenly across the horse's back, allowing greater freedom of movement and making it easier for horses to tackle technical terrain and cover long distances in comfort.

And then there are the feet.

You've probably heard the saying, "No hoof, no horse," and with all our horses living and working barefoot, hoof care is one of our highest priorities.

Regular trims, careful daily management and a nutritious diet all play an important role. Every member of our (human) team contributes to keeping our horses' feet healthy because we know just how much every mile depends on them.

Why Guests Don't Notice the Difference

By the time one of our horses carries its first guest, all of the hard work has already been done.

Whether a horse was bred here, received as a gift or purchased elsewhere, every one goes through the same careful process of training, exposure and preparation. At the same time, we treat each horse as an individual, recognising their unique personalities, strengths and areas for development.

Guests rarely notice where a horse came from because all they experience is a calm, confident partner that's ready for the adventure ahead.

The Real Secret

So, what is the secret to a great trail horse?

There isn't just one.

It's hundreds of small things done consistently, every single day. It's patient introductions, thoughtful training, experienced guidance, healthy feet, well-fitting tack, and a herd environment where horses are free to be horses.

By the time one of our horses carries you across a river, along an empty beach or over the rolling green hills of the Wild Coast, years of care, patience and preparation have already gone into that moment.

That's the real secret to a great trail horse, and the reason our guests don't just ride the Wild Coast. They ride, connect, and, most importantly, belong.