|
Skou
Datums 2009
|
KAAPSE BOERPERD / CAPE BOERPERD
The Kaapse Boerperd (“Cape Boer Horse”)
differs significantly from any other
existing horse breed with regard to
basic conformation. In 1948, a group of
concerned horse breeders felt that the
early Kaapse perd faces possible
extinction and therefore initiated
formal steps to breed and improve this
horse breed. The early Cape Horse was
universally popular and was one of the
first horse breeds to be exported from
South Africa to Australia. The Kaapse
horse was renowned for its endurance as
well as the ability to work hard on a
meager diet and still remain in a fairly
good condition. The horses had an easy,
comfortable gait and could carry a big
rider effortlessly over difficult
terrain for extended periods.
These and other fine characteristics
of the early Kaapse horse prompted
breeders to develop a horse breed with
the same features and to improve and
upgrade the breed at the same time be a
pleasurable riding horse with a good
temperament. It was considered important
that the horse had to be able to hold
its own in the show ring.
Attempts were made to identify suitable
breeding animals, but because of
exports, droughts and other disasters,
suitable animals were hard to come by.
Stallions were especially rare. It was
then decided to make use of stallions of
other breeds that conformed to the basic
requirements of the breed and which
could make a positive contribution in
terms of establishing the fledgling
breed. Breeds considered in this regard
included the Arab, Hackney and Flemish
Horse and the American Saddle Horse. The
saddle horse were selected because of
the fact the Boerperd mares were used as
foundation mares in the breeding program
of the Saddle horse in South Africa.
Stallions of these breeds were used in
conjunction with Boerperd stallions to
breed foals conforming to all the breed
standards.
It was decided that all horses would
be subjected to inspection and that
those which passed would be entered into
a foundation register. Foals born from
foundation parents would then, after
passing inspection, be entered into an
upgrading programme. A stringent
selection policy ensured that only
desirable animals were allowed to the
upgrading programme. Mares became
eligible for inspection at two years of
age and stallions at three years of age.
The Boerperd Herd Book was initially
closed in 1964 and no more “foreign”
horses were accepted to the breeding
programme. The herd Book was, however,
re-opened in 1970 for a period of one
year. In 1981 the South African Stud
Book and Livestock Improvement
Associations accepted the affiliation of
the Kaapse Boerperd Breeders’ Society
and animals with the desired qualities
were again accepted into the re-opened
Herd Book of F1 animals, after passing
inspection.
In 1993 it was realized that the
Kaapse Boerperd was beginning to lose
its identity. A decision was taken to
nominate specific stallions from other
breeds to enhance some of the traits of
the Kaapse Boerperd. In 1994 eight
stallions were nominated and inspected
by a specially appointed inspector. The
progeny of these stallions were entered
into the herd book as F1-animals. The
Society followed the normal upgrading
programme and no animal was registered
without passing an inspection.
In 1999 the Herd Book was closed and no
foreign material are permitted.
The Cape Boerperd was declared an
indigenous developed breed.
With the long history of registration
as a developing breed with horses
registered as F1 – F4 Studbook and the
Director of Animal improvement suggested
that horses will be classified as
follows in the future:
Basic herdbook will include all basic
stock plus F1 animals of which the
father and mother are not known. All F1
animals with parents on record plus
offspring of basic herd animals mated to
F2 stallions and higher will be
registered in Herdbook A. All F2 animals
with both parents on record will be
registered in herdbook B. All F2 animals
and higher with both parents and
grandparents on record will be
registered in the SP or fully registered
section.
The ideal Kaapse Boerperd must be of
medium height (between 14,2 and 16
hands), strong without being clumsy and
have quality, especially in its legs. As
the Kaapse Boerperd is primarily used
for arduous and demanding farm work, the
horse must be robust, have good
endurance and be fast and surefooted.
The Kaapse Boerperd should ride
comfortably with enough speed in its
various gaits. This will ensure that it
can also be used as a pleasure horse.
Above all, the horse should not tire its
rider. It is also important that the
Kaapse Boerperd have enough grace and
action to hold its own in the show ring,
in breeding and in the riding classes.
A Kaapse Boerperd is allowed to
display a lot of quality, as well as a
fiery posture and action, on condition
that it meets the stringent standards of
conformation and type. If an animal has
an unnatural stretch for a stance, which
may hide aspects of its conformation and
appearance, it is desirable to let such
an animal move around. The Kaapse
Boerperd has a proud head and high
rolling action. The horse has a good
temperament and may be ridden
comfortably, but with action, grace and
style. The horse does not scare easily
and is not excitable. The Kaapse
Boerperd has the ability to maintain
good condition on a meager diet and
adapts to a wide variety of
circumstances.
The Kaapse Boerperd is a registered
breed with SA Studbook. At present there
are about 650 horses on record. The
Breed Society and SA Studbook is in the
process of updating all records.
All foals from registered parents are
registered in the foalbook. At age three
these young horses are inspected by a
panel of 3 or more inspectors appointed
by the Breed Society.
Only about 25% of all registered Cape
Boerperd end up in the “Saddleseat”
showring. The rest are used for pleasure
riding, dressage, jumping etc.
The Cape Boerperd is a multi purpose
horse that can be used for work,
pleasure and show. The Cape Boerperd is
a very versatile horse and it is the aim
of the Breeders Society to show the Cape
Boerperd in all its diverse forms. We
have a “saddle seat” as well as a
“standard seat” division at shows.
Horses are also exhibited in harness
classes as well as in Carriage driving.
Cape Boerperd are also used for show
jumping, dressage, out rides, endurance
riding and game viewing.
Rulebook:
During 1997 a rulebook for the Cape
Boerperd was published by the Breeders
Society. This book is updated annually
and is available in English and
Afrikaans. This rulebook is used by
judges, breeders etc to learn more about
the Kaapse Boerperd.
Website:
The year 2001 saw the start of a website
for the Cape Boerperd.
www.capeboerperd.co.za Information about
the horse itself, the SA Boerperd
Amateur union, board members, the youth
program, “For Sale” page etc are
available on this website.
Cape Boerperd Youth Program (CBYP)
In 2004 the Cape Boerperd Youth program
was started.
The youth program of the Cape Boerperd
Breeders Society and the SA Boerperd
Amateur Union aims to introduce the Cape
Boerperd and it’s versatility to all
horse loving children. We aim to involve
the youth in all aspects of the horse
industry. The CBYP is a program for
young people with a common interest in
horses. CBYP offers a variety of
programs and competitions that challenge
members to become involved, to learn,
and to develop competence in all areas
of the horse industry.
While working with the Cape Boerperd,
members develop a sense of sportsmanship
and fair play, learn citizenship skills,
master leadership skills and develop
discipline and responsibility for
themselves and their horses.
The CBYP is designed to bring out the
best in its members - no
matter what their skills and interests
Since the early 1992 regular Boerperd
courses are held under the auspices of
the Breeders Society and the Amateur
Union. Since the early 1900 regular
symposiums and judges courses are also
presented by these societies.
(SABAU) SA Boerperd Amateur Union
AMATEUR - STATUS
In 1990 a long awaited ideal was
realized when the Cape Boerperd Breeders
Society initiated a sport organization
using the Cape Boerperd as sport horse.
In 1990 this organization was allocated
Amateur Status by the Dept of Sport and
SABAU was formed.
The country is divided into provinces.
In each province riders compete at club
and regional shows and competitions.
From these results provincial teams are
selected to compete for the “Pietie
Joubert” shield at the South African
Boerperd Amateur Championships. A
National team is selected on an annual
basis to compete against teams from
other countries.
The SA Boerperd Amateur Union (SABAU)
caters for its members in a lot of
different divisions. At present there
are a “Saddleseat” division, a
“Standard” seat division, “Pleasure”
ride and “Carriage” driving division.
Development and advanced training
courses are held on a regular basis.
SABAU is a fast growing organization
with members from all walks of life.
SABAU is a member of ESSASA.
PROVINCIAL STRUCTURES
SABAU chairman:
Ezelle Marais
Vice chairman:
Anne-Marie Buitendach
Freestate Province: Chairman:
Anne-Marie Buitendach
Eastern Province: EPBAU Chairman:
Baby Muller
Western Province: WPBAU Chairman:
Griekwas: Chairman:
Job Steenkamp - 082 8987726
Nothern Province chairman:
Gert Kruger - 0824964736
Participation in shows is growing
continuously and because of its
affordability, the Kaapse Boerperd is
enjoying growing popularity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Breed Director: Ezelle Marais (+27 42)
int. (042 local) 2472296
President: Ezelle Marais
Secretary: Miss Tania van der walt (+27
42) int. (042 local) 247 2138
(+27
72) int. (072 local) 709 4224
E-mail: taniavdw@cmw.co.za
Kaapse Boerperd Breeders’ Society of SA
P O Box 55
COOKHOUSE – 5820
Telephone: (+27 42) int. (042 local)
2472296
Facsimile: (+27 86) int. (086 local)
5091959
e-mail: ezelle@capeboerperd.co.za
Website: www.capeboerperd.co.za
DIFFERENT DIVISIONS
The Cape Boerperd is a very versatile
horse and it is the aim of the Breeders
Society to show the Cape Boerperd in all
its diverse forms. We have a “saddle
seat” as well as a “standard seat”
division at shows. Horses are also
exhibited in harness classes.
Classes as well as in Carriage driving.
Cape Boerperd are also used for show
jumping, out rides, endurance riding and
game viewing.
Since 31 December 1999 the register of
the Cape Boerperd is closed to “outside”
horses. The Kaapse/Cape Boerperd was
then declared a developed breed. All
foals from registered parent are
recorded in the foal register. At the
age of 3 years all foals are inspected
by a panel of three inspectors before
such a horse can be recorded in the
Kaapse/Cape Boerperd register.
The Kaapse/Cape Boerperd was also
declared a South African breed. This
means a breed bred in South Africa for
South African conditions. National
championships are held annually at the
end of February in George.
YOUTH PROGRAM
In 2001 the Breeders Society also
started a youth program aimed at
promoting the breed with the youth.
How do I go about becoming a Breeder
of Cape Boerperd.
1. Become a member of the Cape Boerperd
breeders Society. Buy doing this you
will also become a member of SA Studbook
and receive your stud number and stud
name.
2. Get a foal book from the breed
society secretary
3. Buy a registered Cape Boerperd mare
over the age of 3 years
4. Use or buy a registered Cape Boerperd
Stallion
5. Mate the horses when the mare is in
season and please remember to keep
record of the mating date and the names
of the horses mated. If you make use of
a stallion belonging to somebody else,
make sure you are given a mating
certificate.
6. Have your mare tested by a vet to
make sure she is pregnant.
7. 11 months later you will hopefully be
a healthy foal richer.
8. Fill in the foal’s particulars in the
foal book in duplicate.
8 .a Date of birth
b. Sex
c. Name of foal
d. Name of father with his registration
number
e. Name of mother with her registration
number
f. Markings and color of the foal.
g. Fill in the picture with the color
markings as well.
h. Send the top copy of the birth
notification to the secretary of the
Cape Boerperd Breeders Society at P.O.
Box 55, Cookhouse, 5820 If you have
used somebody else’s stallion make sure
to include the mating certificate.
i. You will get an account for the
foal’s registration
j. You will get a foal book registration
for your foal on payment of the fees.
k. When your foal is 3 years old it has
to be inspected for the adult register
of the Cape Boerperd.
l. Apply to the Cape Boerperd Breeders
Society for an inspection of your foal.
m. The 3 inspectors will inspect your
foal during an inspection tour. If it
passes the inspection it will become a
registered Cape Boerperd.
Please remember breeding is not for
“sissies” so to speak. There is no
foolproof way to know that you have
mated the right pair of horses. Every
foal is an individual and this makes
breeding such a demanding and
interesting job.
To Contact Us:
Phone: +27 (0) 42 247 2296
Fax: +27 (0) 42 247 2296
Email: ezelle@capeboerperd.co.za
P.O. Box 55
COOKHOUSE
5850
South Africa
Secretary: Miss Tania van der walt (+27
42) int. (042 local) 247 2138
(+27
72) int. (072 local) 709 4224
E-mail: taniavdw@cmw.co.za
The Cape Boerperd breeders Society was
formed in 1948. A group of horse
enthusiasts realized that the horse was
fast disappearing in our mechanical age.
These people realized how popular the
old Cape Horse was throughout the world.
The Cape Horse was famous for it’s
hardiness, endurance and it’s ability to
work hard on minimum feed, yet still
maintain condition. It was all these
outstanding characteristics that made
these people to raise a breed that would
display all these characteristics and
improve and refined to be ideally
suitable for South African conditions.
The Cape Boerperd is a multi purpose
horse that can be used for work,
pleasure and show.
How do I buy and choose the right Cape
Boerperd?
We have put together some information to
help you through this selection process.
When you start talking about Cape
Boerperd, you'll hear one phrase over
and over-"This horse can do ANYTHING and
EVERYTHING!"
How to buy and choose a Cape Boerperd
First decide what you want and why you
want a horse.
The selection and purchase of your Cape
Boerperd horse is the first step to an
involvement with the Cape Boerperd world
that can be one of the most rewarding
and enjoyable experiences you will ever
have. The information in the next couple
of pages will help guide you through the
process of selecting and purchasing the
Cape Boerperd that is right for you.
While these pages will provide you with
a lot of answers about selecting and
buying your new Cape Boerperd, you will
discover many questions for which you
will have to find your own answers. The
answers to those questions will
determine in large measure what Cape
Boerperd is right for you. The more
diligent you are in asking those
questions, and the better you understand
the answers, the better the relationship
you and your new Cape Boerperd will
have.
Become a Member of the Cape Boerperd
Breeders Society or the SA Boerperd
Amateur Union
The first step in the selection of a
Cape Boerperd that will meet your
expectations and be capable of
delivering the full potential of the
Cape Boerperd experience involves some
examination of your resources. As a
horse owner, you have the obligation to
care for your new horse properly. Before
you buy a horse, be sure you understand
what your responsibilities will be and
how they will be carried out. If a Cape
Boerperd is to be your first horse, the
assistance of experienced Cape Boerperd
owners can be invaluable. They can help
you assess your needs, resources, and
goals to help steer you to the right
horse. The Cape Boerperd Breeders
Society can provide you with a list of
Cape Boerperd owners in your area who
will be able to assist you in finding
and purchasing your first Cape Boerperd
or visit the” For SALE” page and take a
look for yourself.
Time
Your enjoyment of Cape Boerperd
ownership will significantly improve if,
in the very beginning of the process,
you closely examine your available
resources. Of particular importance is
time. How much time can you devote to
your Cape Boerperd? How you answer this
question will make a tremendous
difference to the cost of horse
ownership. Do you have time to care for
your horse at home? Maintaining a stable
at home can be very enjoyable, but it
will require a commitment of your time
with your horse. It is important to
remember that this will be time in
addition to the pure recreational time
with your Cape Boerperd. If you do not
have time to maintain a stable by
yourself, you may want to consider
paying for some extra help at home, or
it may make sense to board your Cape
Boerperd at a facility where its routine
daily care can be done for you so your
time can be used for trail riding,
driving, lessons, competitions, etc.
Money
It is often said that buying the horse
is the cheapest part. It is unfair to
your horse to buy it and then discover
your financial resources will not allow
you to care for it properly. Annual care
and maintenance costs vary greatly
depending on many things. A horse turned
out to pasture year round will cost
considerably less than a youngster in
full-time professional training. Horse
care costs also vary depending on where
you live. Fortunately Cape Boerperd are
relatively inexpensive to feed and care
for, and are known as “easy keepers.”
Ask local horse owners about the costs
of various types of horse care in your
area. Always remember, a good horse and
a bad horse cost the same to care for –
make the right choice.
The price of your new Cape Boerperd will
vary depending on the horse’s age,
breeding, level of training, competitive
ability, and overall quality as a
representative of the Cape Boerperd
breed. . Once you have a clear
determination of your specific needs,
stick to your selected criteria and,
when you find the right Cape Boerperd,
be willing to pay just a little bit more
if you can. You will not regret it.
Skills
In selecting the right Cape Boerperd,
you must assess your own equine skills.
If you are already an experienced rider
or driver, most likely you have a clear
idea about the level of training and
ability your new horse already should
have. However, if you do not have much
horse experience, consider taking some
lessons with a professional trainer in
order to assess your skill level and
make a better determination of the
training level your new Cape Boerperd
should have to match your skills. While
it is an attractive idea to buy a horse
to “move up to” in terms of your own
skills, it may prove to be very
frustrating to own a horse you cannot
enjoy because it is too advanced for
your skill level. If there is any
question, re-examine your choice and
reconsider buying a Cape Boerperd more
suitable to your present skill level
Will you be selecting a Cape Boerperd
that needs further training? Do you have
the time and skill to provide this?
Novice riders and novice horses do not
suit each other, you will only get
frustrated. You may need to consider
placing your Cape Boerperd in the care
of a professional trainer and recognize
that it may take some additional time
and money for your Cape Boerperd to
become ready for you to ride and drive
on your own
The Cape Boerperd Standard of Perfection
The Cape Boerperd has a specific written
description and graphic illustrations of
the ideal type and conformation. Since
this is a description of the ideal
mature Cape Boerperd, it is best to have
an experienced breeder or trainer help
you evaluate your selection if you are
considering a young, immature Cape
Boerperd. It is wise to keep in mind
that the Cape Boerperd Standard is a
description of the “ideal” Cape Boerperd.
Obviously, not every Cape Boerperd has
ideal type and conformation. You will
find many individuals that have good,
but not “perfect” conformation, and good
but not “perfect” Cape Boerperd type.
These individuals may, however, be
perfectly acceptable and ideally suited
for your needs. Of course, it is wise to
evaluate the conformational deficiencies
and what impact they may have on your
intended uses of your new Cape Boerperd.
Again, an experienced Cape Boerperd
judge, trainer or breeder as well as a
good veterinarian can provide
immeasurable assistance and perhaps help
you avoid disappointments in the future.
Selecting the right Cape Boerperd
A horse is more than just a pretty color
or a cute face. Temperament, age, size,
gender, training level, and suitability
for your preferred discipline are just a
few of the other things to consider when
you select the right Cape Boerperd for
your needs.
Temperament
Most people find that of all the
characteristics possessed by horses, the
right temperament is paramount to an
enjoyable relationship. The Cape
Boerperd is known and bred for its
wonderfull temperament. Their
willingness to please is legendary among
horse breeds. However, Cape Boerperd
temperaments vary from horse to horse
and it is wise for you to spend some
time with your prospective purchase in
order to assess its basic temperament
and disposition. If you are
inexperienced at assessing equine
temperament, you should enlist the aid
of an experienced horse person,
preferably someone who has success in
matching people to horses. Once you have
located a Cape Boerperd that seems to
fit your criteria, make arrangements
with the seller to spend some time with
this horse before you purchase it. Be
wary of sellers who are reluctant to
allow reasonable visitation.
Size
The Cape Boerperd Breed Standard calls
for horses between 14.2 and 16 hands
with some individuals over those
heights. The Cape Boerperd is a very
strong and durable horse for its size
and smaller individuals are generally
much more capable than horses of similar
size in other breeds. It is probably
wise to try horses of various sizes
before you make the final determination
of what size is right for you and the
uses you have in mind for your Cape
Boerperd. Do not dismiss the smaller
Cape Boerperd for children and small
adults. Some people are easily
intimidated by larger horses and find
the smaller Cape Boerperd quite suitable
for their needs. Taller people generally
prefer proportionally taller horses.
Size is an important consideration, but
it should probably not be the highest
priority on your search criteria list.
Age
A horse reaches its physical maturity at
about eight years of age. Cape Boerperd
are generally first trained to ride and
drive as early as two years of age. At
those young ages though, their training
is far from complete and their physical
and mental immaturity enables only
limited use. The advantage to purchasing
a young Cape Boerperd is that you have
more control over its handling and
training than you might have with an
older horse. On the other hand, the
advantages to purchasing an older horse
is that the bulk of its elementary
training should be behind it and it may
be ready to fully enjoy right away. When
purchasing an older horse, you should
determine what kind of handling and
training history it has. It may be good,
in which case your new Cape Boerperd
will be ready to enjoy right away. It
may, however, be unknown or even filled
with events that may take some serious
professional handling to overcome. If
your prospect has an unknown history, it
will absolutely benefit you to have a
professional evaluation of that horse
before you purchase it.
Do not overlook the teenage (over 10
years of age) Cape Boerperd! Cape
Boerperd generally live long and useful
lives and some of the best buys in the
breed are the teenagers. They have
training, experience, and a history of
usability that makes their suitability
for your needs easier to assess. Chances
are a teenage Cape Boerperd that is
still strong, sound, and healthy will
not have tendencies for lameness or
health problems. Keep in mind that the
older horses most likely will have more
mileage, which inevitably will take some
toll. If you are considering an older
horse, make the effort to determine what
kind of “mileage” your prospective
purchase has had, as it will help you
evaluate how much stress was involved.
Gender
The question of breeding potential in
your prospective purchase is important
in certain situations. If the primary
use of your Cape Boerperd will be
breeding, you should be selecting only
stock that meets the highest criteria,
especially in terms of temperament,
type, and conformation. If you are
selecting a Cape Boerperd mare or
stallion primarily for use as a
performance horse, the question of
breeding quality may be secondary to
other criteria. The steady, reliable,
and consistent temperament and
performance of Cape Boerperd geldings
often will make up for their lack of
breeding potential and geldings
generally make great choices for family
recreational horses. Probably the most
common fault in selecting horses is the
idea that if the horse does not live up
to its potential as a performance horse,
one can always use it for breeding. Only
Cape Boerperd stock that is
intentionally selected for breeding and
meets the strictest criteria in terms of
Cape Boerperd temperament, type, and
conformation should be used to
reproduce. It is not advisable for any
first time horse owner to buy a
stallion.
Level of Training
Horses are never too old to learn and
Cape Boerperd are wonderful at learning
new things as they get older. The Cape
Boerperd is a versatile breed and many
individuals are very capable of learning
new and different disciplines. Generally
speaking, the inexperienced rider or
driver combined with the inexperienced
horse is not an ideal match, and is best
avoided unless you have professional
help that can help the two of you make
it work. If the Cape Boerperd you have
in mind has not reached the training
level that is suitable for your skills,
carefully assess whether you are willing
and able to make the additional
investment of money in training. It can
be a very rewarding educational
experience to be involved with this
training, but be realistic about the
time it will take to bring the horse to
your skill level. Seek advice from
professional trainers about what will be
involved in bringing along your Cape
Boerperd to the point where you can ride
or drive it. And remember: when training
horses, faster rarely means better.
Suitability to Discipline
The immediate goal is to buy a horse
that is suitable for the discipline you
plan to pursue. The Cape Boerperd that
is a star as a driving horse may know
little or nothing about saddle work.
That will likely make it unsuitable for
riding disciplines without further
training. Only with the help of a very
good, trained, experienced eye should
you try to select a suitable horse which
is not already engaged in the immediate
discipline you plan to pursue.
The hallmark of the Cape Boerperd breed
is its innate versatility. A Cape
Boerperd with good training and handling
is capable of pursuing and becoming
competent at many different disciplines.
Your purchasing amount may buy you much
more horse for the money than some other
breeds. This becomes an important
consideration as the two of you grow
older together. You may begin with a
riding horse and decide years later that
driving would be more enjoyable. The
Cape Boerperd is up to the challenge.
Many competitive Cape Boerperd began by
excelling in one discipline and moved
through several others as they aged and
as their owners changed their desires
and priorities. If you are purchasing an
older horse, do not underestimate the
value of the training; it may already
have had in a discipline or two that is
different from the one for which you are
purchasing it. Your situation may change
or you may decide to sell your Cape
Boerperd at a later date. The better and
more extensive it’s training, the
greater enjoyment and versatility that
horse has for you. And, if you need to
sell your horse, your opportunities for
securing a good home are far better.
Communicating with the Seller
Buyer beware. Asking questions is often
your best insurance that what you see is
what you are buying. Ask why the horse
is for sale. The only dumb question is
the one you do not ask. No seller should
be reluctant to answer your questions or
be evasive in his or her answers. Beware
if you are unsatisfied with the answers
or if the seller is not readily
forthcoming.
Not all the onus is on the seller to
recommend a suitable horse for you. You
have to be honest in communicating your
requirements and your abilities to the
seller. Only then will they be able to
recommend the correct horse. If they
know your requirements, reputable
sellers will not intentionally sell you
an unsuitable Cape Boerperd.
Videos/Photos
Sellers often have photos or videos of
the Cape Boerperd they have for sale and
will send them to you prior to an actual
visit. These are useful tools to help
give you some idea of what the horses
are like but be careful not to place too
much importance on what you see.
Sometimes what you really need to know
is not in the video. Use them only as a
guide. Call the seller back if the
materials raise more questions. When
viewing videos, remember that most
televisions are not properly adjusted,
particularly in horizontal and vertical
adjustments, and this can present an
inaccurate picture of the horses. Do not
necessarily move on to another horse if
the seller does not have videos or
photos readily available. Good photos
can be hard to come by and not everyone
is equipped to make a sales video.
Competition Records
Ask for a competition record if the Cape
Boerperd has been shown in competition.
The younger the horse, the shorter the
record will be. Do not necessarily move
on to the next horse if the horse does
not have a performance record. But do
try to find out why it does not exist or
appears to be incomplete. Ask about the
level of competition. All wins are not
equal. Be reasonable in your
expectations of horses that have won at
the local level when they move up to
regional or national levels.
Care Records
Every Cape Boerperd should have some
sort of record of its vaccinations and
worming (Horse passport). Cape Boerperd
generally are very hardy, sound horses
but you should ask for a veterinary
record which would list episodes of
lameness and illness. Ask about those
incidents if they are present. Report
them to the veterinarian who may be
assisting you with your purchase and ask
them to evaluate their importance. Ask
about stable vices. The Cape Boerperd is
relatively free of stable vices, but
they do exist. Some vices are relatively
harmless, but others can be tough to
live with and can be detrimental to the
health of the horse. Fortunately, the
Cape Boerperd breed has few inherent
weaknesses when it comes to feet and
legs. You should ask about the horse’s
foot care and you may wish to speak
directly with the farrier who maintains
the horse’s feet.
Daily Handling
Ask about the horse’s regular daily
care. The manner in which it is
presently being cared for may be
significantly different than what you
have planned. That difference may be
critical to the attitude and disposition
of the horse, as well as to its physical
appearance. For instance, a horse that
is used to being outside 24 hour a day
may change dramatically in personality
if you plan to keep it stabled for long
periods of time. Conversely, a horse
kept stabled most of the time may react
unexpectedly if you plan to keep it
outside all the time. Ask how the horse
gets along with other horses. What is
its turnout schedule? Is it apt to be
the herd boss, somewhere lower in the
order, or at the bottom? Most of the
time none of these positions is more or
less desirable than another, but the
answer may give you some more insight
into the personality of the horse and
help you assess how successful your
plans for it may be. Ask the seller to
characterize the horse’s disposition. Is
it compatible with your criteria?
Ask about the horse’s training history.
Who trained it, when, for how long, and
in what way (i.e.saddle seat showing,
show harness, carriage, hunt seat,
jumping, endurance etc.)? Are the
answers compatible with your plans?
Speak with the person or persons who
trained the horse. Often they can tell
you more about the horse than the
seller. Try to determine what the horse
does not know. Are these things which it
will have to learn before it becomes the
Cape Boerperd of your dreams? If so, how
much time, effort, and money will it
take and is the horse likely to learn
them?
Trying the Horse
Once you have spoken with the seller and
had your initial questions answered,
make an appointment with the seller to
see and try the horse at a time that is
convenient for all parties involved. If
you feel unsure about your ability to
assess the horse in any area—whether it
be disposition, conformation, type,
soundness, and/or training level,
etc.—it is unwise to proceed without the
help of someone who has more experience.
Keep your eyes open when you visit the
seller. When you first see the horse,
does it appear at first glance to be the
horse that was described to you? If you
were told it was 15 hands and bay and it
looks 14.2 hands and a different color,
move on to the next seller. Try to
assess the disposition of the horse, not
only while it is being ridden or driven
but at all times when you are together.
You may learn a lot about the horse by
how it has been, or is being, kept.
When trying the horse, always ask to see
it being ridden or driven by its handler
before you try it yourself. Never ride
or drive a horse you are not positively
certain can perform at least the basics
for you. If you are buying a horse to
“grow into” as your skills improve, take
an accomplished rider or driver with you
and have him or her try the horse for
you. Do not rely on the seller to do
this for you unless you know him or her
to be reputable.
Price
Obviously the price of the horse must be
within your budget. Often the asking
price can be negotiated. However, do not
waste your time or the seller’s time
trying horses out of your price range.
Find out how firm the horse’s price is
before you try it. Purchase negotiations
can be quite simple or quite complex
depending on many factors. If the horse
meets your needs but is slightly beyond
what you planned to spend, in the long
run it may be worth the extra money up
front to own exactly the Cape Boerperd
you want. You may also find that you and
the seller can work out a deal that is
comfortable for both of you. Sellers
usually are pretty good at making
adjustments in order to sell their
horses. On the other hand they usually
know what their horses are worth, and
expecting them to drop their price
significantly just because you cannot
afford to pay more is unrealistic.
Payment Terms
Sometimes sellers will extend payment
terms for their horses. Since a horse is
a living, breathing animal, such
arrangements can sometimes be quite
complicated, especially if breeding
options are involved. Such arrangements
can and do work for both the buyer and
the seller, but usually it is better to
pay for the horse in full and own it
outright from the signing of the
purchase and sales contract.
Warranties/Guarantees
The legal intricacies of warranties and
guarantees vary from sale to sale. You
may wish to check with a legal adviser
if you are concerned about them. Clauses
that address them should be included in
the purchase and sales agreement. Do not
sign one until you are satisfied they
are present in the contract and that
they will hold up in the event of
problems after the sale. Sometimes
conditions or stipulations will apply to
the sale of a horse. These might take
the form of describing or restricting
the use for which the horse is being
sold, such as for breeding purposes
only. The seller may know things about
the horse that they may wish to
stipulate prior to the sale. For
instance, the seller may know the horse
has a stable vice or is unable to be
bred and wish to make certain you are
aware of it. These types of conditions
and stipulations should be specifically
written into the purchase and sale
agreement.
Trial Periods
Some sellers will offer trial periods
during which the buyer can live with the
horse to further assess its suitability
and compatibility with you and its new
environment. The structure of trial
period agreements will vary greatly from
seller to seller. Inquire about it, but
don’t expect it. The terms of such an
arrangement should be precisely spelled
out in writing beforehand to avoid any
misunderstandings. Instead of an
official trial period, most sellers will
gladly make reasonable time available to
buyers to spend some time with the
horses before actually buying them. This
is a courteous gesture and you should
return it by being reasonable in your
requests.
The Purchase Process
The Pre-Purchase Exam
Once you have determined that the horse
meets all your requirements, it is a
good practice to have a veterinarian of
your choosing perform a pre-purchase
exam. the seller. The results of a
pre-purchase exam should give you a
picture of the physical condition of the
horse on the day it was performed. It
may give you some idea about what its
life was like up to that point as your
vet may find existing evidence of
previous injury. It may also give you
some ideas about the future soundness of
the horse. Obviously your vet cannot
predict the future or reconstruct the
past with 100 percent accuracy, but he
or she may be able to uncover warning
signs of future problems based on his or
her findings. It makes a lot of sense
for you to be present at the
pre-purchase exam, if at all possible.
This will allow you to discuss findings
with your veterinarian as they are made.
Such discussions may save you money and
will undoubtedly influence how the
examination proceeds. One of the most
common ways to proceed with a veterinary
pre-purchase exam is to start with the
rudimentary checks on the eyes, heart,
lungs, teeth, and a basic soundness
evaluation. Suspicious or obvious
defects should be noted. Those findings
may be enough to cause you to reject the
horse for your purposes at that point.
If you decide to investigate further,
the examination should then proceed with
a more in-depth analysis. Flexion tests
of the limbs may indicate the existence
of problems which may need further
investigation. X-rays of the feet and
the perhaps joints higher up the leg may
be in order. Whether these are necessary
will depend on the individual horse’s
age and condition, your intended use,
and how much maintenance you are willing
to commit to in order to keep your
future horse healthy and sound. If you
plan to use your new Cape Boerperd for
breeding, your veterinarian should
examine it with that in mind. They
should be able to give you fairly
accurate fertility predictions. If the
horse already has been used for
breeding, ask the seller for any
breeding records they have. Once the
examination is complete and you
understand the ramifications of any
problems that were uncovered, it is up
to you to decide if you are willing and
able to live with any problems. Your
veterinarian can help you determine what
may be involved, but only you can
determine whether you can live with
them. If you feel unqualified to make
the determination, rely on your
veterinarian’s expert opinion or that of
any experienced advisers who are helping
you with your purchase decisions.
Documentation
Once you are satisfied that you have
found a suitable Cape Boerperd and with
the findings of the pre-purchase exam,
it is time to sign the Purchase and Sale
Agreement. Not every contract will be
the same and sellers usually have a form
they prefer. There are, however, some
clauses which should be in every
contract, such as the name of the owner
who is selling the horse; commissions
involved; the date of the transaction;
the name, description, and Cape Boerperd
Breeders Society registration number of
the horse; the price of the horse; and
how payment is to be made. Clauses about
warranties, guarantees, and other
stipulations as applicable to this
particular horse, who will pay for the
registration transfer (or who will pay
for the registration if it is not
already registered) should also be
included. Generally speaking it is a
good idea for the buyer to secure a
signed registration transfer form from
the seller and to send it to the Cape
Boerperd Breeders Society themselves,
but some sellers prefer to do it. If the
Cape Boerperd is not already registered,
make sure it is eligible. If you have
questions about the eligibility contact
the Cape Boerperd Breeders Society. In
any event, how and when the official
transfer and updated registration papers
of the horse are to be handled should be
in writing in the Purchase and Sale
Agreement. Both buyer and seller should
retain signed copies.
Leasing
Leasing can sometimes be a reasonable
alternative to purchase and is mentioned
here only because it may provide some
benefits to both the owner/lessor and
the lessee. This may be especially true
if you are not entirely sure horse
ownership is for you. It does provide a
way for you to experience life with
horses without the risk and commitment
of outright ownership.
Conclusion
If at any time during your search for
the perfect Cape Boerperd you have any
questions not answered in these pages,
please contact the Cape Boerperd
Breeders Society. They will make every
effort to answer your questions or put
you in touch with someone who can. Once
you have purchased your new Cape
Boerperd you will be ready to join the
other Cape Boerperd lovers in learning
more about the breed and the Cape
Boerperd Breeders Society as well as
about SABAU. The Cape Boerperd Breeders
Society and SABAU offers many programs
for you and your Cape Boerperd and your
support through membership in the
Association will not only benefit you,
it will help promote and preserve the
wonderful Cape Boerperd!
How do I go about becoming a
Breeder of Cape Boerperd.
1. Become a member of the Cape
Boerperd breeders Society. Buy
doing this you will also become
a member of SA Studbook and
receive your stud number and
stud name.
2. Get a foal book from the
breed society secretary
3. Buy a registered Cape
Boerperd mare over the age of 3
years
4. Use or buy a registered Cape
Boerperd Stallion
5. Mate the horses when the mare
is in season and please remember
to keep record of the mating
date and the names of the horses
mated. If you make use of a
stallion belonging to somebody
else, make sure you are given a
mating certificate.
6. Have your mare tested by a
vet to make sure she is
pregnant.
7. 11 months later you will
hopefully be a healthy foal
richer.
8. Fill in the foal’s
particulars in the foal book in
duplicate.
8 .a Date of birth
b. Sex
c. Name of foal
d. Name of father with his
registration number
e. Name of mother with her
registration number
f. Markings and color of the
foal.
g. Fill in the picture with the
color markings as well.
h. Send the top copy of the
birth notification to the
secretary of the Cape Boerperd
Breeders Society at P.O. Box 55,
COOKHOUSE, 5820 If you have
used somebody else’s stallion
make sure to include the mating
certificate.
i. You will get an account for
the foal’s registration
j. You will get a foal book
registration for your foal on
payment of the fees.
k. When your foal is 3 years old
it has to be inspected for the
adult register of the Cape
Boerperd.
l. Apply to the Cape Boerperd
Breeders Society for an
inspection of your foal.
m. The 3 inspectors will inspect
your foal during an inspection
tour. If it passes the
inspection it will become a
registered Cape Boerperd.
Please remember breeding is not
for “sissies” so to speak. There
is no foolproof way to know that
you have mated the right pair of
horses. Every foal is an
individual and this makes
breeding such a demanding and
interesting job.
|
|
