Kaapsehoop Horse Trails is a well-known and peaceful retreat for both horse and nature enthusiasts. Situated on the Drakensberg escarpment, 35km from Nelspruit, Mpumalanga in South Africa, 7km outside the village of Kaapsehoop with its history rooted in the first discovery of gold in South Africa in the late 1800’s, also known for its wild horses, interesting rock formations, mist…
The Horse Trails were established in 1994 by Christo Germishuys with a private concession on the 17,000 hectare Berlin forestry plantation of Komatiland. Christo grew up with a love of horses, and the world they lived in was the only place that really interested him throughout his childhood years. He learned the equine art at the Mataffin riding school in Nelspruit under Mike Kay and spent his military training years in berede.
He began his journey in the equine tourism industry in the historic town of Pilgrims Rest where he was also involved with a friesian breeding programme for carriage work and Nooitgedachts to be used for both riding and nature conservation. He further learnt carriage driving under Jannie Louw during this time and established Trails at Doornhoek on a 580 ha property.
In 1994, Christo began the horse trails on the Berlin plantation at Kaapsehoop, returning to the place he lived 15 years prior. He established the trail riding that today has a well regarded reputation for both the excellent conditions of his animals, the safe riding, the scenery and the soul and passion found in this unique setting. Visiting the trails, one will be soon be enticed with details everywhere, put together from any old piece, from old rusted tin cups, to found pieces of wood, to iron pieces, to, all given a new life as artistic decorative pieces…
What we are most proud and passionate about is the way we work with our horses. With more than 30 years of experience working with horses, Christo works on a natural horsemanship basis. Our horses live out, free range; there are no stables for the animals at night as they live free in the Mountains.
