INTRODUCTION
Healing yourself is essential.
Not only for yourself, but for the world at large.
Allowing horses to help you heal, is the ultimate healing from the inside.
This KAROO RANCHING event is aimed at individuals looking to spend time with horses, both on and off horseback.
During these events we encourage guests to become comfortable with the silence and to listen to the guidance whispered by the mountains & their equine healers.
The aim is to relax, refocus & heal.
All activities are optional.
WHAT IS EQUINE THERAPY?
Equine Assisted Therapy uses the gentle presence of the horse to bring about a sense of emotional and physical wellbeing in participants.
Participants use the activities with the horses to engage in introspection, self observation and feedback on how their actions, approaches and attitudes are received by the horses and quite often, by the people around them.
Participants do not have to divulge any personal information about themselves to anyone during this type of therapy, as the healing starts with self realisation.
Healing takes place both on & off horse back.
Horse riding is optional during this therapy.
SUITABLE FOR
Individuals wanting to:
- Spend unpressured time with horses
- Heal from unhappy/traumatic experiences
- Heal from past hurts or relationships
- Release trauma & pain
- Understand themselves better
- Ground & rebalance themselves
- Learn to build better relationships
- Relax & Unwind
HORSES
Our team of ranch horses are all carefully selected on temperament & play an integral part in the healing sessions of the event.
Each one has their own unique personality & ability to teach and heal.
The horses enjoy their life on the ranch, whether it be working with guests or roaming free in the mountains.
We pride ourselves in a well adjusted herd.
We strive to make every guest’s ride as memorable as possible, by pairing riders with horses that will compliment them in both experience and personality.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
This event is suitable for beginner riders, as well as more experienced riders.
The pace is never more than walking and all activities are optional.
The focus is on gently healing with horses.
For safety purposes, guests are required to have minimum one year riding experience and be able to catch, groom, saddle, walk & stop their horse.
SAFETY
All guests are required to sign public liability forms upon arrival.
All guests are offered riding helmets, or encouraged to bring their own.
However, should they wish not to ride with a helmet & ride with a wide brimmed hat instead, they would be welcome to do so, however, they will be asked to sign a further public liability form.
While all possible forms of precaution are taken by the KAROO RANCHING team to ensure guest safety, we expect riding guests to act responsibly while handling the horses & take the safety of their fellow guests into consideration while at KAROO RANCHING.
The KAROO RANCHING team retains the right to ask any guest to refrain from further riding should their riding abilities be a danger to themselves or other guests.
PACE
Our events are not geared to those who want to race around everywhere.
Our mountainous terrain simply does not allow for it.
The pace dictated by Mother Nature often encourages guests to ride in silence, ponder upon the mountains & take time to reconnect with their soul.
We strive to make every guest’s ride as memorable as possible,however, the safety & well- being of our guests & horses will always take precedence over the enjoyment of one or two guests.
WELCOME TO THE RANCH
– THURSDAY
- 12 pm – Arrive at the Ranch & Unpack
- 1 pm – Lunch in the Gardens
- 2 pm – Event Briefing & Grounding Exercise
- 2.30 pm – You Meet Your Healing Horse
- 3 pm – Gentle Walk Out (Ride or walk your horse)
- 4.30 pm – Quiet Observations of Self / Horse
- 5 pm – Feed & Water Your Horse
- 6 pm – Drinks on the Ranch House Verandah
- 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner
MOUNTAINS OF SOLITUDE
– FRIDAY
- 6 am – Wake Up
- 6.30 am – Quiet Time while watching the Sunrise
- 7 am – Coffee & Rusks on the Ranch House Verandah
- 7. 30 am – Saddle Up & Head to the Mountains for Solitude
- 10 am – Open Camp Fire Breakfast in the Mountains
- 12 pm – Return to the Ranch Houses
- 1 pm – Lunch in the Ranch Gardens
- 2 pm – Free Time / Rest
- 4 pm – Learning from the Herd
- 5 pm – Feeding & Watering of Horses
- 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner
MOUNTAINS OF ANCIENT WISDOM –
SATURDAY
- 6 am – Wake Up
- 6.30 am – Quiet Time while watching the Sunrise
- 7 am – Coffee & Rusks on the Ranch House Verandah
- 7. 30 am – Saddle Up & Head to the Mountains of Ancient Wisdom
- 10 am – Open Camp Fire Breakfast in the Mountains
- 12 pm – Return to the Ranch Houses
- 1 pm – Lunch in the Ranch Gardens
- 2 pm – Free Time / Rest
- 3 pm – Ride to the Look Out Point
- 5 pm – Releasing Your Horse into the Mountains – Letting Go Ceremony
- 6 pm – Return to the Ranch Houses
- 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner
SAYING GOOD-BYE –
SUNDAY
- 8 am – Relax and Sleep In
- 8.30 am – Ranch Breakfast
- 9.30 am – Pack Up
- 10 am – Say Good Byes & Drive Home
DRESS CODE
For practical stock handling & photographic purposes a strict dress code is adhered to.
There is a small shop on the ranch that stocks various items.
It is however, advised that you bring your gear that is well worn in.
PERMITTED
- Jeans
- Leather Shoes/Boots
- Denim or Navy Shirts
- Wide Brimmed Hats
- Neutral Scarves
- Neutral Jackets/Coats (KAROO RANCHING Oilskin coats are available for use while at the ranch)
- Leather Accessories
NOT PERMITTED
- Check / Plaid Shirts
- Caps/Beanies
- Sneakers/Takkies
- Loud Brands
- Bright Colours
- Plastic Accessories
- Plastic Water Bottles
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
During our events a professional photographer is tasked with photographing the event.
This imagery is then given to guests as a gift, as a fond reminder of their time spent at KAROO RANCHING.
Guests are invited to embrace the experience, the dress code suggested and be fully present without needing to snap away on their cell phones.
For this reason, we kindly request that no cell phones are used outside of the ranch accommodation.
Wi-Fi access is only available in the ranch accommodation too.
WHAT TO BRING
- Riding Helmet
- Rancher hat
- Sunscreen
- 6 – 8 x Re-hydration sachets
- 2 -3 x pairs of comfortable jeans
- 2 -3 x denim or navy collared shirts
- 1 x neutral coloured coat
- 1 x pair of leather boots
Comfortable Clothes
Slippers
Book
EQUINE THERAPY 2026
- 26 – 29 March 2026 – FULLY BOOKED
- 13 – 16 August 2026 – (6 x spots available)
- 24 – 27 Sept 2026 – (8 x spots available)
** If you would like us to add you to the WAITING LIST, in case of a cancellation, kindly email us at info@karooranching.co.za to do so.
2026 RATES
NON- SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS
- First Time Ranchers – $2 200 USD per person
- Returning Ranchers – $2 100 USD per person
SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS
- First Time Ranchers – R21 500 ZAR per person
- Returning Ranchers – R19 500 ZAR per person
- Duration – 3 nights & 4 days
- Includes all food, ranch accommodation, ranching activities & professional photography
- Excludes transport to/from ranch & alcohol
- Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol or ask us to arrange it for them
- 50% deposit is required to secure a booking
GENERAL INFO
- Events take place in the Graaff– Reinet district, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Location pins are provided upon booking confirmation
- Suitable for both experienced & inexperienced riders
- 90kg weight limit for riders
- Minimum age 21 years
- Above average fitness levels are required of riders
- For practical purposes a dress code is adhered to
- Signing of public liability forms are compulsory
- Bookings: info@karooranching.co.za
DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY
DEPOSIT POLICY
- A 50% deposit is payable within 48 hours of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.
- If the 50% deposit is not received by KAROO RANCHING, the reservation will be cancelled.
- The balance is payable 30 days prior to arrival.
- If the reservation is made less than 30 days prior to arrival, 100% payment is payable within 48 hours of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to the highly specialised & exclusive nature of our offering:
- 20% cancellation fee is applicable on all cancellations.
- 50% cancellation fee is payable if reservation is cancelled less than 60 days prior to arrival.
- 100% cancellation fee is payable if reservation is cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival.
- Refunds: No refunds are allowed for late arrivals or early departures
- All other costs incurred are payable on the last day of the guest stay.
LOCATION
KAROO RANCHING is based near the town of
Graaff–Reinet in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.
Simply type KAROO RANCHING – ELANDSKLOOF RANCH into Google Maps –it should take you directly there.
