Horse-riding at Düsternbrook

Here at Düsternbrook we have 5 riding horses (of which 3 suitable for beginners), and over 30 wild horses that you may see at the watering hole, walking along the riverbed, or up in the mountains. Our riding horses are free roaming, within an area of 60 hectare, so please give us a days notice if you would like to horseride. Our horses are roughly 60% Arab, and 40% local mix, and have been here as long as the farmhouse itself. They are placid and friendly, sure-footed and strong, and suitable for both beginners and children.

The style of riding here is Western, and our trails are long established, well-trodden routes with plenty of time to take in our beautiful local scenery. Of course the absence of a car engine also allows for a more peaceful journey, and the opportunity to get a little closer to the wildlife. If you would like to stop and take photographs of either the animals or the countryside, just ask the guide (who will be in front) - he will be happy to oblige. Our rides are all suitable for children or beginners, however, if you are more experienced and would prefer a longer, or faster route, then please ask in the office, and this can be arranged for you.

The history of horses in Namibia

To this day there is much speculation and debate about the origins of horses in Namibia. There is agreement only on one point - they are not indigenous, because originally there never were horses in Southern Africa. They only started to appear in the region from the 17th century onwards, imported by Europeans.

The wild horses of the Namib are the descendants of domesticated animals that - similar to the Mustangs of North America - have adopted a feral existence.

There are many theories as to how these horses became wild, including; a ship wreck south of the Orange River mouth in the late 19th Century, escapees from a stud farm at Duwisib, horses left behind by the German colonial forces during the First World War, and a stud farm at Kabub where workhorses were bred for mining, and racehorses bred for racing at Lüderitz. According to the latest research, the core of the herd could be descendants of the South African army horses that were dispersed during an attack by the German Air Force and never reined in again. In theory these horses escaped, scattered, or were left behind in the turmoil of war and gathered in the mountains of Aus where many natural watering holes can be found. It is likely that these horses were joined by those abandoned during the depression and as a result of the automobiles triumphant progress.

It is probably thanks to the diamond mines at the coast that these horses were not caught again. In 1908 a restricted area was established that allowed no public access, therefore leaving the horses within to thrive in almost complete isolation, creating Namibia's own breed 'The Namibs'.