Animals

There's no mysticism involved. To build a beautiful friendship with your horse, you just need to know how to speak its language, writes Kim Dyson.

Frans van den Berg is the 2010 recipient of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa’s (GSSA) Peter Edwards Award for Best Conservation Farmer in South Africa. A Controlled Fodder Flow Pasture Management strategy implemented in 2002 has enabled him to increase the carrying capacity on his land by 45%. Annelie Coleman spoke to him and Riaan Dames, the rangeland scientist who developed the strategy,during a GSSA tour to Frans’s farm Op die aarde near Reivilo in the North West.

Spanish hunters expect comfortable accommodation, Germans want value for money – Roelof Bezuidenhout breaks down a recent survey into what foreign tourists want from safaris, and how operators can cater for them.

Here’s how you can teach your horse to get used to strange objects and loud noises, provided you treat your horse sympathetically.

Forget everything you know about stocking rates, says Holistic Management pioneer Allan Savory. The way forward is running more animals on your land. The recent winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge tells Heather Dugmore how increasing livestock numbers on your farm can increase your bank balance, rehabilitate the veld and help save the planet.

The performances of Kitchenbrand family are unequalled in the history of South African pigeon racing.

Lavender has healing properties and is an effective fly-repellent, writes Kim Dyson.

With a high percentage of pigeon losses in race and training events, and irregular returning times after races, Thomas Smit discusses the possible reasons why pigeons battle to find their way home.

Is your horse avoiding the bit or ducking to one side? It might be having teeth problems, writes Dr Mac.

Many frustrated fanciers get rid of their under-performing pigeons. But is culling the best option? There are certain factors to consider before deciding to cull a weak pigeon, writes Thomas Smit.

Horse lovers can chat for hours about their horses and their wonderful personalities – but what are their animals’ actual strengths and weaknesses? How do they get along with other horses?

In a One-Day Pigeon Loft, many difficulties can put the enterprise and the pigeons in jeopardy. Thomas Smit looks at the weaknesses of this system.