OUR HORSEY STORY
The roots of Koedoeslaagte run deep, rooted in the story of my grandfather, Hannes, and his family of 10 siblings and a hardworking devoted father. Despite their poverty, they lived life to the fullest and cherished their memories even though they all suffered the loss of a lovely mother when the last brother was born.
Hannes, the second youngest, found love with my grandmother, Vera, and with the help of Great-Grandmother Ursula they brought the farm back to life which was lost to us over many years.
Growing up my father, Dirk, his siblings and cousins spent countless hours on the farm, visiting during holidays and family gatherings. They relished their time there as young children, playing in the mud and swimming in the river. Now, as adults, they continue to visit the farm and find joy in watching their own children make memories and experience the same simple pleasures they once enjoyed.
In my youth, the farm was not frequently used. It was reserved for special occasions when the family would come together, once or twice a month on weekends or holidays, to create memories. However, a few years ago, the farm was revitalized with the addition of horses, breathing new life into this cherished family tradition.
Our equine family started with just five mares and a mighty stallion named Mr. Moon, who had Ruby, Tricksy, Jade, Pasha, and Jacky as his trusty mares. Unfortunately, Ruby and Tricksy have passed on, but their legacy lives on through their offspring. The first foal, originally named Chad (because we did not “check”) but later named Penny (named after a world renown South African swimmer) after falling into the river three times, even causing Hannes to dive in after her in his underwear. This event marked the beginning of our herd’s rapid expansion, growing from five horses to twenty in just five short years.
Now after everything some of them have found new homes and owners to take care of them were their potential could flourish and the rest stayed with us welcoming the new members to the herd and becoming what we know to be “Pasio Life” today.
But the farm is more than just a place for horseback rides. It’s a place where laughter echoes along the river, where childhood dreams come to life, and where families gather to create memories that will be cherished for generations to come.
