06/09/2026
*!!!!!!!A STATEMENT REGARDING SAHARA !!!!!!!!*
While everyone has the right to share their experience and raise concerns, I believe it is equally important that people are given the complete context and supporting evidence before reaching a conclusion.
I am therefore sharing the information and documentation available to me so that everyone can consider both sides of the matter and make their own informed decision.
Height and Age
Sahara was advertised as approximately 14HH.
When measurements were requested, photographs were provided showing her measuring approximately 140 cm, which corresponds to approximately 13.3HH. These photographs are included as Photos 1 and 2.
Sahara was advertised as 5 years old. When asked about her age, it was explained that the seller conducts her own examination of the horses' teeth.
Photographs of Sahara's teeth were also provided. These show the fifth tooth still appearing to be a deciduous (baby) tooth. Based on the information available regarding equine dental development, this is consistent with a horse around 4 years old and approaching 5. These are shown in Photos 3,4
,5 and 6
I am not presenting this as a veterinary dental examination, but rather explaining the information that was available to the buyer before the purchase.
Condition on Arrival
It was communicated that Sahara lives out permanently in the field.
The photographs provided before the sale therefore represented her condition and circumstances as a horse living out, rather than a horse receiving stable-based feeding and preparation.
The relevant photographs are included as Photos 7 and 8
Sahara had also been dipped approximately one week before leaving the farm and was subsequently returned to the field.
Given that she lives out, the presence of some ticks was not unexpected. Following the dipping, it would also be reasonable to expect that some ticks found afterwards could have been dead.
The Statement That Sahara Was “100% Child Safe”
I would like to clarify my position regarding the description of Sahara as 100% child safe.
I do not believe any horse or animal can responsibly be guaranteed to be 100% risk-free around children. Horses are animals and, regardless of their training or temperament, their behaviour can never be guaranteed with absolute certainty.
The photographs and videos provided show my 14-month-old child with me on Sahara, as well as several things I was able to do with her during my handling of her.
This includes picking up her front and back feet without her displaying a negative reaction.
These examples are provided to demonstrate Sahara's temperament and handling in my care, rather than to claim that any horse is completely without risk.
Photo 9
Video 1
The Mark on Her Ear
The mark that has been described as an ear injury is, to my knowledge, an ownership marking rather than an injury.
Sahara came from an area where ownership markings and brands are used to identify animals.
I understand that some people may find this practice concerning or upsetting. However, it is important to distinguish between an existing ownership marking and an injury caused during the sale or transport of the horse.
Photo 10
Vaccinations and Deworming
The buyer was informed that vaccinations and deworming were handled independently on the farm.
The relevant dates and information were provided before the sale and are included in Photos 11,12 and 13
Our Attempt to Resolve the Matter
Following the message sent to the agent, I contacted the buyer directly.
I asked that the matter be discussed directly with me and requested that the information and evidence already provided be reviewed.
Photo 14
I subsequently resent the photographs that had previously been provided by the agent.
Despite this, concerns were raised that the information supplied was false.
A refund was subsequently requested in connection with a request for silence regarding the matter.
There were also communications that I considered threatening, followed by messages that became increasingly hostile and insulting.
The relevant correspondence is included so that people can read the exchange themselves rather than relying solely on my description of it.
Photos 15,16,17 and 18
The Purchase Price
The purchase price had already been reduced following a request from the buyer, and the buyer subsequently agreed to purchase Sahara at the reduced price.
The relevant conversation is included.
Opportunity to View and Vet Sahara
The correspondence with the agent also shows that the buyer was given the opportunity to come and view Sahara personally before purchasing her.
The option of arranging a veterinary examination was also available.
Information Provided Before the Sale
The information available to us regarding Sahara was communicated to the buyer before the purchase.
Photographs and other information were provided, questions were answered, and opportunities to view the horse and arrange a veterinary examination were available.
The relevant communication is included.
Why I Rescue These Horses
For those asking where I obtain the horses I work with:
I source horses from rural areas where some are at risk of neglect, abandonment, slaughter or being sold as feed.
I purchase these horses because I believe they deserve the opportunity to have a safe and suitable future.
Unfortunately, keeping every horse permanently is not financially possible. Horses require ongoing feed, veterinary care, farrier work and general care, all of which come at a considerable cost.
My goal is therefore to rescue horses from difficult circumstances and, where possible, find them suitable homes where they can have a better future.
I understand that people may have questions or concerns about this situation, and I respect everyone's right to form their own opinion.
However, I believe it is only fair that those opinions are formed after considering the complete set of information and evidence available from both sides.
For that reason, I am making the photographs, videos and relevant screenshots available.
I am not asking anyone to automatically take my side.
I am simply asking that the full story be considered before conclusions are reached.
Kind regards,
Anneline Pieterse
Hooves
