ON THE HOOF: Fewer mustangs run wild than are held in corrals. Picture: THINKSTOCK
ON THE HOOF: Fewer mustangs run wild than are held in corrals. Picture: THINKSTOCK

THE Western Cape horse export industry has received a major boost following the export of the largest consignment of horses from the province to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The development comes after Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde earlier this year led a Western Cape delegation to the Arabian Peninsula nation. Increasing the trade of horses between the two regions was noted as a key priority during Mr Winde’s official visit.

The horse export industry is worth over R200m to the provincial economy, but there is potential to grow it to R1bn if the right measures are in place, Mr Winde said on Monday.

Mr Winde said the export of the 58 horses, which left Cape Town International Airport on Monday, was a major boost for the province’s horse export industry.

The process was arranged and managed by export agents Hobday Equestrian Enterprises, with the assistance of Western Cape government vets.

Mr Winde explained that the horses had served out the required quarantine period at Kenilworth and another facility in Wellington prior to departure.

"They will travel to Mauritius, where they will serve out a further quarantine period. From there, 48 of the horses will travel to Dubai and 10 to France. It’s quite a variety of horses, including endurance horses and personal horses," said Mr Winde.

Eight vets will accompany the horses, who are fed and watered regularly during the journey to ensure their comfort.

A Boeing 777 was chartered for the journey and will fly directly to Mauritius.

Earlier this year Mr Winde said that the provincial government was investigating the establishment of a lock-down zone in the province, possibly at the Kenilworth Race Course. This facility would serve as quarantine, transit and export station, which will allow the Western Cape to export directly to the world.

Mr Winde said currently horses were exported via Mauritius where they are quarantined, adding red tape and financial costs to the process. Dubai had already agreed to build a quarantine station at is Al Maktoum airport to receive South African horses.

© BDlive 2015