Can you believe this ?

It’s more than 15 years now that I live with a fear, a fear I thought I would never overcome. And people who know me won’t believe their eyes.

OH YES!!! I have driven a horse, and that, for more than an hour.

Two weeks ago we were invited by friends in Underberg (near Drakensberg). They own a backpacker over there and it was rather quite (low saison) at that time and they wanted to invite us to relax.

We could, of course, not deny such an offer and planned immediately to spend a short weekend there.

Khotso, the backpackers of our friends, are known for their horse riding.
Each time we visit them they try to get me on a horse … but no, no. This young man will not go on a horse!

I have a dreadful fear of it, for years already !!!

But something seems to have happened to me. Also the work we do here can change a lot of things in you. Your view on life broadens and handling fears changes. And that’s exactly what happened to me.

Suddenly the fear was gone. I stood next to a horse and my heart kept beating normally. I even touched the horse. I did not run away when it moved its head.

It was a very special experience. I didn’t understand it at first. Me, who has always been such a frightened creature, running away when a horse was even at a 10 meters’ distance from me ….and now I stayed quiet and even enjoyed the presence of this beautiful animal.

And now, still to get on the horse while it is moving and then guiding the animal …. pfff, can I do that …

Well, just as easy as the contact with the horse went, all the rest went perfect.
When we were finally on the road into the mountains, a form of fear nevertheless assaulted me: What if I still get afraid, while we are in the mountains?”
But I immediately talked to myself: “Gunter, are you going to make yourself afraid because you might get afraid??”
“Ridiculous” I thought.

When we were on the mountains, I got a very warm feeling inside and tears ran over my cheeks.
Me on a horse in the mountains … this is something I’ve never dreamed of. I clearly realized that I had overcome one of my worst fears!

I cried for happiness, for the feeling of sitting on a horse, for the beautiful views.
I cried for all people we are allowed to get to know and for the environment we are working in.

When you look at the pictures, you will understand how beautiful and nice it is to walk in the mountains on a horse.