HorseAbout blog. Trail riding in the Western Cape

Strange but true!

4/24/2013

Laughing Donki by Sally Ings

Laws are made to protect people generally and animals too of course, but one has to wonder at need for some of these laws, obviously the "crimes" have been tried or does some bored bureaucrat simply sit there and imagine all the possibilities???
These are a few laws relating to horses that still appear in the legislation of of some towns in the USA...

Culpeper: No one may wash a mule on the sidewalk.

In Spokane, Wash., it used to be illegal to interrupt a religious meeting by having a horse race.

It's illegal in Wilbur, Washington, to ride an ugly horse

Milwaukee: An old ordinance forbids parking for over two hours unless a horse is tied to the car.

In Wyoming it is illegal to tattoo a horse with the intent of making it unrecognizable to its owner.

Tarentum: Horses are not to be tied to parking meters

Riding a horse over any public highway for the purpose of racing, or testing the speed of the horse is illegal. Penalty: Maximum $20 fine and imprisonment for 10 days.

Fountain Inn: Horses are to wear pants at all times. Now this could be worth seeing..

When approaching a four way or blind intersection in a non-horse driven vehicle you must stop 100 ft from the intersection and discharge a firearm into the air to warn horse traffic.

South Dakota-Stealing a horse is punishable by hanging.

In some towns there are still laws stating that it is illegal to serve horses at the bar

If you’re planning on going fishing while on horseback in Utah, put your poles away because it is illegal in some parts.

In Culpeper, Virginia, it is illegal to bathe your mule on the sidewalk.

In Temple, Texas, it is perfectly acceptable to ride your horse through a saloon but never drive a horse and buggy through the town square.

In Chicago, it is illegal for women over 200 pounds to ride horses while wearing shorts.

In parts of Iowa, horses are forbidden from eating fire hydrants. so in the rest of Iowa nibbling fire hydrants is accepted?

In Phoenix, you better check your spurs at the door because it’s illegal for a cowboy to walk through the lobby of a hotel with his spurs on. So they have spur racks instead of coat racks at the door??

In parts of Kansas, shops must provide a water trough for horses. Finally one that makes sense!!
Gaming regulations also prohibit the use of mules for duck hunting. I would be scared of a duck hunting mule.. can't be safe after dark!!

You don’t want to get caught riding your horse up the stairs of the county courthouse in Prescott, Arizona.

But the all time classic must be "Horses may not be kept in bathtubs." now go figure that one....

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Great Advice from a Horse!

4/21/2013

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A day trip to the Witzenberg Valley via Bainskloof

4/13/2013

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"But you live in the Karoo" is the frequent forlorn cry from capetonian friends when informing them that a visit is long over due.. Once the offers of fresh country air, great cape wines and lazy days twists those arms into packing for the expedition to Tulbagh, we are then usually met with "wow that was much quicker than we thought..."

Gauteng friends and guests all insist that Capetonians are simply lazy and that a drive from the deep south to the CBD is an considered an expedition in itself - but we have to agree that Cape Town is the most beautiful city and with mountains and beaches on your doorstep who can blame you for staying put...especially when you are frequently trading one set of traffic for another when visiting many of the well known country, winelands destinations.

That is what makes the Witzenberg Valley special - this valley is still very much a hidden gem. Traffic and crowds are rare while the views, country hospitality, award winning wines and great food are legendary. Do your children believe that milk is made in machines and eggs grow in boxes - then you might like to experience a visit to a working farm. If you cant quite deal with sleeping without street lights and like to have restaurants and other amenities close at hand, then you can may prefer one of the guest houses or 4 star lodgings in town..

The Witzenberg Valley is home to Tulbagh, Wolseley and Ceres and an easy day trip from Cape Town!

And for those spontaneous folk who wake up to a sunshiny morning and decide it is time to escape the confines of the city, why not try the route less travelled - and you don't need to leave before sunrise to enjoy this day out!

Head out on the N1 and take the Stellenbosch/ Klapmuts/ Wellington turn-off. Take a left onto the R44. Follow this road into Wellington main street (Champagne Road).
At the T-Junction turn let into Piet Retief Road. Heading down the hill at the traffic light turn right into Kerk Straat / Church Street. At this traffic light you will see the church on your left. Once turning right into Kerk Straat / Church Street, follow this road through the town, it will take you up the mountain into the Bainskloof Pass - don't rush, there are plenty of photo opportunities and hikes along the route. In summer you can swim in the rock pools.
Come out of the pass and stay on the R301/R303 until you reach the Winterberg Mountain Inn highly recommended for a stop over be it a delectable coffee break or fabulous country lunch (booking recommended) from Winterberg join the R46 and turn left towards Tulbagh.
For the active adrenalin seekers you will want to take a right and drive through the Michell's Pass to the Zipslide! for a scenic exhilarating outing through the mountains.
Back towards Tulbagh - worthwhile stops to look out for are Waverley Hills and The Farmyard Honey Factory continuing towards Tulbagh your next stop is the Kimilli Cheese Farm (call before to confirm visit) then onto horseAbout (of course) for a breathtaking horse ride through vineyards and forests.
And before heading back towards the city pop into Tulbagh for a meander down the historic Church Street, enjoy a meal or relaxed coffee break at one of the many restaurants.
The easiest route home (if you havent decided to stay over for the night) is Via the Nuwekloof Pass, at Hermon you can turn off to Riebeek Kasteel and back to Cape Town via Malmesbury, or you can simply stay on the R44 towards Wellington and back to the N1..

Read what others have said about the Witzenberg Valley
Getaway Blog, Travel Start Blog or Nightjar Travel

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DIVINE

Strange but true!

Great Advice from a Horse!

A day trip to the Witzenberg Valley via Bainskloof

The Witzenberg Valley is home to Tulbagh, Wolseley and Ceres and an easy day trip from Cape Town!

John & Jo

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