Breeding - Pegasus Retreats

Our love for appaloosas, known for their bravery, unbelievably calm temperament and extreme endurance – is apparent in our choice of breeding stock. The connection to Appaloosas – known as the “spotted horse” of native America, has a history & comeback-story, second-to-none.

After being bred over hundreds of years by the Nezperce-tribe, the unbelievable story of how this remarkable breed outran the best European horses over literally thousands of miles, not wavering once, has been told numerous times over (for more information on this, click here. After the slaughter of thousands of these remarkable animals, a few “foundation appies” remained. Their bloodlines form the very foundation upon which our stud’s breeding program is based upon. An entire explanation of this can be found in our showroom at Entabeni Mountain Lodges, South Africa.

With their gorgeous colours, extreme intelligence & sense of humour – this sure-footed breed has made a particular mark as one of the most versatile breeds alive. Used amongst other sports for endurance, gymkhana, western games, dressage and even racing – it truly is the single most functional breed of horse known to man.

At Pegasus Breeding, we have made sure to start our young breeding program with these major elements in mind:
1. Soundness of mind;
2. Surefootedness;
3. Utmost bravery;
4. Conformation;
5. Extreme Hardiness.

PIZAZZ

Pizazz is a brave, weight-carrying mare. The shortest of all the safari-horses, she gives new meaning to the saying “big things come in small packages” with her name and temperament. This horse has a true heart of gold – sure-footed, solid-minded and stands her ground to all other animals (horse, giraffe, rhino and all!). Hailing from the original breeder of Appaloosas in South Africa, Claire Amm (Alpha stud), in the Ladybrand-area of the Free State-province, the surefootedness of the Basotho-pony in her lineage makes Pizazz the ultimate gorge-climber in our stud.

HAPPY FEET

Acting as the alpha-female of the herd at stud, Happy Feet is an absolute gem of a safari-horse. Having completed one or two Fauresmith-races during her time at Alpha Stud in the Free State, she was truly bred for endurance. Not one to shy back from adventure, this mare understands her job and does it well (at stud as well as on safari). Being the first one of two horses purchased by our co-founder Therese (along with Antigua), she truly is a cornerstone of our safari-stud – keeping everyone’s heads calm and HAPPY (no pun intended) when out on safari.

RIVER

Hailing from the Clarens-region of the Free State, this trouper of a mare truly is everything you imagine the ultimate appaloosa-horse to be. Being one of the last mares in South Africa to hail from a foundation-Appie-stallion, as well as an ex-police-boerperd, her bravery, gentle temperament and confidence has stunned us time and again. Being one of the youngest mares on safari, she has already proven herself to be leadhorse-potential, and is an absolute favorite amongst all guests due to her lovely nature.

UGOGIRL

One of the largest Appaloosa-mares in the country, standing at 16.1hands – this laid-back girl has the gait of an easy-arm-chair. Although alert (as all our safari-horses are), she “goes with the flow”, and is an absolute dream fit for our hotseat-guests. A large girl with a small heart, this mare never dissapoints.

BUTTERS

Hailing from the Cilliers-stud from the desert-sands of Namibia, this mare is one-in-a-million. The mare with the best pedigree of the entire stud, she never dissapoints. She is sure of herself, calm, and does not falter – a true leadhorse like no other. Having come from the desert, she proves hardy, willing and able. An instinctive, head-strong girl who leads her herd on safari with loads of stamina to boot.

ANTIGUA

Having been the first horse that co-founder Therese ever purchased, this mare truly is special. Being the very reason for the whole of Pegasus to embrace the names of cities/towns as a breeding-standard, she had to be! A mare that is responsive, inquisitive & truly latches on to her rider with her whole heart, she’ll give you everything she’s got. Standing 16.2hands, she knows that she stands taller than a bluewildebeest and for that reason, she’ll ride into a game-herd head-first.