Kerewong Horse Farm NSW - Australia

31/03/2025

AJ Equine- Ethical Horsemanship will be holding a 3 day Christmas in July Clinic at Kerewong Horse Farm NSW - Australia.
18-20 July.
Only 2 spots left.

29/03/2025

Video of the adventurous Australian Kerewong Bush & Beach riding tour last week. It's easy to say, the creek crossings were fun. Actually, the entire week was fun. We had sun, rain, clouds, thunder, rain forest in all its glory, trees down, slippery hills, good food and wine. Most of all we always had a smile on our faces, because we were in perfect human company, a happy dog by our sides and had fantastic, fit and energetic horses to get us to our destination each day.

26/03/2025

It's been a whirlwind adventurous riding week. I so wished for this fantastic German/ Dutch/ Californian group that everything would have been perfect, and it was, except for the wet weather. Not many glimpses of the famous Australian sun. But the rain didn't stop us from riding, we completed the full riding itinerary of 140 kms over 5 days and the laughter was always louder than the rain. Video will be in the making but these are the Photos of the Beach Day. This week marked Epona's first full beach ride and by the end of it she was galloping through the waves. She saw the beach rocks for the first time and didn't hesitate to lead the group onto them and became a statue until photos were taken. Only 1 horse has done this before and of course it was the little Sweetheart Aliya.
Special mention and Carrot of the Week for young Nino, who finally found his legs, his lungs and body strength (he already always had heart). I wasn't sure if he would ever get there but at 8 years old he is now coming in the prime of his life. Nino worked 5 days straight for the first time and came out a transformed horse at the end. He really loves his life. There were moments that for the first time I felt his blood relation to Kuta under the saddle.

23/03/2025

After 2 months holidays the horses are back in working mode. The weather is throwing us some challenges this week, but when horses, riders and dog all have the right attitude, we still have the best time, fun and laughter. This week's riders can even do that without rain coats (not me)!
Sunday, on the third day of Australian Bush Adventure horse riding, my youngest horse Nino (8 yrs) finally had his first arrival at the Bago Maze & Winery. He has set his mind to wanting to be part of the working girl squad (Queen T. and Epona), and his body is finally getting there. He is loving it. Adventure runs in the family. 🙂

20/03/2025

Thank you everybody for your kind words.
The other oldies knew Kamal was not well and they said their goodbyes before he was buried and wandered off, peacefully. They know and accept the cycle of life.
Now there’s only 3 geriatrics left: grey Manni 32, Copper est.31, Charlie 29. The last ones of the Originals, born in the nineties. So old!!!
It is hard to comprehend that of the 7 horses I bought between 2001 and 2004, the last remaining include the very first 2 that arrived together in 2001: Charlie and Manni.
It is a deja-vu to see them together in the paddock, like when they were the only 2 horses here so many years ago, at the start of an exciting journey.
And Copper (Nr. 5) - on the right, who was a rescued station-bred mixed breed bush horse that was left abandoned on a property in Thora in 2003 at an estimated age of 8-10 yrs.

17/03/2025

Jump high into the Heavens Sky,
KAMAL (Hillview Glen Illuzzion), son of the great Kyremi Illustraa.
16/12/1998 - 17/3/2025 (26 years old).

The torn feeling of doubt to end this horse’s life early, was with me in the past weeks. But I rather wear that over the haunting agony I will face if leaving it 1 day too late.
Kamal was at the start of a long slow but gradual decline in health. I gave him my final gift to live his last days in happiness in his herd of 4 geriatrics (him being the youngest) and leave us with dignity. His fantastic life was complete and all that was left to do for him, was to have a good death. I am so relieved that I could give him that today.

I bought Kamal a bit over 21 years ago, in December 2003, sight unseen, from a breeder in Toowoomba QLD. Kamal just turned 5-years old, a green broke pure-bred Arabian (Crabbet lines), light chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. I remember I had to persevere to be able to buy him, as the breeder said “he wouldn’t be any good” for my business. We proved them wrong.

A lean and wiry 15 hands, orange coloured Surfer Boy with a lot of S***k!! So much s***k in fact, that although he’s not the typical endurance horse “type”, he became my 20-thousand-dollar horse as this was the number offered to me when he was 7 years old, as an unqualified endurance horse who had only done a 40 km distance, to go to Dubai for endurance racing in the desert. The desert, we said, it will be perfect for him!! Kamal hated water. Needless to stay Kamal stayed at Kerewong, as they all do.

Kamal was Kerewong Horse Nr. 6 and he became my longest serving working horse, one of the Originals and the last of them to retire, just 5 years ago. He would not have lasted for as long in the Middle Eastern desert races. He’s a precious boy. In his early working years, in winter, we carried a fleece blanket with us on the treks to put on him during lunch stops. He always felt the cold. The only Kerewong horse who had a blanket on cold winter nights his entire life. But again, perfect for the desert!
I still see social media profile photos of him ridden by guest riders, the orange surfer boy was so much loved.
Kamal was unfortunate with his injuries and had a lot of sick leave. He is my horse with the most injuries (I hope it stays that way), and unusual injuries too, but he always healed.

Some of the things Kamal taught me: about facial nerve paralysis (after a head butt from his friend Copper), how to treat a stromal abscess (serious eye injury), how to NOT treat an open splint bone fracture and sequestrum, how to survive a backwards fall off a flooded concrete river causeway, how to treat the leg injuries of a horse that tried to jump back up a flooded concrete causeway, how to ride a frog-leaping horse across a creek, and that you are never too old to learn: a brave horse except when it comes to water, aversive of water crossings in all forms for most of his life (except bridges that keep him dry), Kamal unexpectedly decided at 17 years old that he does enjoy going into the ocean surf.

Kamals end of life story is one of a normal course of declining health in old age. In recent years, after his retirement 5 years ago, Kamal has been plagued by chronic and progressive post-traumatic arthritis in his hock, due to an old high splint bone leg fracture, a kick injury 11 years ago (thanks, Jaws). In the last 7 months, as his arthritis progressed, Kamal was on pain relief medication. He was coping. However, probably unrelated to this, 4 months ago he started to lose weight and muscle mass, whilst eating very well. He also has had a significant heart murmur for some time (> 1 year) and in recent weeks he had an alarmingly high resting heart rate. Blood results in December, ongoing monitoring, limitless food supply, just saw him slowly slip downhill. He wasn’t going to get better, he had difficulty keeping up with the other oldies and I didn’t want to isolate him from them.

So now the Kerewong Heavenly Pastures gained a wonderful Arabian chestnut with a long flowing bleached surfer mane. The 3 mares and Dream will be there to welcome him. My final gift is that he left this earth peacefully. A good life all his life, except for that leg fracture. But he survived. Kamal always put his trust in me as the person who will look after him in sickness, in health and in all our adventures together.

I only need to have one photo here, as this is the photo I will always remember him by. From 2007, in the prime of his life at 8 years old (photo by Candida Baker).
Jump high in heaven, thank you for a great life shared together, Precious Prince of Kerewong.

08/03/2025

I don't like to send videos of muddy paddocks because in tourism you have to pretend that the sun always shines in paradise.
But while much of the East Coast has been hammered by heavy rain and strong winds from the cyclone quite a distance north from me, and people check with how I'm going here, this is a little video of how we were going this week.
I don't keep track of rain gauges and just go by how much water is in the tanks, pool, paddocks, dams and creeks. I can report the creeks are high but have not flooded yet and the nearly empty water tanks and dams are full again. We are sheltered from Easterly gale force winds and no trees have come down.
So except for the mud (which isn't at its worst yet), I reckon we're in a pretty good spot. And the 30+ age group, well, they are always looked after in first class, so no complaints from them.

07/03/2025

We have a new date for the AJ Equine- Ethical Horsemanship clinic at Kerewong. 18-20 July, which means Christmas in July, with cosy fires in and outside. Sundowners and marshmallows at the fire pit!

06/03/2025

Anyone around Port Macquarie and Camden Haven area who needs training help with their horse, I recommend Apryl from AJ Equine- Ethical Horsemanship who will do home visits in our area in the last weekend of March.

Attention Mid North Coast!
Port Macquarie, Wauchope and surrounds!
I will be in your area for two days conducting private lessons, on the
29 & 30TH MARCH- Saturday and
Sunday.
For bookings call or text Apryl
0437040055 or message page or website https://www.ethicalhorsemanship.com.au/

03/03/2025

News!!!
1. New business name! Kerewong Horse Farm NSW.
This trading name will replace Southern Cross Horse Treks Australia, to reflect the change of direction my business has taken, from Horse Treks Only (since 2004) to a variety of Horse Holidays options: Horse Holiday Tours, Horsemanship Retreats, and BYO Horse Holidays Stays (since 2024).
2. New website!! Check it out: www.kerewong.com.au

26/02/2025

The story of the Website Fairy.
Most small businesses I know boast with gratitude for the Village it takes to make their business what it is, successful. Staff, family, friends, all contribute to making the business flourish. They couldn't do it without them, they would be lost without them.

My business Southern Cross Horse Treks Australia, now trading as Kerewong Horse Farm NSW to reflect the changes of the future, has no such village. My business succes pretty much is thanks to the hard work of 3 people and 20 incredible horses. The 3 people are me (obviously), my farrier who keeps my hard working horses sound while they work in often challenging conditions (rocky, muddy, uneven, rough, slippery footing) as it is a well-known fact that: no hoof, no horse. And the last but not least person is the Website Fairy!
I actually don't know anybody else, who over 20 years and 3 Horsetreks/Kerewong website creations, has put in so much effort, dedication, perseverance, grit and passion in helping me to make my business successful. Because as is with the horses feet, in my kind of business it is: no properly working website, no bookings, no business. And that is what Website Fairy's do, if you're lucky to find one, never let go.

The New Website of Kerewong Horse Farm NSW, previously known as Southern Cross Horse Treks, is LIVE!!
Here it is! www.kerewong.com.au
I hope you enjoy how we created our vision, the Website Fairy and I.
And actually, in hindsight, I do have a village, a 20 horse village (16 alive + 4 RIP). I would be lost without them.

Horsemanship Retreats, Horse Trekking Tours, BYO Horse Holidays and Horse-lovers Getaways with cabin and farmstay accommodation on the 60 acre property in Port Macquarie hinterland, Mid North Coast of NSW, Australia

25/02/2025

NEWS! New Business Name!
There will be a change coming up with this page in line with the new website launch. Mostly a name change.
While Southern Cross Horse Treks Pty Ltd will remain my registered company name, I will start trading under a new business name, which is "Kerewong Horse Farm NSW".
This change in trading name will reflect the change of direction my business has taken from stationary and point to point Horse Treks only (since 2004) to a variety of Horse Holiday options: Horse Holiday Tours, Horsemanship Retreats, and BYO Horse Holidays (since 2024).
Today I removed the Southern Cross Horse Treks sign after 21 years, a little bit sad. But the much more noticeable and well known Kerewong sign, that has also been at the entrance for 21 years, can stay forever. So after all this time, I am glad that the chainsaw sculptor refused to carve Southern Cross Horse Treks in the timber slab. He said it was too many letters (He didn't like doing letters lol, just animal sculptures). So we agreed on 8 letters instead of 21: Kerewong, the property name and the name of the adjoining forest where we ride the horses.
The timber sign is due for some restorative work so that's on the list. The Stainless Steel sign still looks like new, but ....
Here's Farewell to Southern Cross Horse Treks Australia, or at least as my trading name.
And here's to what essentially has always been: everybody has called us Kerewong from the start. It was even in the logo.
I will change this Page name to Kerewong Horse Farm tomorrow together with the new website name (you can probably guess it).

Pictured a young Kuta, Nadal and Jimmy, who now reside in the Outlaws paddock. Jimmy Jaws is retired. The other 2 are in their final working years.
I thank you all for your support.

24/02/2025

23/02/2025

The making of a new great beach horse - Part 2.
First time on the big beach for Epic Epona. Her friend Queen T. came along today with perfect weather.
Unfortunately I'm realising now, that this may be the last time I will ride Epona on the beach. Sadly she is just too good to be ridden by me, lol. She will be ridden by the guest riders now.

21/02/2025

A new video for the Kerewong Horsemanship Retreats (yes you guessed it... for the new website 😃). There is just too much to include everything, but this is a small selection of activities we do. Not only you will like it; the Kerewong horses definetely do too!! The new website will have details and dates for 2025.

17/02/2025

We also wanted a new photo of the (aging) sign for the new website. The 3 Guy Fawkes Brumbies seemed like a great idea. Two bombproof Professionals, 1 kid in training. Or he thought the brief was to follow the photographer? This was take 1, he got the brief eventually.