By: Charlene Carroll

Where faith, horses, and hope come together. A story of the South African Boerperd and the children who found hope on horseback.

At De Adelaar South African Boerperd Stud, the gentle South African Boerperd is changing lives one child at a time. Each week, children from the Jacaranda and Louise Botha Children’s Homes arrive with shy smiles that soon turn to laughter as they meet their four-legged friends. 

For them, these moments are far more than riding lessons. They are therapy, freedom, and connection, carried on the calm, loyal stride of a Boerperd.

With the support of the South African Boerperd Society and the De Adelaar Foundation, these horses are healing hearts and restoring hope. The Foundation was founded by Johan Kruger, Neil du Preez, and Ezanne Liebetrau, three people united by the belief that horses are vessels of grace and growth, capable of reaching places words cannot. When Equestrian Life caught up with the team, their shared passion and deep faith shone through, revealing how seamlessly horses and humanity come together in their work.

Through their collaboration with the Jacaranda and Louis Botha Children’s Homes, the De Adelaar team has created a sanctuary where young lives touched by hardship can rebuild confidence, trust, and self-worth guided by what they fondly call their “therapists on four legs.”

Q: Tell me a bit about De Adelaar Foundation and your work with horses and children?

Johan: The journey began with a deep sense of calling. We saw how horses could touch lives beyond the competition arena. Our partnership with Jacaranda and Louis Botha Children’s Homes allowed us to bring together two worlds: the discipline and beauty of horses with the resilience and potential of children. It’s been a divine meeting point of purpose and compassion.

Q: How did your partnership with the two children’s homes begin?

Neil: For the last 13 years, we were part of Jacaranda Liggiefees, and then it started as a simple outreach idea that quickly grew into something life changing. The homes were open to exploring alternative ways of helping children heal, and our horses were ready to serve that purpose. From day one, the bond between child and horse was immediate and powerful.

Q: What does a typical session look like for the children?

Ezanne: We start every session with grounding, sometimes a quiet prayer, sometimes just a moment of stillness. The children learn to groom, communicate, and respect the horse before any riding happens. Each activity builds trust. It’s structured but filled with heart.

Q: You describe your horses as “therapists on four legs.” Why?

Johan: Horses are incredibly intuitive. They read emotions and respond honestly. A horse will not judge; it simply reflects what you give. That honesty creates a safe, sacred space for healing.

Q: How do horses help these children?

Neil: Trauma often isolates children. Horses help rebuild those emotional bridges. They teach patience, trust, and the importance of calm energy. When a child realises that a horse responds to kindness rather than fear, it changes how they see relationships altogether.

Q: Have you seen specific changes in a child’s confidence or attitude?

Ezanne: Absolutely. We’ve seen children who were withdrawn and anxious become open and joyful. One young boy who was once too afraid to touch a horse now leads confidently and teaches others. The transformation is often quiet but profound.

Q: What kind of prep goes into pairing a child with a particular horse?

Neil: Each horse and each child has a story, a rhythm, and a temperament. We spend time observing both, and often, the right match feels guided by something greater than us. The horses have a way of choosing their person.

Q: How do the children respond the first time they meet the horses?

Ezanne: At first, there’s hesitation and a fear of the unknown. But by the third or fourth visit, there’s laughter and connection. Watching that shift from fear to love is what makes every moment worth it.

Q: Can you share a story that captures what this programme means?

Johan: During one of our lessons, we had a young boy who was struggling. A mare refused to let him mount her. Thinking it might just be her temperament, we brought in another horse, but she reacted the same way.

We could sense that something deeper was going on. So we asked the boy to take Nova for a short walk to lead her gently, to talk to her, maybe even tell her what was happening inside. Because horses, especially one as intuitive as Nova, can sense when your heart is unsettled.

From a distance, we watched as the boy suddenly broke down in tears. He threw his arms around Nova’s neck and held her tightly. It was a raw, beautiful moment of release, no words, just connection. After a while, they came back to the arena. The boy mounted again, and this time Nova stood perfectly still. She trusted him completely. Together, they moved as one.

From that day on, something in him changed. His confidence, his openness, his light, it all began to grow. De Adelaar A Queen Nova had met him where words could not reach

Q: Are there trained therapists or volunteers involved alongside you?

Neil: We lead the sessions as a team with trained volunteers, equine professionals, and guidance from Neuro Life Therapists who help us structure each session with sensitivity and purpose. Safety, respect, and compassion are at the heart of everything.

Q: What kind of training do your horses go through?

Ezanne: Our horses are trained with patience and love. They learn to remain calm under pressure and to respond to emotional cues rather than commands. We also make sure they rest and enjoy life outside therapy. A horse that feels safe can help others feel safe too.

What’s truly special is that even the judges at the South African Boerperd Nationals have noticed this unique bond. They’ve commented on how our horses often respond to the children’s emotional state, rather than strict cues, sensing their fear or calmness and mirroring that energy. It’s a powerful reflection of the deep, intuitive connection these animals share with the children, and a beautiful reminder that true communication goes far beyond words.

Q: How do you measure progress or success in your programme?

Johan: Progress can’t always be measured on paper. Sometimes success is a smile, eye contact, or a moment of laughter after weeks of silence. We do track emotional growth through feedback from the homes and through our own observations and the healing is visible, it shows in their posture, confidence, and peace.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt?

Neil: That true healing is mutual. The horses grow calmer and more trusting, and the children rediscover joy and courage. It’s a divine exchange of love flowing both ways.

Q: How do you see equine therapy fitting into the broader landscape of child development and mental health in South Africa?

Ezanne: Equine therapy has enormous potential in South Africa. It’s a form of therapy that transcends language and social barriers. We believe it can complement education and psychological support, especially for children who struggle to express emotions through words.

Q: What are your hopes for the future of your organisation? 

Johan: Our dream is to expand the programme, reach more children, and establish a permanent equine therapy centre that becomes a home of hope. Through faith, community, and the gentle strength of horses, we believe God will continue to use this work to touch hearts across the nation.

A story of hope

At De Adelaar South African AFRICAN  Boerperd Stud and the De Adelaar Foundation, the work goes far beyond therapy. It is, at its heart, a ministry of hope. Johan, Neil, and Ezanne have witnessed time and again how they believe God uses horses to restore brokenness and spark new purpose in young lives.

When love and faith take the lead, healing follows — one child, one horse, one heartbeat at a time. And when that horse is a South African Boerperd, the story carries an even deeper meaning.

The South African Boerperd embodies the strength, gentleness, and quiet resilience of our nation. Calm enough to comfort a child, yet powerful enough to carry their hopes forward. Watching these horses meet fear with patience and love with loyalty reminds us that this proudly South African breed is not only part of our heritage but part of our healing.