Wild Cape stallions and mares have survived in the wetlands between Claymond and Royand in South Africa’s Western Cape for over a century.

According to conservationists, wild horses play a vital role in the ecosystem because their crossings open clogged waterways.

Wild horses seem to regulate herd size, as over decades, there have never been more than 30 of them, and no more than 3-4 herds cross the beaches and wetlands.

The future of the Cape’s enchanting wild horses is uncertain due to the increasing urbanization of local towns and the encroachment of human settlements.

There is a story about the origin of these wild horses that say they are the offspring of a ship that sank off the coast of Gansbaai in 1852. This ship was the British Navy frigate HMS Birkenhead, which had been converted into a troop carrier. 

The ship was en route to Algoa Bay and was carrying troops to fight the Xhosa.

It had 643 people on board, most of them soldiers, but there were also civilians, children, and nine horses from the 8th Cavalry.

The captain increased the ship’s speed and followed the coastline. Late at night, in calm waters, the ship struck a reef near the shark-free waters of Gansbaai. The ship disintegrated within minutes, killing most of those on board. The captain ordered the horses to be released before the boat completely sank. One of the horses broke its leg, but the other eight survived and swam to shore.

Locals believe that the war horses of the 8th Cavalry were mixed with local farm horses, a subspecies of the famous Cape horse in the 18th century. Whatever their origin, the wild horses of the Cape have adapted well to the conditions and survived for many years in a small part of the wetland.

Fifteen years ago, Peter Delaney boldly quit his job in Japan and embarked on an adventure. He bought a 4WD vehicle and sent it to Cape Town for a year-long journey across Africa. During his experience, Peter emotionally connected with Africa’s fascinating wildlife. The stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and unique beauty of the animals evoked a deep sense of wonder in him. Then, he realized that his passion for photography could be more than a hobby and become his work and life.

Next, you can see Peter Delaney’s black and white pictures of their enchanting beauty while thinking about the story of the creation of Cape Horses.

We hope you enjoyed watching this shutter. To see more pictures, visit Peter Delaney’s Instagram page. What do you think about Cape Horses and the story of their ancestors? Did they catch your attention?