How I accidentally put myself in charge of 14 horses

Just when I thought I was coming for vacation, life had other plans.

A few weeks ago, I brought my horses to a resort here in Ghana. I wanted to rest — truly rest — after months of nonstop work. But what I saw when I arrived changed everything.

The horses living there were shockingly thin, standing in dark, smelly stalls, forgotten except for a few children who sometimes came by to feed them scraps. Their hooves were rotting, their eyes dull, their ribs visible. The management loved horses, but they had given up — the work was too hard, the pay too small, and there was no support.

I couldn’t look away.

I couldn’t walk away either.

So I offered my help.

Four weeks later, the horses have started to gain weight. Their hooves are clean, their coats are shining again, and the stable — once silent and heavy — feels alive. But there’s still a long way to go, and we need help to keep going.

The Bigger Picture

In Ghana, most horses don’t live on well-kept riding facilities. They live on beaches or in small backyards. There are over 200 horses in Accra alone — yet not a single tack shop in the entire country.

Things that are basic in Germany — saddle soap, hoof oil, bandages, biotin, grooming kits — simply don’t exist here. And it’s not because people don’t care. Most horse owners love their animals deeply, but they lack access to knowledge, products, and veterinary support.

That’s how my project, Bridging the Gap, was born.

Originally part of my riding business, it has grown into a mission to build Ghana’s first training center for professional horse careers — grooms, farriers, riding instructors — and to improve horse welfare through education and access to proper gear.

What We’re Doing Now

We’re collecting used horse equipment from Germany — everything from saddles and halters to brushes and boots. Some items are used directly for the horses here; others are sold in our small second-hand shop to fund feed, medicine, and hoof care.

There’s no public funding, no official support — just a few of us trying to make a difference with what we have.

My sister in Berlin collects the donations, and a logistics partner helps us ship everything to Ghana in batches. Every item helps.

Why I’m Sharing This

Because horses in Ghana have no voice.

And I can’t unsee what I’ve seen.

Here, even a simple grooming brush or a used halter can change a horse’s life.

If you’d like to help — by donating, sending used gear, or simply sharing our story — you’re helping to build a bridge between two worlds that have so much to learn from each other.

💚

Marie

Bridging the Gap Project – Ghana