Cart Horse Protection Association with Skin Renewal

A Fresh Start for CHPA in Somerset West

The Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA) – Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre in Somerset West recently received a much-needed makeover, thanks to the dedicated staff from the Cape Town branches of Skin Renewal.

Our team spent the day painting horse stables, treating wooden sheds and paddocks, and creating beautiful gardens to enhance the environment for the horses. In addition, Skin & Body Renewal donated R10,000, which was used to purchase much-needed farrier tools for apprentices—an investment in both skills and sustainability.

Why Skin Renewal Supports CHPA

Each year, ahead of Christmas, the Skin Renewal team chooses to “adopt” a social initiative. In 2016, we decided to support CHPA because of the vital work they do in ensuring the welfare of Cape Town’s working cart horses.

As a member of Skin Renewal explains: “We would really like to see a regulated carting industry on the Cape Flats with all working cart horses protected from abuse.”

The Story of the Carting Industry

The carting tradition in Cape Town has deep roots in District Six, where horses and carts were once used to “smous” (hawk) goods such as fruit, fish, vegetables, and bottles. Horses were well cared for, kept in community stables, and travelled short distances with manageable loads.

However, the forced removals to the Cape Flats changed everything. With hawking no longer viable, horses were often rented out to operators with little knowledge of animal care. This led to widespread neglect—thin, overworked, overloaded, and abused horses became a common sight on Cape Town’s roads.

To address these dire conditions, the Cart Horse Protection Association was founded in 1995.

CHPA Today

Today, CHPA provides critical welfare, education, and support services for over 400 working cart horses and their owners. Their Clinic and Training Centre in Epping 2 includes:

A farrier agency
A harness shop
Treatment stalls and paddocks
A cart repair workshop
An education and training room
Administrative offices and feed storage facilities

Through these services, CHPA continues to transform the lives of working horses and the communities that depend on them.

A Heartfelt Thank You from CHPA

Andrea Rubin, Social Media Liaison at CHPA, expressed her gratitude:

“When I heard Skin Renewal was organising a volunteer day, excitement was an understatement! The passion and preparation the team brought made it feel like our centre had undergone a full renovation. Paddocks, stables, and shelters were painted, gardens were planted, and the entire centre was revitalised. The festive season is about sharing, giving, and helping those in need—and Skin Renewal embodied that perfectly.”

United in Support

The success of the day would not have been possible without the support of generous sponsors:

Skin Renewal – donated time, labour, and R10,000 for farrier tools.
Lamelle – donated R5,000.
Kaap Agri Stellenbosch – sponsored 100 litres of creosote.
Western Shoppe – sponsored cleaning materials.
Ferndale Nurseries – donated plants.
Dulux – sponsored 10 x 20L buckets of paint.
Genop – donated NeoStrata skincare products raffled to raise funds.
Joy Heath – donated a Samsung top-loading washing machine.

Giving Back with Purpose

Our involvement with the Cart Horse Protection Association reflects Skin Renewal’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and animal welfare. By uniting businesses, staff, and sponsors, we were able to create a lasting impact—ensuring that Cape Town’s cart horses have a safer, healthier, and more dignified life.

SKIN RENEWAL AESTHETIC CLINICS

Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA)

Meet Our People