Ibalansi Equestrian Center, a Tranquil Facility in South Africa

Ibalansi Equestrian Center is situated in the hills of Firlands, just off Gordon’s Bay in South Africa. Its tranquil location is within close proximity to the ocean, the majestic Hottentots-Holland mountains and Cape Town.

Ibalansi means balance in Zulu. And Lara-Tabitha Snyman believes balance is key for successful communication between horse and human. Lara is focused on establishing mental, emotional and physical balance through communication techniques at liberty. She treats each horse as an individual, realizing each equine has different needs.

“I studied animal psychology, specializing in dogs and horses back home in Germany. I have studied all kinds of training methods until I decided to listen and follow horses instead,” Lara explained. “Ever since, I have adapted techniques from the horse’s language with internal and external language skills.”

Lara regularly offers seminars, workshops, one on one sessions and training packages for horses to come stay at Ibalansi from 1-6 months. The property has a “horse pod”, a cottage with its own garden and porch for out of town clients who wish to stay on the grounds with their horse.

Lara refers to her boutique facility as a “safe space” for both horses and humans. It features a fully enclosed indoor arena with a viewing area and a connected set of stalls, for perfect working conditions year round.

Growing up, Lara was inspired by German riding halls with adjacent stalls and similar layouts from her hometown in Rheinfelden. Lara dreamt of having an equestrian property with everything under one roof. After drawing up several layouts and designs with her husband, she finally sketched her dream barn. Lara’s steel structure includes a riding arena with stalls and her home on the ground level with a viewing area upstairs, above her home. Four box stalls are attached to the arena with an aisle leading to a tack room and feed room at the end of the stalls. Being environmentally conscious, Lara sought out secondhand building materials whenever it was possible. All Structures, based in Cape Town, owned by Ettienne Claasen put up steel building.

The walls between the stalls and arena allow the horses to view the arena sessions and interact with each other in their stalls.

Simple paintings with beautiful old wooden frames by Lara are hung on the arena walls with reminders of her philosophy. The arena footing is composed of sand, which is watered and dragged daily.

An abundance of natural light floods through the roof of the arena from see-through partitions in the ceiling. The light fixtures are from IKEA, they resemble dandelion flowers which resemble resilience and strength.