The sparsely vegetated plains around Garub on the eastern fringe of the Namib Desert is no paradise.
The land is barren, the climate dry and hot, and vegetation is few and sparse.
A watering place developed around this borehole, and Garub became the central place of residence for the horses.
The German colonials quickly sealed off the region creating a 350 square kilometer restricted area known asSperrgebiet.
Garub is located within Sperrgebiet.
In winter, they can last even longeran astounding 72 hours.
For sustenance the horses eat desert grass, supplementing their meager diet with pieces of their own dung.
But after a good rain, when grass becomes abundant, foraging becomes less stressful.
Their numbers also increase significantly during this time.
Today, the borehole at Garub is maintained specifically for the horses.
Namib horses resting in the shade next to an abandoned German train station.
