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Its 11 years ago now, that we lived in Australia. In a ( as the Australians call it politely) low rainfall area.
For us mortal Europeans a Dessert. The farm, like so many in western Australia all wheat and sheep , a small property roughly the size of Hampshire.As we are so far from Perth, TV reception is impossible, so:
"why not get a Horse?
My wife knows a little bit about it, me a total stranger to Horses.
That's when a small Quarter horse mare was bought.
A western saddle was put on her, my wife on top ,and off they went.
I watch her, slowly disappearing in the distance, leaving me at the side of the road.
Maybe, its not so hard after all, looks easy enough?
At the next weekend in the Town, some one offered me "Magnum".
Australian Stock horse Gelding, 17.2 , 10 years old, ex racer, retrained into Polocrosse.
As I managed to"Pet" the horse tree times, without major injuries on my side,
was the exchange of the Contract and the delivery only a formality.
5.30 in the afternoon, Magnum was unloaded, and I lead him into his field.
I'll stay with him for a while just in case, he gets nervous.
So we had a stroll over the field, and I showed him where the water is.
I spend the whole night with my new "Mate", siting next to him , talking.
At the breakfast table, my wife asks me , where I have bin?
My explanation that Mag would call, every time I attempted to leave the Field .
He is training YOU, all ready, she smiled.
The first time, to get on my horse!;
The Indian made Stock saddle I bought was so cheap and nasty that we used it only twice, in all the 4 years.
My wife saddled the horse for me, my idea to train the horse to lay down to ease the mounting ( much like a Camel), Was quickly dismissed, by the strange look In Magnums eyes, and my wife's, "don't be silly" comment.
We left our drive way, and got onto the main Road (unsealed sand track) watching for traffic, as Tuesday's and Thursday's is post delivery.
After walking for a mile, my wife suggested , it was time for "Loop" and to watch the"Outline", What line? have seen no line but Loopy it went not to be out done by a small 14.2 Quarter horse, Magnum took off like a Rocket and went flat out , my only hope was that the barbed wire fence in 8 miles distance, would be to far, even for him. I returned after 20 minutes, with a wide stupid grin on my face, tiers in my eyes (from the wind), and dead flies on my for head.
But I am still convinced, the Indian Saddle maker in Calcutta , designed this saddle to have ME gelded. Magnum run off, several times with me.... Once the gate we usualy lock, was closed.. going as fast as possible..shoulder dropt in..like a Motobike at the grand prix...and he jumpt but that is another story. |
