Thursday, May 3, 2007
Riding the Cadiz Coast
I started out my adventure by choosing a helmet from the stable's extensive supply of safety headgear. The stable has a wide selection of traditional Spanish and English saddles. Both types are in perfectly serviceable condition and come in enough sizes to fit you and the horse. Spanish saddles are actually more comfortable than American western saddles. The stable also offers rides for a variety of experience levels to meet your personal needs.
After choosing my helmet, I came eye-to-eye with a short, fluffy red gelding known as Sunrise (which I'm assuming was a Peruvian Paso). My ride started out along the beach under a bright blue sky with a light breeze. Despite it being only early April, the sun was warm, and sea birds called to one another while I listened to the muffled smack of horse hooves hitting wet sand.
We spent the better part of an hour trotting and galloping over the sand in the peace and quiet of Tarifa, after which we headed for the green hills of the surrounding area. Up in the hills, the livestock of the local farmers roam free grazing. You can always hear the jingle of the bells around the necks of the cows and sheep wandering from place to place, as well as the clatter they make when the horses startle them. If you get far enough up into the hills, you can see the coast of Africa in the hazy distance.
Spanish horses also know which way is "home." When we turned back towards the stables, the horses quickened their pace and perked their ears forward. For some of them, it was the most enthusiasm they'd shown all morning. After arriving back in the stable yard, I took the saddle off Sunrise's sweaty back and gave him a good-bye scratch around his ears, taking with me memories of one of the best parts of my trip to Spain. -- Contributed by Sarah la Menor.
After choosing my helmet, I came eye-to-eye with a short, fluffy red gelding known as Sunrise (which I'm assuming was a Peruvian Paso). My ride started out along the beach under a bright blue sky with a light breeze. Despite it being only early April, the sun was warm, and sea birds called to one another while I listened to the muffled smack of horse hooves hitting wet sand.
We spent the better part of an hour trotting and galloping over the sand in the peace and quiet of Tarifa, after which we headed for the green hills of the surrounding area. Up in the hills, the livestock of the local farmers roam free grazing. You can always hear the jingle of the bells around the necks of the cows and sheep wandering from place to place, as well as the clatter they make when the horses startle them. If you get far enough up into the hills, you can see the coast of Africa in the hazy distance.
Spanish horses also know which way is "home." When we turned back towards the stables, the horses quickened their pace and perked their ears forward. For some of them, it was the most enthusiasm they'd shown all morning. After arriving back in the stable yard, I took the saddle off Sunrise's sweaty back and gave him a good-bye scratch around his ears, taking with me memories of one of the best parts of my trip to Spain. -- Contributed by Sarah la Menor.
