Arwen

There has been a lot of talk about Arwen's pregnancy and during the last few weeks, a lot of people have been telling me that there simply can't be a foal in her stomach because of all her "gudu" and because her belly is so small.

I agree that her belly is small; however, you can feel the foal move and her body has been developing, preparing for birth... Now, I have never had a horse that is about to foal before, and I must say, I am learning new things by the day. At first, I listened to what the "wise" people here had to say, but after a while, I got confused trying to sort out what was wisdom and what was myth. That you could tell she was pregnant because of her udder development seemed true. But to speculate on her foaling date by the number of white marks on her body was just a waste of time. Now to take it easy with her seemed like common sense, but to tie her to a post because it was not good for her to exercise at all was ridiculous to both of us (both Arwen and me). I must say that when I came back to Niger, I had no intention on galloping Arwen at all. There were several riding novices who wanted to go out with me and I was set on taking it easy. However, Arwen was not. In the end, I chose between keeping her stimulated or keeping her "safe". I chose stimulated, as safe made my gentle mare aggressive, and I didn't like that. I've seen the best of horses turn into the worst because they weren't stimulated anymore, and I'm not experienced enough (with horses) to know how to reverse such a change of character. Arwen has never bitten and never kicked - however, if she would start to, I would not be able to keep her and hence I would lose her anyway.

Now, stimulating Arwen means an unbelievable amount of work, and I'm not kidding. Arwen will allow Anette and Sofia to ride "sanu-sanu" (easy-easy) with her for a few days, but when I hear that she's starting to freak out (jumping left and right because she's so "scared"), I know it's time for some "gudu". There is no end however to Arwen's gudu. There comes a time about once every week, where I just have to give her free reins and wait until she gets tired or satisfied. It takes a long time though. A very long time. And when she's done, she only satisfied but never tired. She'll even ask for more, although she knows at that point that I'm not in for it any longer. We'll go home, Anette, Sofia or Elisabeth will be able to continue to ride her without the slightest problem in the world, until she gets restless again and I have to take her out for another ride...

Now, I can sincerely tell you that I'm waiting for this foal to come out - and it will take some years bef ore I mate her again! Arwen is just not the kind of horse that wants to stay inside and take it easy. You should see her look and her behaviour if Sahara gets to go out and she doesn't. "What?! What is the meaning with this???? You've got to be kidding ME!"

Race horses take on attitudes and that is one of the reasons why I have not been as anxious to train Sahara as much as I have trained Arwen. Sahara is young and she has a lot to learn just by maturing and watching things happen around her. She already loves the race track, but she doesn't need to have the same blooded tooth as Arwen has. She doesn't need to have the same airs and the same ways as Arwen. Now, exactly a year ago, Arwen was a little mare that came in from the bush. She was timid and tranquil. She ate like a fly and did everything she could to please her new mistress. She never bit, never kicked - and followed me faithfully around in the garden like a dog.

In the bush, she showed her true nature. While galloping with the boys (the two stallions of the former governor), she would often ask to take the lead - though she always accepted her position no matter what it was. The one riding her (it would rarely be me, as most of my friends were afraid of riding a stallion) would complement her for being so obedient... She was gentle, timid and obedient. What happened??? She got turned into a race horse...

Now reversing race horse behavior is not easy and with Arwen, I've had to settle for something inbetween. She's not "mad" like the other horses at the track. Her training is varied and if stimulated, she's a safe mount with any rider, no matter their level of riding experience. The only problem is that you have to keep her stimulated and that's not always easy...

Arwen's maternal instincts are strong! While I check on Sahara, who has been limping, Arwen "checks" on me. Mmmm, who can resist a good lick in the back? No wonder I keep showering all the time!!!

Ishtar

Back at the market

Our Sunday morning habit: the market of Zinder! You'd be surprised at how much tissue you can find! Everytime there is something new; our mission is just to find it... :-)

Sofia and I - a dark picture that has been "rescued" with some Photoshop "shadow/highlight". When taking pictures, you either need a good camera, or a good program! In some cases however, you need both...

One of the many "alleys" at the market...

An old man who approached Sofia and had something to tell her; however, she could not understand hausa and I never heard what his message was...

Another alley!

"You had baby shoes, you said?"

"Second-hand underwear, anybody?"

Oh yes, the resemblance is striking! We just had to take a picture of it...

We went home with a whole bag full of tissue... Now let's just see how long it takes before we're back again!

Ishtar

Fruits and vegetables

Now, two people do not eat as much as four, but let's just say that Sofia and I are very good fruit and vegetables consumers!

The great thing with Maman Ninni, our greengrocer, is that it's always a surprise to see what fruits/vegetables he will bring!

Ishtar

First ones to go

Anette and my dad drove to Kano this morning. They're both flying to Sweden. My mom and sister were supposed to have come for Christmas, but my mom got a serious infection and so my dad is joining her instead. It's sad because we were really looking forward to seeing them again, but it feels good that he'll be by her side soon. She's been in a lot of pain lately and we all wish we could ease it in some way...

It's been great having Anette and my dad around (who would have thought that seven weeks could pass so quickly?) - now we'll have to see how well Sofia and I can do by ourselves... :-)

Ishtar

Afternoon walk

Today was Anette's last afternoon out and we were supposed to go to the racetrack. Unfortunately, Sahara put her foot wrong and started limping, so we turned back and left Sahara at home, while the rest of us (Sofia, Anette, I and Arwen) walked out to the fields so I could ride Arwen and they could take pictures...

I thought Arwen and I were just going for a walk, but seeing that we didn't have Sahara in tow, Arwen had a different mind. "You let me run!" her body language said, and I just had to. Or I would have had one highly understimulated horse at home!

Rocks, rocks, rocks... Zinder was built on its exact location just because of these rocks; it made it easy for the inhabitants to spot other armies, while their own soldiers were well hidden... That's it for the history lesson today, folks!

Ishtar

Animal life

Esther and Madougou the vet, who comes by on his weekly visit to check on the mystified foal in Arwen's stomach. I always wonder: will it be alive, dead or resurrected this time...? :-)

Arwen at peace in the deep white sand...

Sahara looks a little less elegant, but enjoys her rest just as much...

The horses' view from their "garden"...

Arwen licks my back as I and Baloo check on her udder. The color of her milk is supposed to be an indicator of when the foaling will take place, but many mares will often show some of the signs or none at all, so in the end, it's pretty hard to tell until the day comes when she starts to sweat and go into labour...

Arwen's favorite hobby after racing: rolling in the sand...

Baloo the guarddog has made some new friends and enjoys the shower that Sahara gives him...

"I look even cuter when I roll over! Want to see?"

Kinza - our Polish Alsacian from Nigeria - with her own unique charm.


Ishtar

Sunday afternoon at the track

In the afternoon, we drove out to the race track again. Ali and his son Isaka had brought the mares and the three of us (Anette, Sofia and I) came by car. Nice deal, if you don't enjoy riding or if you want to wear something other than riding jeans for a while...

Our mission was let Sahara train endurance again. The first time we did it, about a week ago, we shocked the entire racing community. Some watched with little more than indifference when she galloped her two first rounds, but when she began her third, everything grew silent. One by one, the men stopped in their conversation and everybody's eyes were on the mare that was doing the impossible: running a third lap! Now as you've figured out by now, I love surprised, but the surprise that reigned and the silence that followed was more than I had anticipated before! People just stared as Sahara finished off at full speed. And I was satisfied because she had given her all and was thoroughly tired, something Arwen never is...

Chinada was not there this time, as he had gone to Kieby in Nigeria for their two week races. Ali found me someone else however who dared to let Sahara continue her three lap training, and although he was slightly easy on her and had go back and let her run a forth lap, he was just as thrilled about riding Sahara as Chinada was after he had ridden Arwen for the first time.

It's a funny thing with horses and jockeys. And owners as well, I would say! You fall in love with your first horse, and after that, few horses will ever stand out like the first one. Although he has much faith in Sahara's potential, Chinada will never be able to appreciate this second mare as much as the first one. The other jockey however was so impressed with her that he wouldn't stop talking about it, but then again, he has never ridden Arwen!

My fiends however are in love with Sahara, because she's such a sweet and comfortable horse to ride, and being "Arwen's shadow", you never have to worry about where she's going or what she will do once she picks up her speed. Arwen is more difficult to handle. She's my horse down to the bone and what I love about her is that there is nothing she won't do for me. There is no "gudu" in the world that she won't squeeze out if she just gets the feeling that I'm in for a gallop... Only problem is that when she's not stimulated enough, she gets kind of cranky and will often initiate acceleration even when it hasn't been called for. Unless you LOVE galloping, such a mare will not make it to the favorites with the any new rider, and neither Anette nor Sofia are comfortable galloping amongst a million bushes and trees.

Anyway, we had a very nice afternoon. Arwen power-walked around the track and behaved immensely well until she realized that she was to be taken home without having stretched her legs... Needless to say, Ali was pretty tired when he finally arrived half an hour later... As for the girls, they monitored Sahara's three laps and were pleased with the results!

Now believe it or not, while the little jockey rode off with Sahara for her forth lap, I ended up taking care of his horse. Yuk, I don't like mixed colors! This poor fellow had been painted with white dots all over his brown coat...

Ishtar

The Baobab forest

Mirriah is not only known for its market place however; in fact, it is even more known for its huge Baobab forest. These trees were sowed a very long time ago and are of great value to the families that owns them. During the rainy season, they produce the much desired Baobab leaves (that are sold at every market) and during the dry season, they produce the very nutritious and very tasty Baobab fruits.

People on their way to the market, which opened late because of the dusty (and "cold"!) weather!

Two sisters-in-law enjoying the seat on a bent palm tree...

Sofia seems quite small in proportion to the 150 year old Baobab tree! But at least they both fit on the picture!

OK, so we could have climbed higher, but for the sake of the picture (and our security) we stayed close to each other... :-)

On the way home, we passed a herd of goats!

Ishtar

The Mirriah market

This morning, we drove to Mirriah; a small community situated about 20 km from east of Zinder. The journey took more than half an hour however, because the roads were so deteriorated and the Suzuki (which is not mine...) did not want to end up in every other hole...

Sunday is the market day of Mirriah (every city has its own market day, which enables to the businessmen to go from one market to another the whole week - in Zinder, the market day is on Thursdays) but although it was noon, it was surprisingly empty. People found the weather too cold; we however found it quite windy and some had trouble with all the sand that settled in our eyes...
Anette and Sofia tasted sugar cane for the first time. They said it was nice, but they did not need more than a little piece before being satisfied. Obviously sugar cane is very sweet, but it is also VERY rich in fibers, which is why you can walk around with it for a long time without finishing it off as you have to chew and spit all the time. Good mouth exercise!

Here, Renate and Sofia bought shoes, but I couldn't get the children (that flocked around us) to move away from the camera...

Every market is split into several deparments, and as we were seeing everything, we took a quick tour to the meat market.

The meat however was far from tempting, and I think both Anette and Sofia were happy that Hassane goes directly to the slaughter house to fetch the meat that we eat at home... Remember though that meat is a luxury item which few can afford. Most people in Niger are vegetarians, but not by choice but out of necessity.

Ah, in the end, we ended up finding quite a lot of little hand made things. Mirriah is a nice place to go to if you're looking for items made of stray, brick or calabash.

Clay turned into artwork - what more is there to say...?

Another of Anette's famous people's portraits!

In the end, we made it back to our car, but only because there were more things to discover...

Ishtar

Play-aunts

Yesterday, Tabita, Anette, Sofia and I went out to look at the horses. We also walked over to Maurice's house and visited his family, as his youngest daughter Sadika is of the same age as Tabita, and they play a lot together - or should I say, looking and smiling at each other. Sadika has finally overcome her fear for me, and so I held her in my arms, and Sofia carried Tabita who was slightly sick and did not want to walk barefoot on the sand.
"I see Tabita has got three aunts now!" Maurice said happily, and yes, that's really true. Everywhere she turns, there is someone for her and she has picked up a lot of things since we arrived. Her favourites are tickling us in the back and washing up with whoever has enough patience to bear the shower involved...

Anette - which should by the way be pronounced "Aaaaaa....nETTe!" - has been the best of play mates and Sofia and I have had to accept coming second place... :-) Unfortunately for Tabita (and for the rest of us as well!) Anette will be leaving on Wednesday, together with my father, who will be rejoining my mother at the hospital. My mother was supposed to come with Miriam for the Christmas holidays, but they had to cancel their flight due to a number of sudden complications surrounding my mother's health. Things have been really tough for her lately and so we are glad that at least my dad is rejoining her, even though we would have wished - of course - to have them all here. God is near though and I'm so thankful, because without him, I don't know where we'd be right now.

Greetings!
Ishtar