Posted in February 12th, 2011
…such as hitting the trails and crossing seasonal waters… Happy weekend, everyone!
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Posted in January 28th, 2011
The word for foal in Hausa is ”dukunshi, and we have two of those at Isthar’s Ark. It’s such a treat to come back from work and find these two baby equines about in the garden, busy discovering every detail of their little world. Diva (the darker one) is the more self-confident of the two, [...]
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Posted in January 27th, 2011
Tabita and Priscilla are leaving for Holland this weekend, so I thought this skywatch post would go to them! Remember Tabita’s birthday ride in the bush? I saved the best for last. Renate and Priscilla turned about halfways, while Tabita, Peter and I continued forward. The dogs stayed with us, not wanting to miss out [...]
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Posted in December 25th, 2010
Due to lacking Internet connection, I have not been able to share out great Christmas present this year: namely a little newborn foal, delivered by Ebony on the night to Sunday exactly a week ago! The baby foal, born a week before expected delivery, arrived while we were away during the evening and caused some [...]
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Posted in October 26th, 2010
…I think we have at least two! Sahara’s is still too early to tell… Here’s what’s happening in our place of the world! To see what’s going on in other corners of the world, visit My World!
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Posted in September 4th, 2010
After a successful birthday ride in the bush, I decided to take Tabita for a real riding lesson, where both of us got to ride a horse each. Ebony is the perfect beginner’s horse as she is both comfortable to ride and very reliable. There simply are no surprises with Ebony, and if there is [...]
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Posted in August 14th, 2010
Copyright Eden Foundation For the animals in the bush, the rainy season is the best season fodderwise, as the ground is full of fresh greens. For city animals however, the rainy season does not begin until the bush animals have had their share and the surplus of green grass makes it way to the city [...]
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Posted in August 13th, 2010
A week after the death of Maurice, I went over to his family and asked his son Emmanuel if he wanted to help me move the horses. Eager to start riding with me soon, Emmanuel was happy to help, and his brother Eric and sister Sadika joined us. Horseback riding is a precious thing in [...]
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Posted in July 23rd, 2010
We come out one morning to find Ivory, one of the equines of Ishtar’s Ark without her halter. IVORY: Esther, I feel naked without my halter. Can you help me? ESTHER [to herself]: Now I wonder who could be the guilty one…? ESTHER: OK, Ivory! Let’s try pink on you! Let’s spice up this horse [...]
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Posted in June 26th, 2010
After a month in Niger I finally I had the opportunity to ride Ebony, who I hadn’t ridden since our slow-slow walks to recovery way back in January, when she had just been brought in from the bush. Well, Ebony has certainly undergone some changes and is no longer a famished creature – instead, she [...]
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Posted in June 12th, 2010
…is a gentle giant named Ebony!
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Posted in May 26th, 2010
After nearly a week in Zinder, it’s still hard to sum up the feeling of how good it feels to be home. Sheba is being a darling, not leaving my side. I am so glad I made it back in time before Anette leaves for Sweden on Saturday (close call!). She has done an amazing [...]
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Posted in April 15th, 2010
One of the things I miss the most when I am away from Niger is the deep blue sky and the simple excursions into the Zinder bush. When my friend Karin came to visit, we rode out almost everyday. Of course, Sheba our Rhodesian ridgeback did not miss out on any rides either, and made [...]
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Posted in March 28th, 2010
Bimbo (2009) Before I left Niger, I mentioned in an earlier post that my ten year old barb mare Arwen had been mated with the sire of our choice. Unlike the the “Hausa way”, I wrote, Arwen’s last mating was very gentle. Arwen & DanMaffia (2007) Blog reader Laurel asked what the difference was. Well, [...]
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Posted in January 9th, 2010
There’s been a lot of action at Ishtar’s Ark since the arrival of our two bush newcomers, Ebony and Ivory. The four bay ladies of the Ishtar’s Ark Equine Herd Society could not believe their eyes when they saw STRANGERS invading their humans’ space! The petite little dun quickly realised that she needed a protector [...]
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