89/365: Bathtime

89/365: Bathtime, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

March 30th

Another visit to the Wiki stables. This colt apparently wanted a bath.

Other horses prefer a dust-bath:

But some join the colt in the water:

68/365: Spring nibble

68/365: Spring nibble, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

March 9th

Horseriding day! A big birch had just been felled so the horses got to eat the very best little branches from the very top of the tree.

27/365: Gratka

27/365: Gratka, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

January 27th

The horse I rode today. She's called Gratka, which is a derivation of the word 'gratis' (latin 'gratiis' meaning 'out of kindness'). 'Gratis' nowadays means 'free of charge'. In Polish, 'gratka' will be the word you use to describe something which was a really great opportunity, something you just had to grab as soon as you saw it because it was such a good deal. 'Ale gratka!' you might exclaim, when the universe gives you a present and asks for no extra charge. What luck!

Gratka is a nice horse, a bit round, a bit slow, and a bit lazy, but that's all right. I'm a beginner, I need a patient horse who doesn't mind a stupid rider.

11/365: Horses

11/365: Horses, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

January 11th

Third horseriding lesson. The snow melted then froze over again, so we couldn't go in the round pen because it was solid ice. However because we are total beginners the trainer said it wasn't a loss, we could just go longeing in the field and learn a bit of technique. In my world, that means 'try not to bounce around like a ragdoll while the horse trots'. I am not graceful. But evidently I am not hopeless, either, as she said that on friday's lesson we could ditch the longe and just ride by ourselves. So awesome. I have no idea what I'm doing but it's fun :D

Below, not me (no one to take pictures) but Kasia whom I share this New Year's Resolution with :D

364/365: The airport fence

364/365: The airport fence, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

December 30th

To the left, of course. The easiest way to get to my horseriding place is to take the bus to the airport, then follow the fence South until you reach the stables. I wanted to take more photos but I think I grabbed the wrong battery that morning, and it ran out.

350/365: New Year Resolution

350/365: New Year Resolution, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

December 16th

2011 hasn't started yet, but I couldn't wait with my resolutions. One of them is to learn how to ride a horse. Because that is a pretty useful thing to know. In case of emergencies. Also, horsies are purty.

We went to the Wiki stables, right by the airport. It was cold, snowy, beautiful. After the lesson (which was hilarious, I've sat and been carried by horses before but I've never actually ridden one) the stablemaster let all the mares out to run around in the snow while she got a sled ready for a ride. A perfect day, really.

Next lesson just before New Year's. I really can't wait.