Marcia Shaver
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances (2008), Via de la Plata (2011), Portuguese (2014), Le Puy (2016-2017)
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Yes, my husband mispronounced the name of the horses. Aren't they pretty? I wanted to go for a ride but thought that would be extremely unwise! I would love to see them at the fountain.They are Pottoks and very tame. I have seen them line up for drinks at the Fountain Rolland respecting the space and queue of the pilgrims.
I would love to tour Iceland, it's on my definite list. It's not too long of a flight from Seattle, oddly enough. I think the Icelandic horses are amazing.You should tour Iceland someday, Icelandic ponies love attention.
Unfortunately I've heard that same thing, too, while on the Camino, and always hoped it was a rumor. If they are raised for meat, whose meat? For human consumption or pet food?I don't know if this is true, but we were told they are raised for meat.
I think you'll eat anything if you are hungry enough. I ate wild game growing up in a family that did not have a lot of money. If you have ever watched the whole process it is a hard thing to eat any kind of meat. Growing up on a farm, all of the animals are sort of your pets.@OZAJ, you make some very good points. Maybe horse meat sounds offensive to many of us is because we train horses, ride them, pet them and they are beautiful, but cows, sheep, roos and other animals most of us do not see in the same way. I for one am more emotionally disconnected from them, but many vegetarians feel all slaughtering of animals is wrong.
I am not trying to start a debate; just sharing a thought of my own about the rumors of horses in Spain raised for meat.
I saw plenty of lovely horses and adorable donkeys, as well, on all of my various Caminos. They come to the fences, I think hoping for a carrot or apple, which I never had. I always was sad that I did not have a treat for them. I wonder if they possibly like chocolate; I had plenty of that.They added a very special element for me because they always come to the fence, or across the open pasture, and interact with me. It just makes me happy.
Great message. When I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa a volunteer petted a donkey who decided to bite his finger off, thus he gained the name and fame of being called "Donkey John" for the rest of his life.I suggest caution around approaching "tame" animals.
For example, in Grand Canyon NP, most people are fearful of rattlesnake and instead hand feed the cute little local squirrels. The ranger noted that squirrel bites account for almost all bite incidents, which require treatment with a rabies shot.
-Paul
I live a few blocks from a small hobby farm. The owners have a horse named Sarge and an adorable little donkey named June. On my walks I often have veered off my trail to call their names and they shuffle over from the barn to the fence I stand at. I often have brought a sandwich bag with cut up carrots and apple slices and enjoy a few minutes feeding and talking to them. I notice they both carefully have used only their lips to take the food from my fingers...thankfully.Great message. When I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa a volunteer petted a donkey who decided to bite his finger off, thus he gained the name and fame of being called "Donkey John" for the rest of his life.
As God is my Witness I'll never go hung.....I think you'll eat anything if you are hungry enough.
would that be Don Qui Jean in French?Great message. When I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa a volunteer petted a donkey who decided to bite his finger off, thus he gained the name and fame of being called "Donkey John" for the rest of his life.
We know a young man from Ecuador who says that if someone cooks a Guinea pig for you that it is really a high level gift. Anyway, I think these horses were/are a versatile breed and a very fitting backdrop for this part of the Camino journey.As God is my Witness I'll never go hung.....
That said and back to being serious - Horse meat is popular in many countries like Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Indonesia, Tonga, and Iceland.
I had some when I was a young lad Back in the USSR. it was OK
While on Machu Picchu hike me and my son ate alpaca but just couldn't bring ourselves to eat guinea pigs.
So, yeah... to each his\her own I guess.
I love your tongue in cheek translation but actually I think it would be a bit more humorous if it had been a female donkey because then it would Anesse Jean!would that be Don Qui Jean in French?
If you put the treats on the flat palm of your hand for them, you can both relax and enjoy the moment! They can't bite your fingers unintentionally that way. They really don't want to bite you because they love treats, but they can't actually see your fingers clearly while nibbling. (On the other hand, if they lay their ears back, that's horse language for "stay away from me" so they might intentionally bite you then.)I live a few blocks from a small hobby farm. The owners have a horse named Sarge and an adorable little donkey named June. On my walks I often have veered off my trail to call their names and they shuffle over from the barn to the fence I stand at. I often have brought a sandwich bag with cut up carrots and apple slices and enjoy a few minutes feeding and talking to them. I notice they both carefully have used only their lips to take the food from my fingers...thankfully.
If you put the treats on the flat palm of your hand for them, you can both relax and enjoy the moment! They can't bite your fingers unintentionally that way.
Out in the mountains of California we've seen many hikers feeding rodents despite warnings having been posted not to because of the risk of plague. We'd say "Uh, you know another name for plague is black death, don't you?"I'm sure the person who feed the cute little squirrel said the same thing! That was right before getting bit and heading to the hospital for a rabies shot. It's not worth the risk.
Thanks Paul, at one time some of our horses grazed adjacent to a walking path and during the Spring grass growth we had to keep them on strict diets for their health. We had lots of problems with people who wanted to feed the cute, hungry ponies.It's not worth the risk.
Admire wildlife from a distance unless you have permission from the owner to feed them treats.
-Paul
You are right of course. I don't ever feed treats to horses or other animals that I don't know. I didn't feed the horses on the Camino, I just petted them. I was responding to the person who sounded like he was feeding a horse that he knows on his home turf so to speak, or at least one that he knows and has frequent contact with. We certainly should never feed them anything except maybe a handful of grass pulled from the side of the road where it would be part of their regular diet.Thanks Paul, at one time some of our horses grazed adjacent to a walking path and during the Spring grass growth we had to keep them on strict diets for their health. We had lots of problems with people who wanted to feed the cute, hungry ponies.
I make a point of never feeding other peoples horses but I do stop for a chat and give them a pat and a scratch if I see that they are receptive.
Thank you, btw, my post wasn't meant as any sort of criticism, more general advice for people who don't know horses well. You don't seem to be in that category.You are right of course. I don't ever feed treats to horses or other animals that I don't know. I didn't feed the horses on the Camino, I just petted them. I was responding to the person who sounded like he was feeding a horse that he knows on his home turf so to speak, or at least one that he knows and has frequent contact with. We certainly should never feed them anything except maybe a handful of grass pulled from the side of the road where it would be part of their regular diet.
Ordered a mystery 'pizza cheval' in a bistro in the French Alps many years ago. It took a while to work-out what 'cheval' meant, but we got it eventually...Unfort
Unfortunately I've heard that same thing, too, while on the Camino, and always hoped it was a rumor. If they are raised for meat, whose meat? For human consumption or pet food?
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