Rahaal - The Traveller

Rahaal was born in Libya, when we don't know, but we guessed him to be about 10 when we bought him in May 2006. He was a local Libyan pony, chestnut in colour and full of character. When I say bought, I actually mean swapped! We had needed a pack animal and had purchased a donkey, but soon discovered that she was too slow although very strong. We did what the Libyans call an "Afari" and swapped her for Rahaal, with a little extra payment from us.

When we first saw him, there were 3 or 4 horses to choose from. We looked at him first and I just knew he was the one, so much so that I became rather irritated with Billy for even bothering to look at the others!

He did not have a very illustrious start as one of our horses - the very first thing he did was to chop our good friend Abdallah on the head! Billy started working with him and he soon became a special member of our herd.

He taught Chami everything he knew about foraging for food... Chami would be seen following him everywhere and before he ate anything he would get Rahaal's approval. He allowed Nali to be the youngster that he was, playing with him for hours on end.

He had a tough castration and so we didn't ask him to carry any weight until we reached Egypt. Here he stepped in when Chami got laminits, carrying more than his fair share and Billy!

He was a pleasure to ride, always willing and happy, a real plucky little horse. On arrival in Khartoum, he and the others were struggling with the repercussions of heat stroke from the severe heat wave in the desert. He got laminitis and biliary and despite our best efforts he died in September 2007.

He remains in our hearts and we remember him with love.

Here are some photos of his short time with us...
 

What he looked like when we bought him - Libya

The start of his training - Libya

Look out, here I come - Libya

Shaggy boy with very knotted mane - Libya

First time in the sea - Libya

Training continued - Libya

Helped out by Abdallah - Libya

Tired boy - Libya

Yummy watermelon - Libya

Look what I found - Libya

Good morning! - Egypt

Afternoon Nap with my buddy - Egypt

Settling in - Egypt

Caught in the act! - Egypt

Beautiful boy - Egypt

Get this thing off me! - Egypt

Hurry up with those dates - Egypt

I'm not sure I like this guy - Egypt

Woolly boy! - Egypt

On the road - Egypt

Look how strong I am! - Egypt

Me and my buddies - Egypt

Play time - Egypt

Yes I know I'm cute - Sudan

Rodeo pony - Sudan

Speedy pony - Sudan

Kiss my foot - Sudan

You can't catch me! - Sudan

Desert pony - Sudan

Drinking from the Nile - Sudan

Nile at sunset - Sudan

What you looking at? - Sudan

Oi, that's my water! - Sudan

Chami - The Syrian Man

Chami was born in El Bathan, Tunisia at the F.N.A.R.C (Fondation Nationale D'Amelioration De La Race Chevaline) Stud on 9th February 1998. A beautiful chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail, he was the horse of Christy's dreams! He is a pure Barbe. When he came of age, he was used for breeding until we came along.

Like Ennahali, we first saw him in November 2005, when he pranced around, tail up in the air, dragging his handler along. Christy fell in love immediately and soon he was ours!

He was a bit of a handful in the beginning and certainly kept Christy on her toes but he has settled down into a safe and reliable horse. Unfortunately he seems to attract bad luck and has had more than his fair share of problems. However he is still here with us, happy and healthy.

Having known few other horses he takes time to make friends but once he does he becomes very attached. Nali is his best friend but a lovely little mare called Santana is his first love!

He had no experience of life when we aquired him and it took time for him to learn the simplest things - how to scratch and be scratched by another horse, how to graze, what a carrot was... He now will try most things and loves tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, mangoes, pineapple and sweet potatoes...

Chami, while possibly not the best choice of horse for this journey, is very much loved as a member of our travelling team and family.

The first time we saw Chami!

Just before he was gelded...

In the Almond Orchard...

Beautiful Boy!

That smells funny!

Who me?

I know you just washed me but...

Yee Ha!

Arrival in Sudan!

Sunset on the Nile

Jumping Pony

On the barge in Southern Sudan

My new herd, Uganda

Swimming pony!

Ennahali - The Beekeeper

Ennahali, Nali for short, was born on the 11th March 2000 on a farm in Jandouba, Tunisia. Here he learned to pull a cart at a very young age and his best friend was a black donkey! At the age of 3 he moved to the F.N.A.R.C. (Fondation National D'Amelioration de la Race Chevaline) Stud in El Battan, Tunisia where he was used to breed. He is an Arab Barbe.

When we first saw him in November 2005 he was a weedy little horse, a very dark dappled grey with a roach back. His knees used to buckle when he fell asleep. Despite this we decided to buy him for Billy. He was gelded on 25th November 2005 and has turned into an extremely reliable horse.

Over the years his colour has lightened significantly. He is now a flea-bitten grey. He no longer has a roach back and is solid in both body and temperament. He has taught many people to ride north of the equator and many have fallen in love with him. He is safe and reliable without being boring!

He gets embarrassed by public displays of affection but secretly loves his hugs and kisses! In front of the camera he feels he has to do something... usually chewing on the nearest hand!

His best trick is being ridden and jumped without anything on his head - no bridle, no headcollar, no neck rein.

In the times that his team mates have struggled he has picked up the slack and worked harder. Without him we would not be nearly so far along.

Here are some photos for his fan club!

The first time we saw Nali!

Having a bath the equine way!



If I'm quick maybe nobody will see me running away!



Peek-a-boo!

Sunrise in the Libyan Desert.

Making friends!

Time and place for a snooze!

What can you see?

Nali at the Nile - Egypt.

So this is Sudan huh?



Aren't I beautiful?

 

Look ma - no hands!

I'm trying hard to teach her to swim!

So where are we going then?