One of the fun things we've especially enjoyed during our time on the farm in Guillestre is getting to know and spend a little time with the horses on the farm, something neither of us have ever had any experience of before. These are working horses, usually towing a 'calèche' for passengers at various markets and festivals in the region and at certain times of year helping with the ploughing and farm work as well. We'd actually ridden the calèche ourselves in Mont Dauphin and at the Organic Fair in Embrun. However, in addition to these couple of outings and us helping a little on the farm with taking the horses to pasture on their days, they even managed to find a little time in their schedule to let us try horse riding and cart driving ourselves for the first time as well. We'd never had the opportunity to be close to horse before let alone ride one and to see how the trainer interacted with them and the bond they have was a real privilege to watch and we're really grateful for her offering to let us try ourselves. Here's how we got on....
Esther is first to try her hand at riding.....
Are you sure you haven't done this before? Esther looking cool in the saddle.
Then it's my turn......
I had a little trouble finding the brakes at first....
But managed to stay in the saddle at least.
A couple of weeks later we were offered the chance to join in with a calèche trip along the Durance valley.
And in addition to us humans on board, that's farm dog who came with us for the entire ride as well....
After a little way along the valley Esther is the first to try her hand at the wheel.....
Looking where she's driving this time!
A quick relax in the back of the calèche....
My turn as we start to head for home. Whoa there.....
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