Riding in Caldera

                               Ms Mare and Mr. Stallion

     We  had to try horseback riding while we're in Boquete.  Actually we went to Caldera, a town about a half an hour from here for some equestrian excitement.  After we mounted up, our guide led us across pasture land, up hills and down the ravines.  It's a good thing we had done some very hilly riding in Costa Rica.  The terrain was very steep in places, and in a couple of places the horses could barely fit through the hilly ravine, let alone us with our legs and stirrups around the horses' tummies.  We had the opportunity to canter and gallop up the hills but it's been a while since I've ridden at that level.  No nose to tail ride was this.

We cantered up a hillside to be confronted by a herd of cows, a mare and her foal, and a stallion.  The stallion took one look at the mare I was riding and let out a loud whinny.  The mare's ears went right up.  I knew love was in the air.  She responded with a loud whinny of her own.  Clearly he was interested and she was willing.  I suspected a potential problem and luckily so did our guide.  He told me to stay close to him, as he shooed the stallion away.  The stallion wasn't going to be deterred.  More whinnying ensued.  I checked the mare's reins, and held on with my knees, nudging her uphill and away.  She was a reluctant steed.

      It wasn't long before Mr. Stallion was calling again, and again the guide chased him away.  Down the other side of the hill we went.  More whinnying.  I looked to my right and galloping over the hill was Mr. Stallion.  I kept going and the guide once again shooed him away.  This time for good.  But I think I heard Ms Mare whinny she'd be back.

My white mare's ears pricked forward when she saw that handsome stallion giving her the whinnies.  He's the brown guy on the left standing next to the lounging cow.