Cat's gone riding: Autan De Gageron

Sadly, i learn today the passing of Chris’s horse, Zac.

Zac was famous amongst Chris’s large circle of friends for its extreme survival tendency which it demonstrated often; although to a lesser degree as years went by thanks to Chris’s adequate handling. His innate behaviour has opened my eyes and even chocked me at times. Don’t take any horses for granted is the lesson i take from meeting this special horse.

My thoughts are for you Chris, in the memory of your much loved Zac.

Chris & Zac

Zac & David pulling a mass

...I left the Transhumance behind me and headed straight to the Camargue.

With an area over 930 sq kms (360 sq miles), it is western Europe's largest river delta. it stands between two rivers, the Petit Rhone and the Grand Rhone. It is a vast plane comprising of brine lagoons, cut off by sandbars and encircled by reed-covered marshes. These are in turn surrounded by a large cultivated area which has been drained for agricultural purposes.

The Little Camargue stands West of the Camargue.
Mosquito heaven!

Approximately a third of the Camargue is either lakes or marshland. the central area around the shoreline of the Etang De Vaccares has been protected as a regional park since 1927, in recognition of its great importance as a heaven for wild birds.

It is home to more than 400 species of birds. Its brine ponds provide one of the few European habitats for flamingos. The marshes are also a prime habitat for the many species of insects, notably and notoriously some of the most ferocious mosquitoes to be found anywhere in France. It is also famous for its rice paddies and salt pans. The Camargue is battered 200 days per year by the Mistral, a strong Northerly wind and from April to October burned by a merciless sun.

Rice paddy in May

Rice ready to be harvested in September/October.

Porteau are rain water ways to irrigate rice paddies.

Reeds are harvested

A traditional Gardian house with a thatch roof

This is a tough and sometimes hostile environment where the black cattle and the white pony thrive.

The Camargue foal is born and raised within the herd in the marshland. At 8 months old, it is weaned, branded and brought back to the mas (the farm) to be more or less handled following the manade's protocol. At 15 months old, it will be released back with the herd and brought back again at 30 months old to be started under saddle. Hopefully, they will be sold at Camargri in February, the reunion of all Camargue breeders. In a nutshell, this is the typical 3 first years of this little rustic horses.

Mares & foals at Manade Mailhan.

Soon I will head back to the UK with all the memories and rich experiences the Camargue has given me. With me Autan De Gageron will be crossing the Channel.

Meet cat's new pony!

Autan De Gageron

Autan is a 3 years old horse born within the Manade Mailhan in Gageron. It has been lightly started under saddle and has been in the bulls half of dozen time of which half with me. It is a bold horse, has some character and will develop to a powerful horse.

It will be delivered directly to my Mentor and good friend David Stuart in Shropshire for training.