Weekends over at Isthar’s ark means a good ride in the Zinder bush. Could a Saturday afternoon be spent any better???

The girls are getting ready to go…

…but Illami the stallion is ready and set, as always! Guys don’t take that long to get ready. It’s pretty much “Just get that tack on me and let’s go!”

Traffic training is easy, when there is no traffic to worry about! Worse are the days when traffic is heavy(er) and Isolde is in her contemplating mood, in addition to her normal curious self…

Isolde is fascinated by a minivan filled with sheep destined for Nigeria… “So THAT was where Amadeus went!”

Thankfully, our little herd is one well functioning pack, and where the ladies go, the rest follows!

Once we’ve crossed the main road, there are no more dangers to speak of,

and Isolde is free to explore as she wishes!

Which is quite a lot, of course.

Although there is no reason to go very far away from the rest of the herd…

The presence of a stallion however is not a bonus in eyes of our herd, which is fully controlled by the dominant five year old barb mare Sahara Taurin Kai (which means the Stubborn One, in Hausa…).

Poor Illami wants nothing but to be allowed to mingle with such lovely brunettes (and then perhaps be able to court one of them…?), but the look on Sahara’s face is a serious warning, and Illami has already taken a kick in the side. The kick hurt, but being a true stallion, it has not discouraged him ever so slightly. Which is why Esther and Anette do not allow him to mingle (that) freely with the girls. Although the main reason however is that we simply cannot house another baby at the ark (which would be the ultimate result, after friendship) at this time being, as mentioned in a previous post.

Back to the bush: here we go!

Watch out for thorny branches! But hey - is that Isolde way in the back?

Hey Isolde! Move forward! The herd is moving THIS way!

Ah, much better.

Now someone knows we’re heading for The Bush!

Now this last part (just before we leave the last of Zinder Society and embrace the vast openess) is the part where Isolde gets really restless…

Hey, guys! Pick up some speed, will you?

We’re about to head into The Bush!

Mom! I can’t wait much longer! I want to go NOW!

Well, the good news is neither can we!

…to be continued…