I can’t believe that Sahara’s daughter Kalahari is already eight months old today!

Of all the creatures of Ishtar’s Ark - recently neglected by the person entrusted to see to their wellbeing - Kalahari was the least affected; probably because she still nurses.

I have long since realized that in the near future, it will be next to impossible for us humans to differentiate between Kalahari and her mother Sahara from afar, as the two are becoming almost identical! If I expected horses to inherit half of their traits from their sire, ours have turned out like true copies of their mother. You’d never guess that Kalahari was the daughter of subtle Rio… She is her mother’s daughter all the way through!

Although dominant, Kalahari and her four month old “sister” Isolde (daughter of Arwen) remain the best of friends. The two are not related by blood but believe themselves to be twins and get along well. Kalahari is the natural leader and Isolde the thankful follower, and I have yet to see them fight over anything.

As for Sheba and Kalahari, it will be interesting to see if the strong equine-canine bond of friendship persists after a three month long absence (Sheba has been staying at the Eden Office with her pups).

Sheba will be moving back to the Ark with us (that should be on Saturday!), and I would think that if Sheba and Kalahari get to meet one-on-one, they should be able to find back to the precious friendship they shared during the first half year of Kalahari’s life. As the smallest member of the equine (but by far the most ambitious one!), Kalahari is in need of a flock; and Sheba is in need of an equine protegee (especially when it comes to Kalahari’s mother Sahara, who believes that all “sub-species” must know their place) so I’m sure the two will be expressing their wishes to resume their relationsship.

This picture was taken before we left in June, but it speaks of the horse that Kalahari is growing into. Compared to Isolde (who sported long legs and elegant lines right from the start) Kalahari was the ugl(ier) duckling of the two, growing in length (deepness) before height and developing the same straight back as her mother.

Kalahari 7 months

In recent time, that has all changed, and Kalahari is turning out to be a true princess! I can’t wait to get to meet them again, and am looking forward to this year of watching them grow to their full potential!

Happy 8 months, Kalahari!