How are the preparations going? First the pony Luka. I went to horses Jo to help me make Luka water proof. Instead we now are teaching Luka and me to ride horse back. We are making progress. Jo wants me to ride without using hands. Makes me think of that arena I once visited in Portugal. In the arena was a viscious bull. A blindfolded horse entered the arena without reins. The horse man made the horse evade and escape the bull by using only his weight and his legs. Marvellous! I don’t think I’ll get this good. Probably Jo neither thinks I will. The horse becomes more quite, accepts my leadership more, gets quicker on 
the trailer and his shape is growing. Picture of Luka trying to bite and pictures of sweet Luka following me
I still wonder about the hoofs. Do they wear off fast? Before yesterday dog Joep and I walked 22 miles with Luka. Till the end Luka stayed active, so the distance shouldn’t be a problem.
Yesterday, after riding Luka at Jo’s, at 10 P.M. Luka and I, of course with dog Joep, walked 1/2 mile to little river Geul. After some hesitation for the 2nd time in a year, I managed to persuade Luka to walk into the water, bribing Luka with some sweets. I washed him and he liked that. He starts understanding me better, listens better and start trusting me more. Getting better all the time!
And Joep? He is missing a toe of his right front legg. Always after a long trip he cripples a little for a day. I have to try is recently arrived Ruff Wear dog shoes.
And I? After the 22 miles I had e couple blisters, but no aching muscles, so these promises are good too. Only problem is that this training walking takes so much time that a day should be twice as long. This way I don’t learn how my walks will affect the horse hoofs and my hoofs. In 3 weeks my sabbatical year will start and I’ll get more time.
This evening will be the big try out: riding with Marjolein and Jo to little river Gulp.
Next time about the man who want to make a movy of the ponyanddogtrip, about Judith from Mama Alice who called me and about my consideration to plan a sponsor party for Mama Alice
