“The Horsemen: The traditional ‘Rounding of the Mares’ has been with the Almonte horsemen for generations. Over a thousand horses are driven across the plains and through the towns of rural Spain. Being a horseman in Almonte is to live the tradition of our ancestors that has existed for over 500 years, to maintain the balance between nature and man. It is something so rooted inside of us, in our blood, that we are born horsemen and our children are born horsemen. The first thing they want to do is go to the marshlands with their fathers and grandfathers. For us the marshlands, the field, the nature, is a religion, a way of life, an identity. It’s a proud responsibility to because you have to maintain what you love. We are horsemen, living in unity with nature and our values. It is a community and a union, between animal and man. I think for a man, where he has lived, what his elders have passed onto him, if he doesn’t preserve this then life has little meaning.”
I started riding horses when I was three and a half. My adoration for them is pretty limitless. And though this is truly breathtaking, I struggle to watch a horse run (even though I did a cattle run fifteen years ago and if my back could stand it would do it again in a heartbeat). That said, within the context of the traditions of Almonte, this seemed touching and important and spiritual. Great find David. Happy Sunday
I forgot that in your youth, you rode horses. I can imagine how horses touch you. Thanks for sharing Mimi.
Beautiful creatures.
I used to live in Spain so this was such a treat for me ~ to hear his accent, the beauty of the spoken language as I remember my amazing time in Spain. Thank you for sharing.
ahhhh, that must have been very special. Thanks for sharing.
That gaves me chills…it is beautiful.
It was Carolann. I felt the same way.