Let me introduce myself: I am Silver, Jenny’s guide horse. I have been working with her for twenty years, so I am familiar with the rides even more than she is. I know that if she is uncertain which trail to take she rides on a loose rein and leaves me to choose which way to go ( l aways get it right, of course). Well, she is very busy at the moment so she has asked me to write her blog for her this time.
I thought I would show you some of the views that I have enjoyed over the last season. Of course Jenny takes the photos but I do the posing! Sometimes my ears are not both pricked: that is because I put one of them back to hear her switch her camera on (I have to know what’s going on behind me). She should wait for a few seconds until I have put my ears forward again. And I do think that she should tidy up my mane a bit before snapping me, after all I am an Arab and I have my pride! Has she never heard of a bridle path?

A couple of local photos first. Here you can see how wonderful the poppies are in May. I'm sorry about my ears being skew-whiff (Jenny's fault).

A couple of local photos first. Here you can see how wonderful the poppies are in May. I’m sorry about my ears being skew-whiff (Jenny’s fault).

An Autumn picture this time, taken near home. You can see it's October as the vineyards have turned colour and my ears are furry (at least she got them right this time).

An Autumn picture this time, taken near home. You can see it’s October as the vineyards have turned colour and my ears are furry (at least she got them right this time).

She takes most of her photos on the Chianti ride as the views are really spectacular. Here we are the first day of our journey, stopping beneath the castle of Cennina and looking back over the Arno valley. Ears satisfactory, mane so-so.

She takes most of her photos on the Chianti ride as the views are really spectacular. Here we are the first day of our journey, stopping beneath the castle of Cennina and looking back over the Arno valley. Ears satisfactory, mane so-so.

 

This is an avenue that we go along on the second day of our journey. The avenue's not bad but my mane and forelock are a disaster.

This is an avenue that we go along on the second day of our journey. The avenue’s not bad but my mane and forelock are a disaster.

Jenny took this picture of me and my daughter Arabis on our rest-day in the Chianti. Arabis insisted on being in the photo, too (women are so vain!).

Jenny took this picture of me and my daughter Arabis on our rest-day in the Chianti. Arabis insisted on being in the photo, too (women are so vain!).

This is a view of the castle of Brolio which we see on the fourth day. Ears fine, mane messy again. Can you NEVER get it right, Jenny? We don't all want to look as dishevelled as you!

This is a view of the castle of Brolio which we see on the fourth day. Ears fine, mane messy again. Can you NEVER get it right, Jenny? We don’t all want to look as dishevelled as you!

Here we are above the castle and village of Montegonzi on our way home. Look at my ears and mane! Words fail me.

Here we are above the castle and village of Montegonzi on our way home. Look at my ears and mane! Words fail me.

Jenny speaking now. Thank you, Silver, for filling in for me. I gather that we must take a mane comb with us next time, though. You call your daughter vain, but what about you?