Peaceful island life

Day: 345-346

Sunrise:
05:16/05:17

Sunset:
21:32/21:30

Total kilometers:
1666

Soil condition:
Grass, rock, stone

Temperature – Day (maximum):
30°C

Temperature – day (minimum):
26 °C

Temperature – Night:
12 °C

Latitude:
50°05’328”

Longitude:
100°02’174”

Maximum height:
1700 m above sea level

As expected, we were not discovered by the thieves. We sleep in to regenerate our tired bodies. After the last few days, they really need it. The horses are also lying around apathetically, dozing in the sun. “We should take a rest day,” I suggest. “Good idea,” Tanja agrees.

After a smooth, peaceful day, we decide to stay here tomorrow. Because Naraa has developed a bad saddle sores, a wise decision. Sar’s back doesn’t look much better. We now know that the saddles do not fit. Another challenge for which we have not yet found a solution. “Maybe we’ll have to buy new saddles in Mörön and sell our German saddles,” Tanja ponders. “Buying is certainly no problem as long as we put the money on the table, but selling might not be so easy,” I reply, disinfecting Naraa’s wound and applying a healing ointment. “Maybe the rest days will help them,” hopes Tanja.

Apart from the injuries to the horses, which are a burden to us, we have a carefree time on our island. In the late afternoon, Tuya usually races back and forth like a madman. His leaps and pirouettes are circus-worthy. He loves to jump on Tenger, Bor, Sar and Sharga, biting them in the legs or sometimes in the cheeks until their fur stretches out. Then he sniffs Mogi, who now has great respect for him. After Mogi hardly reacts or sometimes crawls a little to the side, Tuya steps after him. Let’s see how the strange creature reacts. Mogi then usually gets angry and barks at the little horse. Unimpressed, Mogi would like to kick it again, but we intervene to avoid an escalation. Tuya cheekily enters the awning, sticks his head in bags and pockets, scratches his neck on tent cords and often tears the canopy. In order to have enough energy for his pranks, he sucks on Naraa’s teats all the time. “No wonder she hardly puts on any weight,” laughs Tanja. “Well, in return, the little one is getting stronger and stronger,” I reply, also laughing. Tuya, who doesn’t yet know how to organize his strength, suddenly stops bolting around, lies down lengthwise on the grass and sleeps. Tanja loves her foal more than anything. Sometimes she just lies down with him. Tuya rests his already large head in the crook of her arm and seems to enjoy the affection.

In the evening we are discovered by two anglers. Father and son are sitting on the opposite bank when Tanja steps out of the shelter of the bushes to fetch water from the river. “Doesn’t mean they’re in league with thieves and will give away our hiding place,” I reassure Tanja. Nevertheless, the feeling of insecurity returns that night. We listen into the darkness for any sound, but apart from the snorting of the horses, the rushing of the river and the call of a few night birds, nothing can be heard.

We look forward to your comments!