I rode in the company of a Swedish lady, Christina, and her Niger boyfriend who travelled with Max and the carriage, driven by Pudg. We had breakfast very early and then set off towards Sirimou, the lovely little Bozo village about 7k. from Djenne, which has featured a few times before on this blog.
There was no stopping Maobi. Although we cantered most of the way, he was not even tired by the time we reached Sirimou, he just neighed enthusiastically and danced around, happy to be out and about, exploring. We returned to Djenne at lunchtime, but he was hardly sweating even, in sharp contrast to me. I think he could have carried on all day!
He is certainly quite unruly, and all Europeans I have spoken to tell me to have him castrated, which is the normal procedure for us of course. But that would simply not do here. For once I do care what people think: Local people who know about horses recognize Maobi to be quite special and they admire him. If I can't handle him that is my problem. There is nothing wrong with him. But I can handle him, goddammit, I can....