h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

He must be mad no breaks or steering!

As one whose approach to horseback riding is to hold on like grim death while chanting, 'Nice horsey, go slow, nice horsey...', I agree.

Western riding? In my experience horses are cleverer than they look, but not immune to a hissy fit especially when they get an inexperienced riding.

I only go on beginner trails when cajoled, but yeah, in the US, we use 'western' saddles. They are not quite as comfortable as howdahs, but close in size.

Western saddles have an ancestral secret, and so do he bridles.

An ancestral secret?

Its a mater of history in short the western saddle and bridal sepecialy the bit are the offspring of the equipment of the medival knight aka the Europen upper classes.
The transition has been fantasticaly succesful owing to the fact that it was so well adapted to the demands and conditions to the newly disccovered lands.
Check and compare the illustrations of the museum exibits with todays western kit, the items are interchangable. The horses are howeverare somewhat lighter than the european heavy armoured horse. My far from rigerous research has not found and work regarding this perhaps unique survival.

Feel free to comment it could be an interesting conversation especialy if it ends up in the post

I never thought of that. I'm sure you're right, though.

I do know that Spanish-heeled boots had a lot to do with riding - I had a history teacher who was insistent on that. I believe the Spanish influenced western riding a lot.

This is the first part of an entry regarding the development of the horse.
The heavey horse being the final section of the entry.

A87904362 The rise and fall and rise again of the Heavy Horse

I like that title. Keep going on that - it's really useful!

Yes Spain and France were very influential, but it has to be noted Europe as a whole developed along the simalar lines. The eastern parts of Europe however were greatly influnced by China. This was a long standing relationship Rome traded with merchants from China.

Russia and Slavic countries? Do you know anything about Romania?

As this entry will grow to 1,000 words plus, as it being written, what about considering spliting this entry into sections for post articles.
Then reassemble as a referance/research entry and put it into the guide, where people can find it.

It might help with guide aricles

Aspecs of Military activity yes a little.

Good idea!

Oh, and remember to send a 'View from My Window' for 26 March.

Dacians the Roman invasion excellent wine, have you an interest

Oh, I meant about the horses.

Yes, I spent a month studying there once, the name 'Gheorgheni' comes from Romania - I studied the language at university in Germany...this was way before the Iron Curtain fell.

While I was there, I even got to see the historical film 'Dacii' - which was hilarious. All the leading history professors worked on it, but they filmed it at Cinecitta, so it pretty much came out as a 'gladiator' movie in the Steve Reeves style. Here's a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU1d7Z88KRo

Hello message received


The Grey Squirrel

Another view from a window cats are asleep that's good as we have a timid animal to look at and they would try and chase it.

An early Spring squirrel he or she was exploring a garden just foraging, what for who knows. I spent some time watching him inspecting every bush that caught his/her eye.
The speed of the inspection was amazing a true acrobat rushing around with only a few stops to inspect each thing of interest.

Take a good look at every animal you try and photograph it helps you to bring out its personality.

The best feature of this squirrel is the fur, it is a fascinating blend of colour, the name grey squirrel dose does not do it any justice, I was surprised.

There is the expected grey fur, however, the undercoat is several shades of brown. there also appears to be black and even a hint of red and blue. The eyes are large and are part of their survival system, there are lots of creatures, who have squirrels on their menus. He eyes and the large ears are their protection system. The long fingers and toes are essential tools of the grey squirrels trade, and they are good at it. The tail is as long as the squirrel's body is like carrying a sleeping bag with you as it does help to keep the grey warm in its dray in the winter.

The Grey Squirrels do not actually belong in the United Kingdom they are immigrants and they have almost ousted the native red squirrels. The loss of the red squirrel is a shame, but there is hope as there is a colony on the Isle of Weight

The photograph was a matter of waiting, every few minutes the grey squirrel pauses to listen and look round. This the best time to take the picture, do not zoom in to close or parts of the squirrel may be out of frame. Always take several shots they seldom sit still, so you might get several different shots.

This photograph was taken in a garden in a busy town so remember to keep a lookout for the next opportunity.


dray = a squirrels nest

Got the mail, thanks!