You are being offered the chance of a lifetime to study wild horses in their natural environment with Lucy Rees.
This will be a week long course in Spain at the end of July (27 Jul to 2 Aug). Details below. There are only 11 places available so if you want to take one of them act fast!
Below is an extract from Lucy's description of the horses, where we'll be staying and what we'll be doing.
"Where the horses are is near a place called Olot, Santa Barbara to be exact. It is the front edge of the Pyrenees and absolutely spectacular. There is a huge, traditional old house which they are restoring but it isn't the Hilton. For visitors there is a kind of dormitory which holds 30 easily, but there won't be anyone else there: it's only just starting up. There is a very nice German lady who cooks wonderfully, and all the vegetables come from an organic garden outside the window, so the food is excellent.
You would fly to Barcelona (there is an airport in Girona, which is nearer, but I don't think it does internationals), take a train to girona and we would collect all. Actually i don't kow the exact details of that journey but will find out. Anyway, it would take in all about 3 hours at most from Barcelona. The house is quite remote.
The course would cover the social behaviour and organisation of wild horses, with mention of their relevance to domestic ones.
Much would be observation, especially on communication. We would try our hand on qualitative observation of the type necessary in scientific work. Far too many people see what they want to, and it's not until you count things that you realise what's what. i would like that to come over, and for the people to carry home a little skill that they could apply at home.
The first group of pottokas are all piebald, and the three mares have foaled. The girl there says the stallion is actually quite friendly. However the second group, which are all black, is coming from a place where they are left wild but rounded up and branded etc., so they will not be at all keen on people. Clearly, as the years go on the population will get more "normal" in terms of proportions, but it's early days yet. There will be 2 harems - at least, i hope there will. i don't want one stallion hogging all the mares. How the guys deal with each other will be what people have never seen. Interesting.
i hope this sounds the right sort of thing. It'll be fun..."
Lucy
The cost of the course will be 440 Euros which includes meals and accommodation. Flights to Barcelona and train to Girona will be extra.
Please contact me for more details (bowlouise@hotmail.co.uk) and to reserve your place.
We understand that this is late notice for a course but I'm sure you'll agree this is a fantastic opportunity to further your equine education.
As anyone who has tried to find out anything at all about Lucy Rees will be aware, she lives and works in Spain for the most part and is very difficult to find or get hold of. She has a lot of knowledge to share and this is the opportunity of a life time for anyone who admires her work but needs to know more!