the incident

The indident


The day is getting warmer as we slowly make our way around the caldera that holds the vast inland lake of Atitland. The Camino is getting smaller and smaller turning eventually into no more than a path. We have been on far worse with a great deal of exposure and the ladies
(our mares) have done splendidly. around the corner we come to a place that navigates down and up in a ravine that is steep and rocky. Genee and I go first and she navigates the eroded path well but loses her purchase on the rocks going up and slides back on her hauches, terrorized she struggles and up on her knees and with great effort recovers. She is scratched but not injured. Next is Exee with my gear. She makes the crossing fine and I tie them up to return to help Glenn. Gaby his saddle horse also makes it without incident and we both return to get Angie across. She is timid and I must give her encouragement from behind while Glenn leads her on. Glenn has removed some of her gear on the bank side so she can pass more easily. In an instant the soil gives way beneath her back feet and she begins to slide over the side into to the ravine below. Her eyes are filled with terror as she attempts to regain but is unable too. Glenn is being dragged over the top with her and I yell to let go. We both watch as she slides then rolls down the side and ends up on the rocks below. She is not moving and we rush down to assess the damage. She does not struggle at all when we begin removing all the gear and akello from her. She lays her head down and closes her eyes. We both wonder just how bad it could be. She is limp and does not respond to any touch. However after about an hour she gets up and seems to have no broken bones. It was with great effort that with Glenn pulling and me pushing from behind that we were able to get her out. Once out and repacked and with a lot of talk we decide to return the way we came and seek another route. Once it is clear that everyone is safe and unharmed both Glenn and myself wept with all the emotional trauma of it. These gentle and trusting animals depend on us and we had let them down. We don't intend for that to happen again.

RL