Fighting Monkey - No Gun

Maccacco and Hapless Hound

Up at first light to the maniacal and strangled crowing of roosters; this woke up the neighbouring dogs and I thought grimly of the famous fighting monkey, Jacco Macacco. Jacco's 1820's trick in the Westminster Pit involved taking a club to the heads of proto-pit bulls and destroying them, much to the dismay of their unfortunate backers. Macacco met his match in Puss, a savage brute that equalled the vicious monkey's ferocity; they did for each other. But don't misunderstand me, I'm not an advocate of monkey baiting.

Anyway, after getting over vengeful thoughts viz. backyard menagerie, managed to get to the stables, say Morning Prayer and have an equine workout - attempted a flying change and nearly ended up in the air myself - well, pride comes before a fall. Then, after much self-control, just stopped myself from buying a 'comfort gun', namely a nicely sporterised Lee at a reasonable price. Well, it'll be there tomorrow - I hope.

For those interested in unpicking the labourite web of deceit, check out Barking Spider, for a take on recent Anglican goings on have a look at the pretentiously titled 'Quo Vadis Redux'.

God bless,

LSP

Riding Logic

Hugely enjoyable morning's ride practicing "flying changes", which is when a horse changes leads at the canter or gallop without transitioning down to a trot. All very equestrian and, for me, a lot of fun, helped in part by Wilhelm Museler's book, Riding Logic. There's an awful lot to take in but Museler's Teutonic precision is softened by his occasional romanticism. Here's an example, in which the author warns us not to jump horses too young:

"...their legs are tired and they just do not want to jump. These are truly sad creatures, the ones who are victims in their adolescence to man's unthinking vanity and selfishness!"

Again:

"...it must be treated with tolerance or one will turn it into something worse than a dead machine."

So, treat the horses right.

Cheers,

LSP