Piovano in China

A five-years long journey in China, 1900-1905

Friday, August 18, 2006

A horse called Falstaff

When I was in Peking I had a horse called Falstaff.
He was a superb Arabian horse. An elegant black stallion with a little white star on his forehead. I purchased him August the 31st 1901 for 52 Lire. A little investment for me. The Arabian black horses are very rare and Falstaff was very aware of his importance and uniqueness. He was an horse with a strong personality and really often stubborn. In the hippodrome of the Italian Barrack of Huang Tsun it was possible to make was possible make obstacles courses and competitions and his agility gave me an enormous advantage on jumper courses with obstacles that required a great power. In China was very difficult find a good horse. Yes, there were several horses markets but Chinese horses were very strong but ugly, stumpy, used for works perhaps Mongolian horses are a little better. Mongolian horses have great working ability and a great physical resistance. Less elegant than Arabian horses, but very clever. Falstaff had accompanied me in several trips and I took several photos of him. He was very happy to make me happy. A very good friend.