[回顧録]　30年前のカナダ、ワーホリ。乗馬クラブの仕事で知り合った人と馬

I liked the job at a horse riding stable working with the animals. Initially, I thought the job would be somewhat a solitary work, but it turned out to be a very social one especially with horses.

乗馬クラブで動物の世話をする仕事は気に入った。最初は割と孤独な仕事だと思っていたが、特に馬との交流があり、実際は社交的な仕事であることが分かった。

Yojo

回顧録シリーズ、前回からの続きです

馬のそれぞれの性格

There were about 30 horses boarded. As I went around cleaning all the stalls, I interacted with every single horse intimately. Some were affectionate and playful. Some were cautious and nervous. Some were frustrated and aggressive.

そこでは約30頭の馬が居た。全てのストールを掃除するに当たって一頭一頭の馬と親密に交流することになる。愛情深く、遊びたがる馬も居れば、注意深く神経質な馬、欲求不満で攻撃的な馬も居た。

馬が合う、合わない

Naturally, my relationships with each horse were very different. There were horses that I dreaded to deal with. There was one horse who would bite me when my back was turned to him, for example. But there were horses I had a great rapport with. We were happy to see each other every day. Some were so in tune with me I could tell that they were sensing my moods.

そんなわけでそれぞれの馬との関係は全く違うものであった。あまり関わり合いたくない馬も居る。実際、背を向けて見ていない時に噛み付くような馬も居た。でも中には毎日合うのが楽しいような、僕と仲の良い馬も居た。そんな馬たちは僕とは波長が合っており、僕のムードなどを敏感に察知しているのが分かった。

飼い主との関係

After knowing these horses very well and being acquainted with the owners a little, I started noticing the clear correlation between them. You hear about resemblances between dogs and their owners. I think it is especially true for horses and their parents.

馬たちを良く知るようになり、その飼い主の事も少し分かるようになると、馬と飼い主との相関関係が見えてきた。犬と飼い主が似てくるのは良く聞く話だが、馬と人間については特にそうかもしれない。

Bugoo

回顧録シリーズ、次回に続く。知らない言葉はたくさんあった。