So, I was thinking about that trip I took, the one where I went to see the horses over in Holland. It wasn’t really a big planned vacation or anything. Just something I’d had in my head for ages.
I’d seen pictures, you know, of those big, black Friesian horses. Always thought they looked impressive. Not like the horses I usually saw around. So, I just decided, right, I’m going to actually go and see them for myself. Saved up a bit, nothing crazy.
Booked a cheap flight, found a small guesthouse online, wasn’t aiming for luxury. Rented the smallest car they had at the airport. Felt a bit weird driving on the other side at first, but you get used to it. Headed out towards the countryside, where I figured the farms would be.
Spent a couple of days just driving around, honestly. Lots of flat green fields, canals, windmills here and there. Saw plenty of cows, sheep, and yeah, horses in fields. But I was looking for those specific Friesian ones.
Finally found this place. Wasn’t signposted like a tourist spot. Just a working farm. Pulled up kinda hesitant. A guy came out, looked a bit surprised to see me. My Dutch is non-existent, and his English was okay, but we managed with pointing and simple words.
He had them. In the stables and a few out in a paddock. He let me walk over, get a closer look. Man, they are big up close. Much bigger than you think from photos. Their coats were so black. He let me stand near one while he was grooming it. Didn’t touch it much, didn’t want to be pushy. Just stood there watching. The horse was calm, just watching us back.
I asked, you know, gesturing, if people ride them much. He sort of chuckled. Said these ones were mostly for breeding, showing. Not really for hacking about by amateurs like me. Fair enough. Didn’t push it. It wasn’t about riding anyway, just seeing them properly.
The weather wasn’t the best, typical dutch weather I guess, grey skies and a bit of drizzle most days. Almost turned back on the dirt road to that farm because it was getting muddy. Glad I didn’t.
Wasn’t some life-changing event. Just a few days, saw some horses, drove around. But it stuck with me. Doing that simple thing I’d thought about for so long. Seeing them there, on their home ground, felt right. Solid. Better than just looking at stuff on a screen. It’s funny the things you remember clearly.
