Gili Islands | Horseback Riding on Gili Air

Gili Air has no cars - only bicycles, horses, and walking of course.  I’ve noticed a lot of people criticizing the usage of the horses on the island, however when looking at them, they all are well feed, have properly trimmed hooves, are full spirit, and you can tell by looking at their hindquarters that they are not dehydrated.  Horses love to work, and it is not bad for them to be cart horses.  Of course, just using Gigi as an example - the owner was so in love with his horse that I can imagine he would go to no ends to make sure he was healthy and happy.  

When meeting Gigi at the beach, I felt the happiest I’ve felt this entire trip.  My heart was so full, both with the kindness of a stranger as he was washing his horse, and also, filled with my own love for these beautiful creatures.  After he was done washing Gigi and after I rode him bareback in the water for a few minutes, the man brought Gigi back to the beach and they ran about, Gigi crow-hopping and clearly having the time of his life, and of course rolling in the beach sand over and over again. 

In conclusion, I was totally “that horse girl” growing up and in reality, still am.