The Shade Horse

Donkey, sheep and a horse at Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Spain, 13 Sept 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

29 September 2024

On our WINGS Spain in Autumn birding tour we visited Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales on 13 September to see the birds and habitats of the cork tree forest. Spain’s Natural Parks allow grazing so we often saw cattle but when we stopped at Mirador Puerto de Ojén (Ojén Pass viewpoint) we found a donkey, several sheep and a chestnut horse.

It was hot. Most of the animals huddled in the shade cast by the Natural Park sign. Those who couldn’t fit their bodies into that crowded spot hung their heads in it. But the chestnut horse stoically stood in the sun. One sheep lay beneath it.

Sheep sleeps in the shade cast by The Shade Horse, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Spain, 13 Sept 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

As we walked around scanning the sky for birds, the sign-shade sheep walked over to the horse and tried to fit into its shadow. There was only enough shade for their heads.

All the sheep try to fit into the shade cast by The Shade Horse in Spain, 13 Sept 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

The Shade Horse walked away and the extra sheep were out of luck. The companion sheep moved with the horse, constantly in his shadow. “We’re going to eat?” asked the sheep. “Fine. There’s something here in your shadow.”