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The inhabitants of the Belgium village Oostduinkerke try to save both their living place and a very exotic tradition the cavalry shrimping. But there are not many keepers of this ancient craft because its an unprofitable business.

However horse fishermen are supported with local authorities. The unusual show of the horses walking in sea surf is the best bait for tourists, isnt it?

The horses working breast-deep in salty sea water look pretty strange. At the first moment you just dont believe your eyes. But as far back as hundred years ago the horse shrimping was a usual craft for the northern coast of France, Belgium and Holland, and there are also talks that even in England there were such skilled craftsmen.

Nowadays you can meet these things only in the Belgium village Oostduinkerke. Just here the well-known wooley-legged Brabant shire horses drag a net.

Eddy Deehoulster says: It is needed approximately six months to teach a horse to work in water. When a horse for the first time sees the waves it frightens and often just runs away. Then we bring a skilled one and let it go near to the beginner. This is the way we accustom young stallions to shrimping.

The village Oostoduinkerke has turned into a resort place. The appearance of shrimping cavalry attracts all the resting people in any weather. But for horses this place is not a resort. It becomes clear when you see how these noble animals are splitting salt water. Horses do not like to work the way people often do it. But as they came into the water they are both necessary to work and possible to freshen at the same time. ,Eddy Deehoulster says.

I dont know as for horses but the fishermen go horseback every low tide just for the sake of love towards the ancient craft. The majority of them successfully receive pensions or are engaged in other business. Its impossible to gather wealth with the help of several baskets of fine grey shrimps.

The shrimping cavalry doesnt bring income any more, but the state subsidizes it to save the tradition. And from time to time the fishermen are invited to king. So ten fishermen and ten sea shire horses keep this ancient craft. Here the thing is that fishermen love their horses. Its like the situation with the wife: a good wife and a good horse are for the whole life!- Eddy Deehoulster says.

Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His Travel Offers site is http://www.travelime.com

posted by 64701  # 5:18 AM