Viking River Cruises “Passage to Eastern Europe” offers insight into the history as well as contemporary life in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
While in Hungary passengers visit a farm to witness “The Horsemen of the Puszta.” The men train their horses not to be afraid of the crack of the whip which simulates gunfire. The tradition comes from a time when the horses were used in battle. The whip never touches the horse.
The horses are also trained to sit and lay as they once did to hide from the enemies in the tall grass of the Hungarian Plains.
The visit concludes with free time to take a wagon ride, and to visit the barns and paddocks to see the horses close up.
It was a fascinating display of horsemanship and a thrill to watch the riders — and their beautiful horses and adorable donkeys — perform.
