In the Orenburg Region, there is a ranch which looks like a set of a Western. The owner of all that is Oleg, 48, a local Russian Indian.
He works at a private horse club taking care of its horses. He loves his job which is at the same time his hobby. His life is that of a real American Indian, with a cowboy hat, a bow, a horse and a dog named Fox. His life changed when, in the 70s, he saw the movie ‘Chingachgook, the Great Snake’. After that, he fell in love with American Indians and everything related to them. At age of 10, he went in for equestrian sports, archery and athletics.
Now, he easily hits a pack of cigarettes from a 20-meter distance.
He gave up equestrian sport, which he was rather successful in, because at some point he realized that it had nothing to do with Indians. So did his wife Svetlana. They both exchanged their sporting careers for love and care for horses.
His peace-pipe.
At first, they lived in the city, but then sold their apartment and moved to the country to live in a wooden ranch and to be closer to horses. Their daughter is currently studying economics in Orenburg, but it is obvious that she also has some passion for country life and horses.
What a curious horse! He wants to know what the camera is!
Oleg says that he is against any interference into the nature of horses, such as shoeing or cambing their hair. Also, horses need to communicate with each other and people make big mistakes when they lock them up in a stall. In the club, they tried to make living conditions as close to natural as possible which is reflected in the behaviour of the horses. They look happy and playful.
Oleg and his wife were very happy to learn that Gojko Mitic, the main character from ‘Chingachgook’, was going to visit their ranch.
In the picture: the two Indians shooting a bow.
It surprised Gojko Mitic, 70, that in a faraway Russian region there is a family so interested in Indians and his work.
When Oleg learnt about the upcoming visit of his idol, he purchased this leather saddle for Gojko to leave his autograph on. Gojko was not easy to pursuade to leave his sign because he didn’t want to spoil the expensive saddle.
Oleg emphasises that now it’s priceless and not for sale.
The bow and arrows are made of bones, wood and leather.
They do not train these horses but let them have fun by themselves.
This horse is posing for the camera.
They are greeting Oleg.
It seems like the horses listen to and understand everything of what Oleg says .
Waiting for a carrot.
This cat likes the valuable saddle too.
Fox, the dog. Calm and serious.
It’s not a picture on the wall. This is a view from the window which they never get tired of.
The ranch interior.
This wolf’s skin is a present. Oleg says that he can’t kill an animal.
The peace-pipe is made in such a way that its smoke always goes up.
It’s very difficult to shoot a bow when riding a horse.
It was very difficult for the actor to smoke the peace-pipe in the movie because he’d never smoked before.
Animals living at the ranch love each other and never quarrel.
This owl was found in the forest with a broken wing and now it is also a resident of the ranch.
Location: The Orenburg Region
via anturage.com
What a nice and peaceful living. I also ride horses and in future I try to aim my life to point shown in this article. I definitely want to visit them (when I improve my russian speaking).
Ummm….smoke always goes up (thats for the comment “pipe is designed in such a way that smoke always goes up”)
What tribe of Indian is he supposed to be then? I am 1/4 Cherokee but this guy is not wearing any type of traditional style dress worn by any Native Tribe in the US.
He looks more like a frontiersman than any native.Also many tribes did make use of horses which came from Europeans.True they did not do sports with them but natives did make use of them.
That is not a piece pipe either not ever close.
Guys, you should check and write an article about this guy http://indenai.lt/EN/
He is not from Russia but from Lithuania, however, he is much more into indian culture than Oleg!
It seems Gojko Mitic was enormously popular in USSR and Ostblock, but I do not remember a single movie with him. What I remember is Pierre Brice as Vinnetou and Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand
Indians living with their traditional life style is non-existent in modern day America. The only glimpse of their past is in museums.
I am glad he is able to live as he does. He needs to get in touch with the Lakota tribe and learn that indians can and do enjoy horses.
They were the finest light cavalry in the world and survived to fight another day by avoiding battle with superior numbers. Best likened to plains guerilla fighters, they depended on surprise and speed, rather than on brute strength. It was this tradition translated into rationale that convinced the army leadership that holding the Lakota to fight after once finding them (they seemed to have an uncanny knack of melting away before battle could be joined) would be the difficulty. (On The Rosebud)http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,86190,00.html
“Orenburg is OK”
I came here expecting to see pictures of Putin stuffing a ballot box and all I get is some Russian who thinks he knows what it takes to be a Texas cowboy.
You’re embarrassing our state.
Hey texas1 where is Nicholas II
he loves what he does which is good,, be yourself and enjoy life
It’s good that he and his wife care for horses, but his “Indian” lifestyle is not authentic. No American Indian ever had a recurve bow like his and Indians didn’t have saddles or stirrups.
But, it’s harmless fun, and it looks like he can afford to do whatever he likes.
That’s called freedom.
Indian??? Were is the man’s tribal casino and hazards waste dump???
Being 1/2 Lakota, I find this amusing. Saddles, recurved bows, and that type of pipe are no means Native American. I have met many Europeans traveling to my reservation for our powwows. Usually from Scandinavia. Rosebud Reservation is a beautiful place, but with a broken spirit.
These photos look familiar. I’m absolutely certain i’ve read about Oleg before, most likely here on English Russia.
He looks like a very interesting man, with a passion for life.
Unfortunately, his romanticized version of the N. American Indians has little to do with reality.
I live in Western Canada and there are lots of Cree, Sarcee, and Blackfoot people here. Many of them live in poverty and are struggling to have a decent life.
Gojko Mitic was enormously popular in USSR and Ostblock filmtitle : “Chingachgook die grosse schlange” DEFA film of GDR (east germany)these films the are created of history of indians nativs and not of phantasy by west film:-((