A Blessing – James Wright

8 01 2007

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anothereye, originally uploaded by compassionateeye.

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl’s wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

 

Link





Foal tests may define future champion horses

8 01 2007

Dancing Arwen, originally uploaded by marymactavish.

A French study over the last four years has identified nine simple tests on young horses that can determine their likely temperament as an adult.

Each horse can then be directed toward the discipline for which it is best suited.

While there is little doubt that experienced horsemen and women will be able to assess the temperament of their own young horses, the tests are likely to be useful for those needing to assess a young horse they are only meeting for the first time.

Link

The tests essentially measure a horse’s level of fear or reactivity to stimuli, and remind me a bit of the temperament tests administered to dogs.





Have you hugged your vet today?!

8 01 2007

Horse 1 Vet 0, originally uploaded by chuck12600.

 





Do you want to be the one to break it to him?

8 01 2007

Rory and family

From the Brits (always a reliable source of odd equine happenings) comes the story of Rory, a foal rejected by his dam and who now thinks he’s a dog. Apparently he drinks from a dog bowl and will chase frisbees and sticks; staff at the horse sanctuary who raised him are going to try to convince him he’s an equine after all.  Full story





Young boy finds prehistoric horse bones

8 01 2007

Prehistoric horse bones

Gavin Sutler, a boy of 8 from Auburn, California, found some 15 million year-old horse bones in the Nevada desert. Click here to read the full story (and suggest the editors get a proofreader while they’re at it).





Horse rescue photo wins Zilveren Camera award

8 01 2007

Horse rescue photo

AMSTERDAM — Photographer Laurens Aaij was awarded the Zilveren Camera 2006 on Monday, an award that recognises the best news photo from the past year.

He took the winning photo at the end of October in the Friesland village of Marrum, where more than a 100 horses were left stranded by flood waters.

The photo, with a white horse in the centre, was described by the jury as a symbol of hope. “Standing proud amid a muddy misery.”

It was judged the best photo from 9,147 entries.

Link





New games and toys

8 01 2007

Because we all have sooo much spare cash this time of year… 😉

Lucinda Green's Equestrian Challenge

OnlyGamesCreation says: In Lucinda Green’s Equestrian Challenge, you’ll create the perfect horse to be your partner in play, practice and competition. You’ll form strong bonds with your horse as you feed, groom and train to perfect your show skills. The more you train with your horse, the better it will perform as you win your way to prestigious international competitions of Show Jumping, Dressage and Cross Country.

I must confess that in spite of being a technology junkie, most computer and video games bore me witless. If was the sort of person who’d have a PS2 this is the sort of thing I’d want to play, and forget all those boring sports games, zombie shoot-’em-ups, war simulations (double ick) and the like.

Tawny, Barbie Horse Head

I suppose you could practice your French braiding on this surreal pink monstrosity Barbie Horse Styling Head. Look, lots of little pieces to roll under the couch!

What did your horse-mad kids want under the tree this Christmas?





Eventing podcasts

8 01 2007

From The Eventing Blog:

John Nunn, owner of longtime USEA sponsor Bit of Britain, has just launched a new website—The Talking Equine Network, at www.talkingequine.com. This site will host pod casts of Internet radio shows with interviews with top riders, veterinarians, show organizers, and other horsey big wigs from around the USA. The emphasis will be on “English” riding ( I’m hopng that means mostly Eventing!) but much of what is covered will be entertaining and interesting for all types of riders.

The site’s first interview—with David O’Connor, current USEF President and an Olympic gold medallist—will be available January 5. Upcoming guests will include Kim Severson, Stacey Kent DVM, Will Coleman, and Ritch Temple.





16 reasons to date a horseback rider

8 01 2007

Equestrians, do as you’re told, originally uploaded by ricktoomer.

  1. We have 4 speeds and many positions
  2. We wear tight trousers and tall boots
  3. We love getting dirty
  4. We know how to ride our mounts
  5. We perform well with animals
  6. We like to be in control
  7. We’ll ride it for hours
  8. We know how to handle a big girth
  9. We get off easy
  10. We’re always on top
  11. We like it rough
  12. We have our legs spread
  13. We love using whips
  14. Straddling is our natural position
  15. We don’t mind being bucked around
  16. Endurance riders do it longer, cross country riders like it fast, eventers do it three days/three ways, dressage riders like it with precision and elegance, but all riders like a good stalion!

Link








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