It’s Halloween. Let’s dress up in costume and eat some pumpkin.
10yr old Miniature horse stallion, Saber and 9 1/2 yr old Harlequin Great Dane, Bailey had their portrait at the Petsmart at San Bernardino, California, then went out for some Trick or Treat.
Last year Saber carved a pumpkin with his teeth for Halloween.
I’m not sure if my horses have ever seen a pumpkin. That has to change for this Halloween. Don’t throw away your Halloween carved pumpkins. They can be a great horse treat or toy. Roll a pumpkin out for your horse and see their reaction. Many zoos give pumpkins out to their animals for environmental stimulation.
To coax your horse to try a taste, slather a carved out pumpkin with molasses and stuff it with apple and carrot slices. If your horse is Insulin resistant use sugar-free syrup with timothy hay cubes inside. Even if your horse doesn’t eat the pumpkin, working for enclosed treats makes a good mental stimulation. If they don’t like raw pumpkin, then try smashing up a baked / cooked whole pumpkin including seeds and give as a warm mash. Remember: Everything in moderation! What they don’t eat can be added into the compost pile.
If you are like me, then you are missing most of the Olympics. We can still enjoy this music video of Olympic Three Day Eventing Cross Country competition. I recommend, if your computer can handle it, maximizing the quality to HD and playing on full screen.
“A collection of horses and their riders who made it to the 2012 Olympics from recent competitions in the US. It includes a few internationals and the entire US and Canadian Three-Day Event teams. Crank it up!”
Ginny Howe and Cavort at the Sunken Lane during the cross-country phase of Badminton Horse Trials 2009. Photo by sffubs on Flickr (Creative Commons License)
2. Cross-Country Test The focus of the entire event is on the Cross-Country test, the objective of which is to test the ability of athletes and horses to adpat to different and variable conditions (weather, terrain, obstacles, footing etc…) and jumping ability of the horse, while at the same time demonstrating the rider’s knowledge of pace and the use of his horse. Exceeding the time allowed and refusals result in penalties. All penalties are added together and recorded for inclusion in the final classification. Fall of a horse and/or of a rider entails immediate elimination.
Video length: 13 minutes 33 seconds (can enjoy any small section)
Published on Jul 28, 2012 by buzzterbrown
Buzzterbrown is Lance. He films upper level eventing and jumper shows in USEA Area II with a Lumix GH1 camera. The camera can do lovely clear slo-mo. Lance has a great eye and steady hand for filming.
Horses & riders in order of appearance in the video. They are amazing athletes. The horses really seem to be enjoying their runs.
The good horses love it! When you take them up to the lorry or dress them up [to go to an event], it’s like they’re off going to a party. – British equestrian, Mary King (interview)
FÉDÉRATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE
“The primary mission of the FEI is to advance the orderly growth of equestrian sport worldwide by promoting, regulating and administering humane and sportsmanlike international competition in the traditional equestrian disciplines” – FEI Mission Statement.
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Priefert’s Radar is owned by Priefert Ranch Equipment
What if Radar was a police horse? He’d probably be the biggest police horse in the world.
In 2008 a Belgian gelding named “Priefert’s Radar” was the tallest horse. Radar was born in Iowa in 1998 and grew up to be listed in the Guiness World Record book from 2006 to 2009.
Radar’s even bigger than the horse in this week’s “Just for Grins” video.
Officer Lloyd Douglas, Sgt. Howard Mason, and Sgt. Chal DeCecco use a ladder as a mounting block to ride this large Belgian horse named “Hercules” at the California State Fair in 2008.
Radar’s photos aren’t on the Priefert website anymore, but I’d saved some off years ago using photos of Radar as my desktop wallpaper. Just like Hercules the Police Horse, you would need a 6 foot ladder as a mounting block for Radar.
At 6 feet 7 1/2 inches at top of withers he would just squeeze through an average door frame in height by ducking down his head. Horses are measured in a unit of measurement called a ”hand”, which is 4 inches. This made Radar measured as the tallest horse in 2008 at 19 hands 3 1/2 inches. He weighed in at 2,400 pounds.
“You don’t realize how big they are until you’re holding onto their halter.” – Charles Woods (3)
Priefert’s Radar is owned by Priefert. Radar definitely earned his keep touring the country to promote Priefert products. He travelled up to 30,000 miles a year in an air-conditioned, customized horse trailer with a canine companion called Hoss and his handlers, Guilda and Charles Woods. Every 4 – 6 weeks Radar returned to Mount Pleasant, Texas, the home of Priefert, to take a break from travelling.
Radar could eat 40 pounds of hay, 18 pounds of grain, then wash that down with 20 gallons of water each day.
“He’s our PR horse. He’s been promoted from labor to management, and he’s paid all the grain and feed he wants. It’s just like feeding two or three horses in one feeding.” – Charles Woods (1)
“Radar is really smooth to ride at the walk and slow trot, but the faster he goes, the rougher he gets. Riding him is definitely an experience.” – Guilda Woods (2)
Radar had to “go large or go home” and Priefert retired him when another horse took the World Record. Radar joined another Priefert owned former tallest horse, a black Percheron gelding named Goliath, in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
Radar was honored by Breyer Model horses in 2010 as a Limited Edition. As a horseless child I played with a the plastic Breyer horses instead of dolls, including a family of Palomino draft horses.
Priefert brought Radar out of retirement to attend BreyerFest at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
Radar at Breyerfest 2010 – Photo by Appaloosa on Flickr (Creative Commons License)
I’m glad that Priefert has such beautiful draft horses to promote their products. Priefert makes great horse panels. We have a set of Priefert brown 10 foot utility panels with walk-thru gate as fencing for a paddock area for our two Icelandic horses. The panels are sturdy well made safe and definitely ”worth-the-money” horse panels! I hope I can get to meet Radar someday. It would take 3 of our Icelandics to add up to the weight of Radar.
Priefert has a set of Percheron geldings called “Texas Thunder” that tours.
Photo by Drew Gardner
Reference:
(1) The Salt Lake Tribune “High horse? Radar’s the highest” by Arrin Newton Brunson published September 13, 2006
(2) Ag Weekly ‘World’s tallest horse tours Utah/Idaho’ by Susan Dudasik published July 27, 2007
(3) Rexburg Standard “The World’s Biggest Horse visits Rexburg” by Joseph Law published August 31, 2007
“Somewhere Only We Know” is universal feelings of the special moments bonding with your horse. Natalie and her 16.2h TB gelding were together for 2 years before she had to sell him. Indy is missed, but has a good home.
“He’s finally ‘let me in’. Although he’s always difficult to understand, I think I’ve finally come to trust him. Even if it’s taken this long… sometimes that’s how long it takes. If I could keep him, believe me I would…” – Natalie
I find Natalie’s videos quite poetic. The thoughts Natalie expresses in some of her videos and descriptions reminds me of the feelings that I had with my horses as a teenager. She speaks of nostalgia, as well as accepting loss and change. Life is definitely full of loss and change and memories.
My parents got me my first horses when I was just 13 years old. Those horses kept me busy and out of trouble as a teenager and young adult. I thank my parents for supporting my dream of having horses in my life. Both my parents are now gone and I’m having to accept that I will never see them again. This video touched my heart and brought up a lot of feelings and memories. Those days of youth with my horses and family were some of the best. I make new memories with my horses spending time each day bonding with them and find peace.
Video length: 1 minute 58 seconds
Music: “Somewhere Only We Know” by the band Keane. They are are an English alternative rock band from Battle, East Sussex, formed in 1997.
Uploaded by ilovemagichorse on Sep 10, 2010
(Note: This was originally intended to be published on 07/25/12 for my Wednesday music video, but seems I goofed getting it properly scheduled making a skipped week.)
“Somewhere Only We Know”
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I’m getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you’re gonna let me in
I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I’ve been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I’m getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you’re gonna let me in
I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don’t we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don’t we go
Somewhere only we know?
Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I’m getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you’re gonna let me in
I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don’t we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don’t we go
So why don’t we go
This could be the end of everything
So why don’t we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
This could be the end of everything,
So why don’t we go,
Somewhere only we know,
Somewhere only we know,
Somewhere only we know.
Hungarian National Lipizzaner Stud Farm Szilvásvárad
This is a video clip from “A Bükk fehér sziklái” (“The White Cliffs of Beech”) about the Hungarian National Lipizzaner Stud Farm at Szilvásvárad. The stud’s mission is to maintain the Hungarian Lippizaners.
Four hundred years of selective breeding have made the Lipizzan horse one of Europe’s oldest breeds. They were developed to be a strategic asset by the Habsburg nobility. The breed was created to be a sensible and strong war horse, as well as a royal coach horse, and is noted for a sturdy body, brilliant action and proud carriage. The breed has an intelligent and docile disposition.
Two hundred years ago there were blacks, browns, chestnuts, duns and even piebalds and skewbalds, but a white coat was preferred by the nobility. A grey is born black and has dark skin and eyes. Their coat color slowly changes to grey and then becomes pure white over a period of six to ten years. Most Lipizzaners today are grey with only a very few non-grey bay or black.
The breeding of Lipizzaner horses in Hungary began in the early 1800s. In 1953 the State Stud of Szilvásvárad was established in the Bükk mountains. This area is similar to Lipica where the breed originated. The limestone soil of both areas gives the Lipizzaners sturdy bones, toughness and excellent feet.
There is beautiful cinematography of the Lipizzaners in the Bükk mountains. The director of photography is Pintér András.
Video length: 2 minutes 55 seconds
Music: Excerpt from “Bombay Theme” by AR Rahman
Uploaded by lipicaimenes on Dec 30, 2009
Real life with my horses takes precedence over my blogging hobby. My Wednesday Music video of Maari, the bored Icelandic mare, will serve double purpose and also count towards the Sunday “Just for Grins” this week. Pardon to my disappointed imaginary fans.
Twistur cut his right lower eyelid this week. Probably was late on Thurdsay, but I didn’t fully notice until late on Friday when the eye was showing some inflammation. Thankfully the eye was fine and the lid wasn’t a bad cut. Cannot figure out where this happened, but am really looking and feeling around places he might have rubbed. Twistur was into the vet clinic on Saturday. The vet and assistant prepped the eyelid and put in two sutures to hold the skin together. Prescribed some Bute and antibiotic eye drops. The sutures will be removed in about 10 days. I will write up about our experience in an upcoming post to add to the on-line anecdotal knowledge base on such incidents.
Our two hottest months of the year are underway and Twistur’s hair is longer than necessary. Today is overcast with a bit of a breeze, so it is a perfect day to bathe and clip Twistur.
The intelligent Maari, an Icelandic mare, can get a bit bored when her friendly human can’t come out to play. A large cardboard box taped closed with a few hay cubes inside makes a great puzzle for a bored horse. The other little horse is Toseland, who has a nice roll.
Come out and play with me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krU5cCHPByQ
Video length: 3 minutes 2 seconds
Music: “If I Had a Boat” sung by Lyle Lovett, an American singer-songwriter and actor.
Uploaded by CreekValleyCritters on Sep 26, 2010
The window Maari is peering in is an artist studio. Aud Fischer of Creek Valley Critters is a wonderful artist and sculptor. Her Youtube channel is delightful. She uses clicker training methods and hand rears baby mice.
Have a great Wednesday!
Lyrics
If I had a boat
I’d go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat
If I were Roy Rogers
I’d sure enough be single
I couldn’t bring myself to marrying old Dale
It’d just be me and trigger
We’d go riding through them movies
Then we’d buy a boat and on the sea we’d sail
And if I had a boat
I’d go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat
The mystery masked man was smart
He got himself a Tonto
‘Cause Tonto did the dirty work for free
But Tonto he was smarter
And one day said kemo sabe
Kiss my ass I bought a boat
I’m going out to sea
And if I had a boat
I’d go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat
And if I were like lightning
I wouldn’t need no sneakers
I’d come and go wherever I would please
And I’d scare ’em by the shade tree
And I’d scare ’em by the light pole
But I would not scare my pony on my boat out on the sea
And if I had a boat
I’d go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat
Luna, the Friesian filly, has fun playing in a water trough and gets an unexpected surprise. Luna comes from Herman Hills Farm in Ohio and now lives with Katie and family in MN.
This is so much fun!
Great times!
Do you think the water trough is a bit too close to the electric fence?
Video length: 1 minute 9 seconds
Uploaded by katiekelley0182 on Jul 19, 2009
An Act Of Congress
“Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; (and) that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people …”
(Public Law 92-195, December 15, 1971)
The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a USA federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence on July 4th, 1776. What better way than celebrating with America’s wild horse, the Mustang, a symbol of freedom, the American flag and the American anthem combined.
Sadie, BLM Mustang
The rider is Marietta Roby. The horse is Sadie, a BLM Mustang. Sadie was rescued after being abused by a prior adopter. She was angry and aggressive. She and Marietta have been partners since 2004, since Sadie was about 4.
Uploaded by welcometopemberley on Feb 7, 2010
Music: “Star Spangled Banner” – United States of America national anthem – by Francis Scott Key. Singer is LeAnn Rimes – website.
Video length: 2 minutes 10 seconds
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management protects, manages, and controls wild horses and burros under the authority of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The BLM rounds up horses and burros periodically to manage land resources, then offers them for adoption under strict rules to qualified individuals. After properly caring for an animal for one year, the adopter is eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government. The BLM has placed more than 225,000 wild horses and burros into private ownership since 1971.
There is still a great need to get the word out that Mustangs can make excellent companion riding horses. Even older Mustangs can be trained, if given a chance through adoption. In 2007 the Extreme Mustang Makeover events began. The Mustang Heritage Foundation has facilitated the adoptions of more than 3,300 gentled American Mustangs.
