The WildHorse Blogsite

Horses - Seattle Slew

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

In the short list of triple crown winners, this horse had to be one of the biggest bargains in racing history. We’re referring to the puzzle of a wonder, Seattle Slew.

The story of this horse is just another reminder of how weird the sport of horse racing can be and how unpredictable it can also be. All over the racing industry millionaires were spending small fortunes trying to breed the best horses they could in the hopes of coming away with a winner. While this mad spending was going on a few friends got together and spent $17,500 to buy Seattle Slew when he was just one year old. You wouldn’t think that kind of money would get you much of anything. But these friends saw their investment go on to become a triple crown winner and also go on to be one of the greatest horses in the 20th century.

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Seattle Slew was the son of Bold Reasoning.

Again, once Seattle Slew hit three years of age, his trainer took things slow with him, not starting him in his first race as a three year old until March 9, 1977. That race was in Hialeah where he won by nine lengths. On March 26 he then won again at the Flamingo Stakes by four lengths.

Finally, he won the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 23 by 3 and 1/4 lengths.ng and My Charmer. The horse was brought along very slowly in his career by a young trainer named

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

William H. Turner. He was the oldest horse in history to make his two year old maiden race which was on September 20, 1976 at Belmont Park. Out of twelve horses in the field, he went off as a 2.6 to 1 favorite. He took the lead quickly and won the race by five lengths.

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

Oddly, Seattle Slew started just two more races as a two year old. He won an allowance race on October 5 and then won the Champagne Stakes eleven days later by a whopping 9 and 3/4 lengths. After that race people were already talking about whether or not he would be the next triple crown winner in just 4 years since Secretariat in 1973.

By the time the Kentucky Derby came around on May 7, because of his past performances, Seattle Slew was the overwhelming favorite to win going off at 1 to 2. Ironically, the race was nearly a disaster for Slew when he swerved and was sharply taken by the jockey. He was allowed to take an early lead because of this but that resulted in him tiring down the stretch that became a 3 horse race. Slew did manage to hang on and win by 1 and 3/4 lengths.

At the Preakness, two weeks later, things were very similar to the Derby as Slew was involved in a real horse race but managed to hang on to win by 1 and 1/2 lengths. At this time people were starting to worry that he would fall short in the Belmont. But Slew didn’t disappoint. The Belmont was a completely different story and Slew went on to win by four lengths.

The victory made him not only the 10th triple crown winner but the first undefeated triple crown winner. Slew finally retired at the end of the 1978 season.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Horses - Citation

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

In this article we’re going to briefly go over the career of one of the most famous horses in racing history, Citation.

If you look past the losses that Citation sustained at the end of his career, this has to have been one of the greatest horses in racing history if you simply look at his accomplishments. Citation was a horse that was not only blessed with blinding speed but with great staying power. The horse just never tired. Add to that a killer instinct that literally willed him past the other horses and this horse was almost unbeatable until he just got too old to do it anymore.

Over the course of Citation’s career there were many changes. After the patriarch of Calumet Farms, Warren Wright, died, trainer Ben Jones started to hand over more responsibility of handling Citation to his son Jimmy. He ultimately took this horse to a place where no other horse had been to that time; retiring as a millionaire in 1951. Unfortunately, the losses he sustained in the last 2 years of his career greatly diminished what he had accomplished in the eyes of others.

The truth is, racing was never easy for Citation in spite of his natural talent. Injuries kept him completely out of the 1949 racing season. To compound matters, Warren Wright’s dying wish that Citation retire a millionaire kept this horse racing into his sixth year when most other horses would have already been long retired. In spite of all this, Citation somehow managed to shake off the defeats late in his career and win his final three races, something nobody expected him to be able to do. His final victory was the Hollywood Gold Cup, which was the race that put him over the million dollar earnings bracket, the only horse to ever reach this plateau.

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Warren Wright was actually more responsible for the great horse that Citation became than anyone realizes. It was his choosing to breed Bull Lea, a less than successful triple crown winner, and Hydroplane II, a horse he purchased from Lord Derby in the spring of 1941. Obviously, this pairing was a work of pure genius on Wright’s part.

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Citation’s career began in 1945 with great fanfare. By the time he reached his 3 year old season in 1947 he was honored as racing’s Horse Of The Year. That year he won the Flamingo Stakes and Everglades Handicap and he was on a seven race winning streak.

But the pinnacle of that year was when Citation won the triple crown, winning the Kentucky Derby by 3 1/2 lengths, the Preakness by 5 1/2 lengths and the Belmont Stakes by an amazing 11 lengths. With that victory, Citation became racing’s 8th triple crown winner.

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

But he wasn’t through. Citation won 9 more starts in 1948. By the time his 3 year old career had ended Citation had won 27 races and came in 2nd twice in 29 races.

Citation died on August 8, 1970, at the age of 25. He was truly one of the greatest.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Horses - Breeds, A To Z

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

A horse is a horse of course of course. Right? Well, not exactly. There are more breeds of horses than Carter has liver pills. We’re just going to touch on a few examples here, otherwise we’re going to need a book about 2000 pages long.

For example, and we’ll just start with the letter A, there is the Australian Stock Horse. This is one of those horses that arose from selective breeding due to the demands of the environment. The history of this breed actually began in 1788. When the first breed of horses was brought to Eastern Australia by the First Fleet. These horses were of mixed English Thoroughbred and Spanish stock and they were hardy enough horses that they were a perfect choice for the cavalry.

Moving along to the letter B, we have the Basotho Pony. This horse is found only in Lesotho, which is in South Africa. The horse is used almost exclusively for riding. The breed itself was developed sometime after 1825 from the Cape Horse. By the start of the 20th century this breed almost completely disappeared due to exporting of the horses and cross breeding with Arab and Thoroughbred horses. Fortunately, during the later part of the 20th century, a society was formed to revive the breed.

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/
disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

One of the most famous breed of horses starting with the letter C is the Clydesdale. This horse was developed in a district of Scotland. It is a heavy draft horse breed. The breed itself was developed by farmers in Lanarkshire, which is the old name for Clydesdale. This horse was mainly bred to meet the agricultural needs of farmers. The Clydesdale is a real work horse. Make no mistake about that.

The letter D gives us the Dartmoor Pony. This horse is one of nine breeds that are specific to the British Isles. This particular breed comes from a barren moorland called Dartmoor, which is located in Devon, England. These are very old horses which go all the way back to the reign of King Henry I. Today, Dartmoor Ponies are found all over Great Britain as well as countries like France, Sweden and Germany.

Moving along to the letter E, we have the Eriskay Pony. This particular pony is the only surviving variety of the Hebridean pony. It is found on the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland. Today this particular breed of pony is almost extinct. Recent DNA testing of these animals show that they are of very ancient origin. These horses are mostly used for transportation and common chores such as pulling carts and even taking children to school.

And in case you are wondering, yes there are breeds of horses that begin with the letter Z. One of them is the Zaniskari Pony, which is found in Northern India. This particular breed is what is called a riding and pack breed.

Yes, there are more breeds of horse than you can possibly imagine. If you’re interested in doing more research on these animals you can do so by going to http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/Horses-w.htm. You’ll have enough to read to keep you busy for many years to come.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Farrier: Working With Horses

Make Easy Money From Losing Horses! How To Make Consistent Profits From Laying Horses.

If you enjoy working with horses and are strong, then being a farrier just might be for you!

According to the Farrier’s Act 1975, the definition of a farrier is “any work in connection with the preparation or treatment of the foot of a horse for the immediate reception of a shoe thereon, the fitting by nailing or otherwise of such a shoe to the foot or the finishing off of such work to the foot.”

The craft is an ancient one, possibly practiced as long ago as during the time of the Roman Empire.

To become a farrier, you must attend one of the many schools offering classes in the craft. A wise idea, although not required, is an apprenticeship after graduation. This lends itself to hands on skills while under the watchful eye of an experienced farrier.

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A farrier’s work consists of checking a horse’s leg, foot and hoof, cutting away any excess hoof growth and ensure that the horse is balanced. Selection of the appropriate shoe relies on the horse’s size, foot condition and whatever work or activity the horse is involved in. Next, adjust the shape of the shoe using an anvil and hammer. Then affix the shoe to the hoof.

There are few considerations you should take into account if you feel this is the career path for you. You must enjoy working with horses and know how to handle them. Some

horses don’t like their feet handled and can be difficult to work with. Good manual skills and hand-eye coordination are a must. You do want to hit the nail rather than your fingers! Physical strength and stamina are givens. The horses you may work with can be upwards of two tons! You’ll need to possess good communication skills so that you can work well with the horse owners, and veterinarians as well.
Farriers are often self-employed and, as a result, will need to posses a few more skills. You must be willing to travel. You will be taking your business to the horse owners. This means driving to farms, ranches and private owners, all of whom many be quite a distance apart. Organizing appointments and keeping accurate records of things such as expenses, p

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

ayments and other accounts is essential.

Hours rely on the horse owner’s schedule. Likely, you will be working days and often, on weekends. Earnings reflect your area and how much you choose to charge. Keep in mind costs of equipment and travel expenses when you set your fees.

Being a farrier is a physically demanding job. You may be asked to shoe one or many horses at any given time, not to mention time spent on the road between appointments. A lot of bending and lifting is involved and, of course, be ready for problem horses!

As a farrier, you must keep the horse’s welfare in mind first and treat the animal humanely and respect. Maintain and build upon your knowledge of your craft. Good customer relations is essential for repeat business and can earn you recommendations for future clients. Be honest and trustworthy. Always handle any complaints in a timely manner. You are your own public relations person and your work is your best advertisement!
Being a farrier is demanding but rewarding work. If working with horses is what you’d like to do, this career path is one to be considered

Nikola lives and writes in Oklahoma. She is involved with the local Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni and Volunteers in Policing. She enjoys reading, acrapbooking and spending time with her two dogs. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Facsimile.Com/ which is a site for Fax Machines.

Draft (Draught) Horses - The Clydesdale

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History

This heavy draft horse traces its roots to the early 19th century in the Lanarkshire (formerly Clydesdale) district of Scotland. There was a strong need for this large horse not only in the agricultural area but in the commerce area as well. The horses were used in the coalfields of Lanarkshire and for hauling wagons in the streets of Glasgow.

To achieve the desired traits of a horse with a longer stride and larger feet, that were necessary on draft horses who worked on the soft soils of the Scottish lands, English and Belgian stallions were imported and bred with the smaller local mares. The result was the founding line of the modern-day Clydesdales.

The breed’s reputation grew to the point that Scottish breeders began exporting them to Australia, New

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Today the Clydesdale is almost exclusively the only draft breed in its native Scotland, and is still favored in the other four countries as well.

In fact there is one very large and popular brewery in the United States which uses Clydesdales, exclusively, for pulling replicas of its original beer wagon in parades and at special events around the country. They make these magnificent animals available for one to go into their temporary stables and actually walk up to the horses for a close-up view. The horses are sort of goodwill ambassadors for their company. And darn good ones too, one might say.

Description and Conformation

Today’s Clydesdale typically weighs in from 1600 to 2000 pounds (113.6 to 142 stones). He stands 16 to 19 hands (162.5 to 193 cm., or 64 to 76 in.) at the shoulder. While this is larger than the original Scottish horse, today’s breeders have retained the large feet, the sound legs, and the distinctive looks of the ancestral Clydesdales. The colors of the coats are very vivid, the face is usually white, and the most popular trait for a performing team of these magnificent horses is four white socks which reach the knees. The legs are usually “feathered” in white hair from the knees down, and the most common color is a bright bay. Once can, however, still see Clydesdales in black, brown, and chestnut. And those are perfectly acceptable for registration as purebreds.

The overall take on this breed is that of a thoroughly well-built horse which is full of strength and activity. They naturally hold their heads high and seem very proud, almost aristocratic. One can see the strength, agility, and docility in their stance even while they are stationary. And once seen in action the Clydesdales leave an even more lasting, and awe inspiring, impression!

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses
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Draft (Draught) Horses - The American Cream

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

History

This breed is the only draft breed to originate in the United States. The granddam of the line was a draft mare (Old Granny) who was the first registered American Cream. She was purchased at an auction in Iowa in 1911. Her foaling date was estimated between 1900 and 1905. After her purchase she went on to foal numerous cream colored colts, which invariably sold for above average prices.

Nelson’s Buck, owned by the Nelson Bros. of Jewell, Iowa, is considered the progenitor of the breed. His only registered offspring was a cream colt named Yancy, whose dam was a black Percheron. Yancy would sire Knox 1st in 1926 and Knox 1st would sire Silver Lace.

Silver Lace is listed as the most influential stallion to the American Cream breed. He was born of a light sorrel Belgian mare in 1931. His owner hired him out for stud services from early spring until the end of November. His fee was $15 and was not due until the colt stood and nursed for the first time. He sired many colts during his seven years as a stud. He died, mysteriously, in 1939.

One very outstanding characteristic of the American Cream is its good disposition. This is an important trait if one desires to team a pair of them for pulling and showing. It’s also very trustworthy. And because there is uniformity in color and conformation it’s very easy to match teams which look great, and work t

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

ogether very well.

Another Iowa resident became interested in the breed and bought as many of Silver Lace’s progeny as he could find for sale. With the help of the horses’ owners, he began to carefully record the ancestry of each horse.

C.T. Rierson, that Iowa resident, is responsible for the name of the breed, and for being the driving force behind the breed being recognized by the state of Iowa as having originated there.

Description and Conformation

The ideal characteristics for the American Cream Draft is the distinct medium cream color, a solid white mane and tail, amber eyes, and pink skin. The modern mare weighs between 1600 and 1800 pounds (113.6 to 127.8 stones). Stallions may weigh in at 2000 pounds (142 stones) or more. The heights range from 15.1 to 16.3 hands (a hand is four inches. This means the height, at the shoulder, is 60.4 to 65.2 inches or 153.4 to 165.6 centimeters), making them of average height for a draft horse.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Horses
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Draft (Draught) Horses - Friesians and Gypsy Cobs

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Friesians

Brief History

This draft breed is rooted in Friesland, Northwestern Europe, which is now a part of the Netherlands. The original stock was descended from the order of Equus robustus (the big horse). In the 16th and 17th centuries, Andalusian lineage was introduced to the bloodline in the form of Spanish stallions which were abandoned on the battlefield during the war between the Spanish and the Dutch. This new blood endowed the Friesian line with higher knee action, smaller heads, and arching necks.

Description and Characteristics

The Friesian is one of the smaller draft horses, in stature and weight. In order for Friesians to be deemed purebred, and allowed to be used for breeding stock for a purebred line, they must be at least 14.3 hands (57.2 in., or 145.3 cm.) at the shoulder. And the subject must be solid black with no white markings on the legs or body. The typical height is 15.3 to 16.1 hands (155.4 to 163.6 cm., or 61.2 to 64.4 in.). The Friesian is heavily boned, and the adult averages about 1300 pounds (92.3 stones). This breed appears to be short and stocky. The thick manes and tails, and abundant fetlock hair are traditionally allowed to remain full and natural. The Friesian has a good temperament and is sensible but lively. The breed can be used for pulling, or for saddle riding. And while Friesians have the normal gaits - walk, trot, and canter - long tradition has emphasized the “big” trot which is typical of the breed.

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Gypsy Cob

History

This small draft horse traces its roots to the Romanys, who had no need for the larger drafts. For almost 100 years the Romany people, or Gypsies, have bred the cob to pull their traditional carts and “mobile homes” throughout the country lanes of Ireland and England. And although many of the “Travelers” - as the ones who move about the country are called - have changed to more modern conveyances, there are still those who cling to the traditional mode of travel.

Even though many people of the Romany heritage no longer travel, they continue to breed these colorful horses as a way of keeping tradition alive. As long ago the modern Gypsy’s wealth is still, in a large part, measured by the size and quality of his horse herd.

Description and Conformation

The Gypsy Cob has no one specific color. The most common are pinto patterned, piebald, and skewbald. They are small, in that they traditionally stand 13 to 15.2 hands (52 to 60.8 in., or 132 to 154 cm.) at the shoulder. They are compact, yet sturdy and durable. Their stamina allows them to pull a loaded “living wagon”, at a steady trot, all day long.

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

In order to be classified as a traditional Gypsy horse, they must have an abundance of hair and feathering. The feathering starts at the knee and grows all over the bottom half of the leg to the hoof.

The Gypsy Cob has been bred for a particular type for years, but can trace their ancestral roots back to Clydesdales, Shires, Friesians, and Irish Drafts as well a Connemara, Dales, and Fell ponies. This horse is typically known to be very sound and sane, a faithful companion, and to possess incredible versatility.

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 Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses

Dogs, Cats, Horses…We Love Them All!

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

We have a long history with domesticated animals and even the nay Sayers can’t deny their roll in society past and present.

There is evidence that as long as 10,000 years ago the Native Americans had domesticated dogs as depicted in early rock paintings. Apparently, the dogs in the painting look remarkably like the Carolina dogs of today.

It has been well documented that dogs and horses of past have been bred to assist us in various ways whether it be pack dog, work horse, hunter or herder. There is no doubt that they have value and have contributed to society in many ways.

The cat however is a very interesting animal indeed. I have yet to see a cat that can herd, or help with the hunt or carry supplies on their backs for us. The cat is strictly a companion to us, that is if they decide to allow you to be graced with their presence. Most cats still have that strong hunting urge as evidenced by your cats offering of that bird he just caught or mouse he brings to you. Most cats get attached to an area that they claim as their own. Some cats get very attached to the people who love them but as a general rule I think the cat feels he is the one who rules and he is allowing you to care for him. Still, we love them.

Horses are a special breed and have a tremendous ability to assist us in ways as only the horse can. Horses have been our mode of transportation much longer than our current ways of getting around. They are to me of such beauty, grace, and power and I always think of them in that way much more than an animal that works for us. They are spectacular.

Dogs however are by far the most domesticated of all animals. They not only help us but they are so genuinely attached to people and their antics are a constant source of pleasure to us. Just look at children or elderly people in an old folks home. If a child finds a stray dog they will surely beg you to allow them to keep the dog. If you take a dog into an old folks home you can see the dog respond happily around them and the smiles on peoples faces are a joy to see.

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

I had a Springer Spaniel when I was younger and he was the funniest, most easy- going dog around. He was unusual in that he had a very special relationship with our guinea pig. We had the best time watching these two at play. It was the same every day. The guinea pig would wait at the hallway entrance and would stay there until the dog noticed. Then the chase was on! The dog would bark and chase him all the way down the hall. The guinea pig at the last minute would veer to the left and run into the bedroom and go under the bed. The dog was big and somewhat clumsy and would never be able to slow down in time and he’d crash into the wall, get up and then go put his nose under the bed and bark. They would do this four or five times in a row and then curl up together and sleep. Those two made us laugh. It was great!

We love our animals, as it should be. Be kind and take well care of them.

Willie Jones

Willie is a freelance writer, researcher, floral designer, and artist. Thanks very much for reading this far. Please come and visit us at: http://www.artinspires.com/for an inspirational poster or two

“Make sure you enroll in the free motivational poster drawing. All winners receive a free framed print.”

Draft (Draught) Horses - Percherons

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent
/disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

History

Although the exact origins of the Percheron have been lost over the years, there are several different beliefs about their roots. There are those who believe that this large draft horse is descended from the original horses of the Ice Age. Still others think that it’s closely related to the Boulonnais horse that the Romans used to invade Brittany. And a third group maintains that the horse is from a herd of Arabians, or some of the horses used by the Moors during the battle of Poitiers. Whatever one chooses to believe, the consensus among all is that the Percheron can be traced to Normandy at an area called La Perche. Once again, a draft breed has at its roots the Belgian-Flemish blood.

While modern-day Percherons are notable for their heavy draft work, during the 8th century the heavier native and cob stock were crossbred with Arabians and other Oriental horses. The Percheron produced by this breeding made the horses more suitable for riding and lighter draft work. As time passed, the use of a Percheron as a carriage horse developed into the more practical need as a heavier draft animal. The smaller-boned breed of the late 1800s was crossed with the heavier mares of Brittany, resulting in the stockier Percheron that is most familiar today.

Horses 101: The Complete Guide to Buying & Caring for Your Horse This ebook is full of vital information that every horseowner should have. It covers everything from buying a horse to feeding and more.

Description and Conformation

The preferred Percherons are black or grey but browns, sorrels, and bays are acceptable for registration. Due to the Oriental-type blood throughout their history, while a heavy horse, the elegance of the heritage shows. The Percheron is not as choppy in its movements as other heavy draft horses tend to be. The head is ideally medium sized, has a lean, clean cut, and a broad width between the eyes. While the chest is deep and wide, the shoulders of the Percheron should not stand out prominently, as they tend to do on other drafts. The back is straight and strong in proportion to the neck length and shoulder height.

Today’s average Percheron measures 17 to 18 hands (68 to 72 in., or 173 to 183 cm.) at the shoulder. Mature Percherons can weigh from 1600 pounds (113.6 stones) up to, and in excess of, 2400 pounds (170.4 stones).

Tip! Learn to be Open Minded - Every horse is different and will have to be handled differently. A good horseman never stops learning, even experts and trainers will admit that they learn something new everyday from their horses.

This breed of draft horse has been acclaimed as being very adaptable in any environment And it is characterized by a long smooth stride which shows determination and willingness. It is also known for its intelligence, affable temperament, willingness to work, and reputation for ease of handling.

Draft (Draught) Horses - The Shire

The last of six articles about Draft (Draught) Horses, this one is about the Shire, and English draft horse which can be traced back as far as the Roman Conquest.

History

The Shire, an English draft horse, can be traced back to the days of the Roman Conquest. The horse has been depicted in paintings, as far back as the 15th century, in full war regalia. There are those who do not doubt that this heavy draft was used by knights in battle. Others, however, do not share this belief. In any event, once the tournaments and heavily armored knights passed into history, the ancestors of the Shire were put to use pulling wagons on the roads and ploughs in the fields. It soon became the largest and most powerful horse in Britain. Still today, brewers in English cities use the Shire to pull beer wagons and, they are used for weight-pulling and ploughing competitions.

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

Although the Shire was found and developed throughout England, what is know today as the Midlands (Lincoln, Huntington, Derby, Norfolk, Leicester, Cambridge, and Norfolk shires) were where the highest concentration of this draft could be found. As with other draft horses, the Shire bloodline was improved with the mixture of other breeds throughout history. There are relatively accurate records, which date back about 1000 years, that show when the Belgian and Flanders breeds were crossed with the Shire.

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The Shire was first imported to America in 1853. In the early 1900s it seemed that the Shire might overshadow the Percheron as America’s favored draft horse. However, the Percheron prevailed.

Description and Conformation

The typical colors for the modern Shire includes grey, brown, bay, and black. There is the occasional white, but it is a rarity. The mature stallion stand 16.2 to 17.2 hands (165 to 175 cm., or 65 to 69 in.) at the shoulder and weighs up to 2200 pounds (156 stones). The mares and geldings are slightly smaller.

This draft has the convex, or “Roman”, nose. Its eyes are large, wide-spread, and intelligently expressive. The shoulders are large and prominent. The body is relatively thick. And the legs are long with a good deal of feathering around the feet.

 Author: Michael Russell
 Your Independent guide to Horses

Cats, Dogs, Horses - Companion Animals’ Importance to Humans

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

While humans are unique in all creation in our awareness of self, of time and mortality, and of our responsibility to care for the rest of Creation, companion animals have a place of special importance. Although humans have befriended, benefited, and been benefited by many and varied species over the generations, cats, dogs, and horses stand out in their ability to bond with humans.

A brief history of the domestication of cats

Some experts think the cat was first tamed by 3500 BC. The ancient Egyptians were the first people to keep cats as pets; they also worshipped cats as gods. The goddess Bastet, daughter of the sun god Ra, had a cat’s head. The Egyptians loved and worshipped her, and so loved cats. Deceased cats were mummified and given the same kind of burial as human family members.

The ancient Romans, in the conquest of Egypt, brought cats home to Europe.

After a period of disfavor during the superstitious Middle Ages, cats were restored to hero status: when rats from Asia brought the Black Plague to Europe, people who had kept cats survived, for their cats killed the rats. Soon cats became protected by law.

Tip! There are a lot of similarities between training young horses and young children; the fundamental difference is about 1200 pounds. As anyone who has raised young children can attest, a 30 pound child can drive an adult out of their minds on a bad day and factor in the additional size of a young horse and you will have a sense of the challenges that can arise when working young, green-broke stock.

In Victorian times, cats were a favorite hunting alongside their human companions. In ancient

Perhaps humans and canines discovered a potential partnership when dogs would scavenge near humans’ campsites, and the humans learned that the dogs offered protection, as well as help in hunting, in exchange for a share of their food.

Through the ages, Since then, dogs have been taught to provide an incredible variety of services to humans. While guide dogs for the blind are not a new thing—a blind Germanic king supposedly had one in 100 BC, and a wall painting in Pompeii depicts a blind man being led by a dog—it was not until after World War I that a systematic school for guide dogs was established. Now we have hearing dogs for the deaf and service dogs who assist disabled people in a variety of ways. As with the nursing home visitors, the animals used in these programs often are rescuees from shelters.dogs have been bred and trained to help people with hunting, herding, sporting, and countless types of work, in addition to companionship.Egypt, dogs—like cats—were pampered and revered, and only royalty was allowed to own purebred dogs. The subject of artists and writers, and were considered part of a happy home. Studies have shown that petting a cat lowers a person’s blood pressure and that elderly people who are able to keep their pets live longer. The healing power of cats is being used to help people in increasingly popular programs in which pets are taken to visit nursing home residents.

…of dogs

Fossil remains suggest that five distinct types of dogs existed by 4500 BC. Illustrations of dogs, dating from the Bronze Age, have been found on walls, tombs, and scrolls throughout the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Often the dogs are pictured

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

Dogs locate people lost in the wilderness and buried in the wreckage of disasters. They sniff cargo for drugs, guns, bombs, and stowaway snakes; some are being taught to detect cancer in people before it’s diagnosed by doctors. There are innumerable stories of dogs who have rescued their people–as well as other dogs and cats–from fire, flood, and human perpetrators of evil.

…and of horses

 Archaeological and paleontological evidence indicates that the horse was domesticated about 3000 BC—later than dogs and cats. At first, horses apparently were herded for meat and milk. Later, when people had learned how to cultivate grain and abandoned the nomadic hunting lifestyle, they began to appreciate the horse for its finer qualities.

It would not have been easy to tame the horse for human use. The horse is a skittish animal by nature; its instinct is to panic and flee when someone mounts its back, because that is exactly how predators bring down a horse. Yet, fortunately, humans persisted, eventually earning the horse’s trust. Domestication and training of horses had a profound impact on the peoples of Europe and Asia. Travel became much easier, and people began to explore and conquer.

As society became more civilized, the horse’s job requirements changed from carrying the knight into battle to pulling plows, stagecoaches, mail wagons, and even the first trains. With the invention of the internal combustion engine, the horse’s importance on farms and other workplaces all across America became threatened. Most families were unable to keep such large animals as pets, and untold numbers of work horses, tragically, were slaughtered.

Thankfully, horses, not unlike dogs and cats, are now being recognized for their giftedness in helping humans on a more personal level. Organizations are pairing horses with people—both kids and adults—with special needs, to the benefit of both. Generally, the horses used in therapeutic horseback riding programs are “senior” horses, who otherwise might be put out to pasture (or worse). Individuals with a wide range of physical, mental, and behavioral challenges gain self-esteem and discipline as well as balance, posture, and strength. Further, it has been discovered that a horse’s walking motion closely resembles that of humans, and that riding a horse can stimulate a person’s nervous system to duplicate that motion. A disabled person might actually learn to walk by riding a horse.

People in prison and in programs for troubled youth are often given the job of rehabilitating retired racehorses and abused dogs. These people not only save animals’ lives; they return to the outside world with both career skills and social skills. Companion animals are an invaluable gift to mankind, and Gandhi was right: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

California Horses 2 Win Best Horse Handicapping Info on the Net.

© Lisa J. Lehr 2006

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer and Internet marketer specializing in direct response and marketing collateral. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health, pets, and conservative issues.

Please visit her blog at http://warmfuzziesanimalrescue.blogspot.com.

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