Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

More Olympic humor

In honor of the Olympics with a less serious twist (see other blog here), here is Men doing Dressage:



Funny Commercial



Pas De Duex



Texas Dressage

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Did you know?

That Olympic horse Poggio II was a TB picked up for $2500? He was a pack horse in the Cascade Mts. when he was bought because of his pedigree. Here is his story.
From $2500 pack horse to world class competitions. Granted, his rider fell off in cross country, due from what I could see to a too late take off on a coffin-type jump. It was ugly, but no one was hurt. It totally looked like a loss of focus moment. It happens to the best of us.

I am just thrilled to see American TB's in the upper echelon of competition. Yes, they can compete, and very well, thank you. I believe the majority of the horses in the eventing competition were TB's.

Oh, and just for the record. To that person who wanted to do a little BBN, a little trail riding, and maybe some local showing and turned down my TB gelding (despite the fact she loved him and he went beautifully for her) because your 'trainer' saw the video and said not to buy him because he paddles a little with one front hoof. Poggio II paddles exactly the same. Hmmm..didn't seem to affect his career, did it? Actually, if you watch all the dressage tests, when that horse comes down the center line, darned if they all don't paddle a little, some a lot. You know, they seemed to win at the Olympics anyway.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Ok People, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???

Picture this scenario: A rural neighborhood of small farms. Just about everyone has 10-15 acres with horses in fences. A dead end road with a private gravel drive, horses in pastures on each side. What in this scenario says "Drive onto this private property with your dog or kids, and go in the pasture with the horses?"

We had a lady pull in the driveway, park next to the barn and get out with her dog. She ducked under the electrified high tensile fence with her dog and was walking around. (how she did that without getting shocked I don't know) The land owner saw her, went down to the barn, and asked her what she was doing. She replied "I wanted my dog to meet the horses." She was informed this was private property and told to leave, but really, WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? Hasn't everyone seen that You Tube where the guy gets kicked by the horse (and dies, by the way)?? Surely she is aware some dogs chase and bite other dogs, wouldn't that be a whole lot worse if a 1200 pound horse decides to do it?

A month ago our Morgan mare produced a colt. Granted, he is a stunning little man, solid black, and convinced he is the lord of all creation, but that birth did not turn us into a free petting zoo. The typical example: minivan full of moms and kids pull up. Kids pile out of the van, run to the gate and start climbing. Moms sit chatting in the van and ignoring what the little flip flop clad darlings are doing. Never mind that horses, and especially foals bite, and can sever little fingers without effort. Never mind they can step on toes and break or remove them. Never mind mother horses are just as protective as other mothers and may kick without any warning. Never mind this is private property, way off any main roads and NO ONE INVITED YOU THERE! Why in heavens name would you EVER take your kids and let them run around in a strange place without getting out to watch them?? What kind of mother of the year award do you get for letting you kid run up to a strange 1200 pound animal, with teeth and hooves? What about snakes, wasps, rusty wire, stray dogs? Do you think at 4 or 5 they are ready to start 'taking care of themselves?'

My son grew up on a farm, knows all about those dangers, and STILL I would never allow him to go some place and take off without me watching him. Just how stupid are these people?