| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 11:08:21 AM
I haven't been here on this board in a long time but I've missed you all and thought of many of you frequently. I've been pretty busy getting a couple of my boys going. A friend of mine stopped by last October and took some pics for me, and I finally scanned them in and uploaded them to a hosting site. So here are Zeke and McEachan, both out of my mare Zanetta. They are FHANA registered Friesians.
This is me with baby Zeke. He was five months old here.
Here he's running around. He has a very typey way of going.
And here's big brother McEachan. He's three years old here.
He did spectacularly in his first year under saddle, earning himself the nickname Goat Boy because he'll climb ANYTHING. I've started many, many horses through the years but this one is hands down the boldest, the bravest, the most trusting colt EVER. My friend got to climb on and ride him around, and this is the only other person besides me to ever be on his back--- and he was a perfectly obedient gentleman. So I told her I wanted her camera and took her picture!
Here's a pic of his dear face. He's such a gentle, sweet spirit. I love him to pieces! Yeah his mane's sunburned; it'll get dyed in the spring.
Zeke was sold within a few weeks of his birth, and has since gone to his new home. McEachan will never be for sale; he's my guy!
I hope you like! |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Jan 27 2008 : 10:39:16 AM
Glad to see you're back, Mary Ann. I'm afraid the horse-bug has bitten me again ;-) Since I've started working at the Humane Society Rescue Ranch, and working with these sometimes troubled animals, I could sense the old yearnings sneaking up on me. And then I did something this past weekend that put me over the top: I watched LadyHawke once again. I surrender -- I need to ride again.
I've contacted the trainer that I worked with before - someone I trusted and respected. So I'll start with baby steps - taking lessons and getting my "horse legs" back. I'd love to adopt one of the rescued horses, but safety is a prime consideration and many of these horses have issues far beyond my capabilities.
So for now, I'll continue enjoying working at the ranch, teaching these ruffians the basics of ground manners and handling. There is just "something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a (wo)man."
Sandy
I've learned that it takes as much time and energy to wish as it does to plan.
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| Horseyrider |
Posted - Jan 25 2008 : 6:33:16 PM
Ooooh Winona, that's some outstanding eye candy! Their turnout is exquisite, and the performance was terrific! Friesians with manes like that have to be kept up all the time; if they had their heads down to graze, they'd step on their manes and forelocks and tear them out. Me, I like them to be on a lot of turnout, so we don't do that. But he sure was a treat to see! Thanks so much for thinking of me! |
| goneriding |
Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 7:09:35 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LYZByAlUQw
I hope this works but I think this is one gorgeous video. I know I'm a little off topic but thought you might enjoy it if you haven't seen it.
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 1:47:32 PM
Mary Ann - Your boy is just elegant. He looks like a sculpture come to life. Just perfect.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 10:54:47 AM
Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to me, and I love to share my horses.
Corrine, Friesians are an ancient breed. As you probably know, our Quarter Horses have had their registry since 1941. But the modern Friesian registry dates back to the 1700s, and the Friesian horse dates back to the Middle Ages where it was used to carry knights into battle. A little known provision in the Dutch registry (the one in which my horses are registered) is that all the Friesians really belong to Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, and are graciously lent to us common folk. The Friesian was developed in Friesland, a part of The Netherlands.
The breed nearly became extinct when the automobile came along, but a handful of dedicated breeders decided that this beautiful, gentle, bold breed must not be allowed to die out. There was a brief infusion of Oldenburg blood in the beginning, but since then all crossbreeding is expressly forbidden. Should you crossbreed your horse, you run the risk of having your horse's papers pulled and being thrown out of the registry. Only approved stallions are allowed to breed; again, anyone breeding an unapproved stallion runs the risk of having the papers pulled and being kicked out of the registry. Being an approved stallion is a rigorous process. First, the horse must be inspected in the fall of their three year old year by the judges the breed association brings over from Holland. Virtually no horses ever pass this inspection; but should they, then the owner must send the horse to Holland for a year of continuous evaluation and training. The owner foots the bill, and it's at least $10,000 after they arrive. Shipping is extra. Should they still pass, then they are given provisional breeding rights. If the quality of their babies is very high, then they get full breeding approval. Sometimes the babies aren't as well made as the parents, and the breeding privileges are revoked by judges who inspect the babies.
There are only about 92 approved and provisionally approved FHANA/FPS registered breeding stallions in the world.
There is also a German registry of Friesians. They do allow crossbreeding, and have several other distinctions that separate them from the Dutch horses. Both registries have outstanding individuals, but the price tag on the Dutch ones tends to be much higher.
I love my Quarter Horses, don't get me wrong. I have a delightful grandson of Sonny Dee Bar, and an own son of Natural Iron, a nearly 17hh hunter. But my heart has really been stolen by these sweet and gentle Friesians! They're naturally athletic, naturally balanced and forward, and gentle, sweet-natured people loving horses that love to be messed with and loved on. And believe me, it's so easy to do!
Thanks for looking at my boys! One of these days I'll have to upload some pics of their mama. She's such a beauty!
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| junkjunkie |
Posted - Jan 21 2008 : 11:09:00 AM
Beautiful horses! I love their necks and sweet faces....they look like they have a sweet spirit! Nice photos. :)
"To have life in focus, we must have death in our field of vision." Benedictine monk John Main |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Jan 21 2008 : 10:12:58 AM
WOW! What beautiful horses! LUCKY YOU :)
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| goneriding |
Posted - Jan 21 2008 : 09:37:53 AM
Your guys are gorgeous! I've wondered where you've been! Glad to hear you're back!
Hugs to your guys! *hugs*
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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| Alee |
Posted - Jan 20 2008 : 09:01:35 AM
Your boys are beautiful. Very typey and you can just tell they have the best temperments!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Jan 20 2008 : 07:31:00 AM
Mary Ann, it's so good to "see you" again! Your boys are so beautiful.
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 7:00:23 PM
What stunners! I absolutely love watching a horse run. Beauty, truly.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 6:57:35 PM
Oh they are so pretty. Thanks so much for posting pictures for us to see!! It is good to see you post here too..I have missed you!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 5:57:31 PM
They are so beautiful. McEachan is just exquisite. That baby boy is a beauty too. How lucky you are to have these wonderful animals in your life.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| HeathersHeartfeltStitches |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 4:50:55 PM
OMGOSH...What a BEAUTY! I had to share your pics with my DH. Your Big Boy has put a smile on his face today Thanks for Sharing.
http://www.picturetrail.com/photos/heathersstitches -SHOP
http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 3:25:18 PM
Mary Ann, I have wondered about you, haven't seen you around for awhile. Love your boys. Great leg action. Beautiful. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Georgia Girl |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 3:00:26 PM
Gorgeous! You are truly blessed
~Denise~
Proud Farmgirl Sister #113
http://mybigcityfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| AmyEllen |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 2:55:29 PM
OH My they are both so lovely. I have to say that while my first love is the arabian, freisians run such a very close second. My oh my they are both so gorgeous. I don't blame you for saying your boy would never be for sale. It would be an over my dead body sort of thing. They would have to pry the reins out of my hands if I were you. How blessed you are!!!
Amy
My Blog
http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/
Amore Schnauzers
http://amoreschnauzers.blogspot.com/ |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 12:46:44 PM
omg...they are beautiful! someday, i'll have horses again. i've always rode quarter horses or mustangs, but your freisians area amazing. would you mind telling me more about them?
It sounds so good to hear myself laugh. --Rascal Flats, "No Reins" |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 12:25:48 PM
wow! wow! wow! love them!so majestically beautiful! stunning...and did I say ..beautiful! They just take your breath away.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
