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Barnyard Buddies:  I'm getting a new horse!  |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 04:41:24 AM
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I'm pretty excited about this one. This mare is such a delight; I had her here for training from 2002-2004, and I bred her for a nice colt, which I still have. She belongs to a friend and client in Arkansas, and will be coming here for good sometime in the next few weeks. Her name is Zanetta, and she's a very sweet and gentle girl. She's a FHANA registered Friesian horse, a rare and ancient breed that has gained tremendous popularity here in the United States in the last decade or so. This sturdy Dutch breed was used to carry knights into battle in Medieval times, as well as pull a cart. She also has the designation of Ster, or Star mare, which means by conformation and movement, she's in the top 20% of her breed.
I've missed her so much!
Here are some pics of when she was last here. The colt with her is my coming three year old, McEachan.
Here she has bedding all over her back; I'd just turned them out.
This is Zanetta as a two year old with a sister of hers. Zanetta's in the foreground.
Friesians are always black, although they will bleach out in the sun (as you see here). They have long manes and very full tails, and some feathering at the feet, but are not draft horses. They have a distinctive high round movement and are beautiful in both dressage and driving.
Zanetta is bred to a wonderful stallion named Teade from Iron Spring Farm for a 2007 foal.
I'm so grateful to my friend and client for giving me the opportunity to own this lovely mare!
That's my news! |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 05:12:19 AM
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| Mary Ann -- What a beauty Zanetta is! I can see why you are so excited -- and she'll have a foal this year? This is wonderful news. Good way to start your new year!! |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 06:35:38 AM
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I can see why you are so excited. Friesians are beautiful animals. My friend down the road has her eye on a Friesian so I am always e-mailing her beautiful pictures of them so she will get off her behind and get on her horse. Congrats on the purchase. Lucky you. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 06:43:26 AM
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Mary Ann I am soooo jealous!! What a perfect beauty. I saw a special on Friesians last year on Animal Planet(yes, I watch it  ) Joe Perry from Areosmith breeds them in Vermont w/ his wife who really rides & breeds them. They are so beautiful. Congrats & the best of luck. I am truely happy for you.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 07:01:18 AM
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Mary Ann, got a question for you. I love ALL horses & although I've never owned one yet I ride off & on & have for years. I try to support Return To Freedom & other organizations like them when I'm financially able. But If I finally own a horse I want it to be for the rest of my life & my question is this; are Tennessee Walkers, Spotted Saddle and the Friesians from the same blood lines? I like smaller horses now. When I was younger & a bit stupid I'd ride bareback in situations that make me cringe now. Also I now appreciate the beauty & degree of difficulty of the "steps" these horses perform, especially in Dressage. Are these good breeds for ownership & possibly showing? Thanks.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 08:15:45 AM
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Each breed offers something very different. Both Tennessee Walkers and Spotted Saddle horses are relatively new breeds, both originating in America. Heck, even the most popular breed in the United States, the American Quarter horse, has only had a registry since 1941. The Friesian studbooks go back more than five hundred years. Spotted Saddle Horses and TWHs are both gaited, meaning they offer distinct gaits like the slow gait, rack, shuffle, fox trot, pace, etc; the Friesian does not; they do walk/trot/canter. The Friesian is thought to be in the bloodlines of the Morgan, another American breed; there are a lot of similarities there.
The breed registry that this mare belongs to is highly exclusive. They are NOT allowed to cross breed, nor are people allowed to breed to anything but stallions approved by the registry. The registry is VERY particular. A horse has to reach the age of three and go to a keuring, or inspection by Dutch judges, and be designated as being worthy of going to Holland for inspection. Once there, he has a year of work ahead, proving himself in conformation, performance, and even his stall manners. Only the best of the best are allowed to breed, and these horses are given provisional breeding rights. If their babies aren't very good, breeding rights are revoked. There are only ninety-two approved FHANA/FPS (the home Dutch registry) breeding stallions in the world.
Anyone caught cross breeding will lose their papers and be thrown out of the Association.
All these breeds have different individuals with different temperments. The gaited horses only do well as trail horses and in gaited breed shows; their distinctive gaits are not wanted in other disciplines. Friesians excel at driving and dressage, but are willing to try most anything.
Many people like the gaited breeds for their smoothness under saddle, but personally I don't care for them. There is little to do with them outside of trail riding or gaited shows, and the show world of the TWH is riddled with horse torture and scandal. They are frequently 'sored' to get the exaggerated 'big lick' gaits, are rarely or never allowed out of a stall for fear of damaging their heavily weighted and padded feet. It's a very unnatural life for a horse, and even for those of us who have been in this a long time and get a little jaded, seeing the scars, chemical burns, the chains, the objects placed under pads to make them step ever higher, well, it just makes me sick.
As far as having smaller horses, most breeds come in all sorts of sizes. Smaller horses tend to sell for a bit less, since bigger ones have more ring presence and can carry a wider variety of rider sizes. Friesians range in size from 15hh to 17+ hands, so they can be whatever you like. I know TWHs come in all sizes too, but I don't know that much about Spotted Saddle Horses.
And we've all done stoopid reckless things when we were young! Man, how did we live so long?!?! |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 08:17:01 AM
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Mary Ann, thank you for the pictures. They are so beautiful it makes my heart ache! Zanetta has such a sweet face....and McEachan is quite the little prince. Long-legged foals are just too precious. I think my favorite is the picture of the two of them looking into the distance at something quite interesting.
A lovely way to start my day!
Sandy
I'd get a face lift - but then it wouldn't match my body! |
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horse
True Blue Farmgirl
371 Posts
laura
pontotoc
mississippi
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 09:12:15 AM
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Mary Ann, what a beautiful horse. I don't know that much about that type of breed. As far as TWH goes, there are some out there that does give it a bad rap. But there are those of us who don't. There are some who have taken spotted horses or gaited and those made them awesome cutting, or other time event horses. I prefer my horses to be 14hh to 14.5hh. All I do is time events. Barrel racing and pole bending. Larger horses scare me, too far from the ground. Would love to know more about your horse. Will you show it in dressage. That seems like a very interesting event. Have watched it on t.v. Here in the show it's either trail riding, cutting, reining, western pleasure, cow catching, roping, or barrel racing. Anything to do with horses I'm in hog-heaven.
Laura
www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com
3 barrels,2 hearts,1 passion |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 09:12:18 AM
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Very pretty horses. I like the look of them, you can tell they are built for heavy work. Love the long tails. May I suggest Pantene conditioner when you wash and comb them out. works for me and I have very long hair. HA.
NANCY Jo
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 09:45:49 AM
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Mary Ann, thats disgusting what they do to TWH's how do they get away w/ it? So its pretty to see & a torture for the horse. Dressage isn't like that, is it? I've seen them "Dance" and it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. How heartbreaking for the TWH, how can you ak an animal to do something so pretty when its filled w/ so much torture. Thanks Mary Ann, I wish I lived closer to you.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 10:20:17 AM
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how very beautiful! woohoo! so happy for you to be able to raise these beauties.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 10:25:42 AM
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Laura, cool picture of you and Dass on your blog. That kind of ridding has got to be exceiting and nerve racking. Good pic.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 10:35:00 AM
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Michele,
I might suggest that you decide what discipline you want to follow, and then find the breed of horse that best suits that discipline. As they say, form follows function. My first horse (outside of childhood ponies) was an appendix - a quarter horse/thorougbred cross. He was versatile and his size at 15.3 hands and conformation allowed him to try several disciplines. When I bought him, he was jumping at about 3 feet; however, jumping was not in my vocabulary! Not unless, as I told him, we were on a trail ride with wild dogs behind us and log in front of us ... then it would be okay! ;-)
When he retired, we were at the introductory stages of dressage. Dressage is a beautiful discipline to learn, but understand that it takes years of commitment to excel. Those we see "dancing" with their horse have likely been working their entire lives to reach that level.
Follow your dream, find the horse that meets your needs and prepare to have the time of your life!
I'd get a face lift - but then it wouldn't match my body! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 10:47:18 AM
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Sandy, just looking to ride for pleasure. I always rode western but had a private desire to try dressage but felt uncomfortable w/ people more then the different saddle. I live next to a town called Colts Neck & horses were always the big thing in town but the stables are huge & most of the people have alot of money, I don't. One stable I went to 3 women sneared at me when I drove up in my 2004 Ford Taurus, I got out & went to the barn and thought I was at a photo shoot for some major horse magazine. I had on normal riding clothes for english (so I thought) just wasn't comfortable at all. I have NEVER experienced that in a barn riding western.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 2:24:21 PM
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Michele, it's true that there's some terrible snobbery in horsemen. Makes me want to cry. Too many people, in horses as in other disciplines, confuse what they own with what they are. These are not the same.
As for the horse torture, it's been the scandal of the horse world for decades. There is a tremendous pressure to win, and the horse often pays the price. A trainer or owner sees one horse stepping high, so they do whatever they have to to make theirs step higher. It's a real matter of cruelty in TWH, but it's been known to happen in all breeds and disciplines. In many places it has ceased to be about excellence, and is now about exaggeration.
Just for fun, this is a pic of my colt from last year. He was two then. He's still a stud (until March, anyway) and is as sweet and gentle as you could ever ask. His main job will be dressage, and carrying me where ever I choose to go.
And Nancy, you're right; Pantene rocks!  |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 2:36:36 PM
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He's just three now, right? Have you started him under saddle yet? He looks as if he would be smooth as silk to ride, and so beautiful in how he carries himself.
And might I add that your farm looks wonderful, too!
I'd get a face lift - but then it wouldn't match my body! |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 3:32:05 PM
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MaryAnn,
They are beautiful. It has always been my dream to have a horse of my own but I don't know if it will ever happen. thank you so much for sharing those pictures,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 4:06:06 PM
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oh Mary Ann hes so beautiful. Thank you so much for putting up these pictures, I love seeing them & appreciate it.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 7:01:04 PM
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Sandy, he's coming three. Being a warmblood breed, they mature at a much slower rate, so we don't start them under saddle until they're three. But he does longe and long line, and I have sat on him a few times. He's very willing and goes along with whatever I ask.
Thanks for all your kind words! |
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primjillie
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Jill
Antelope
CA
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 12:10:30 PM
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| Doesn't Martha Stewart have Friesians? I thought I had read about their black coats and that she keeps them in the barn during the daylight hours and only lets them out after dark so they don't fade. I thought that was a little extreme ~ do people really do this or is it just her? I saw pictures of Martha's barn though, and the horses have it made! |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 5:28:20 PM
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Yes, Martha Stewart has Friesians. Lots of people keep them out of the sunlight so they don't fade. Every spring and fall they shed and the new coat is dark black.
I choose to keep my horses outside. It gives them denser, stronger bone and a happier social life. I only put mine in stalls during inclement weather. I feed my colt (get this) paprika to keep him black. Here he is as a two year old. He's kept out all the time, and you can see he's black:
I don't feed it to the pregnant mares, though. |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 6:41:09 PM
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I had heard that there was a dietary supplement that you could give black horses to keep their color intact.. but paprika, I never would have guessed!
I'd get a face lift - but then it wouldn't match my body! |
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horse
True Blue Farmgirl
371 Posts
laura
pontotoc
mississippi
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 6:49:40 PM
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Thank you Michelle. Barrel racing is a lot of fun. There are even people out there who compete that does alot of things that I don't approve of. You wouldn't believe what they do to get their horses hyped up. Chasing cans is a rush like you have never expericened. It can be nerve racking. It's alot of fun. I have run into people who shoot their horses up just have a 14 second ride. So see it's not just the gaited people , it's in every class.
Laura
www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com |
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summerbreeze
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Laura
WA
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 7:24:53 PM
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Congratulations on the new addition to your family. She is beautiful!
Laura
You only live once,if you do it right once is enough. |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2007 : 08:23:35 AM
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Thankyou, Laura! I've missed her so much, I didn't even realize how much until I knew she was coming back. And you are right; there's abuse in most every breed and event. I'm so sad at the attitude of tolerance for it in the TWHs though.
And Sandy, paprika is the main ingredient in a product called Black As Knight. You can just feed paprika instead, though. I used to buy Black As Knight in these 20# tubs but when I found an online source for paprika at about half the cost per serving, I jumped at it. And as you can see, it works just fine.
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Barnyard Buddies: I'm getting a new horse! |
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I'm getting a new horse!
