HorseTrax The newsletter for horse lovers Please visit the HorseTrax website!! http://clix.to/horsetrax (shorter, easier address than before!!) *************************************************************************************** HorseTrax Newsetter #4 January 31, 2002 In This Issue: 1*What's New? 2*Did You Know-Encephalomyelitis 3*Breed Profile: The Frederiksborg 4*Fun Facts 5*What's In A Name: Results 6*What's In A Name? 7*Poems & Quotes 8*I've Always Wondered...How Well Can A Horse See? 9*Quick History: Meadow Skipper 10*Quick Stats: *Muscat 11*Would You Rather...?: Results & New Survey 12*Survey B Results 13*Survey C 14*What's Their Breed: Results 15*What's Their Breed? 16*Stallion In The Spotlight *NEW* 17*Horse Sites *NEW* 18*The Reader's Input 19*A Final Neigh 20*References ************************************************************************************** What's New?     Because I live in Northern Minnesota, I know what it's like to know winter. And it's always such a downfall when you own a horse. The snow, ice, below zero temperatures...it's just sometimes so hard to get out there and ride. But because winter stays here for 6 months out of the year, one must learn to deal with it and suck it up once in a while. I thought of this while riding my horse today, actually, as we raced through the fresh powder. I took him down a trail of deep snow to a summer house owned by a distant neighbor. I took advantage of their large lawn and fluffy, untouched snow by racing Baron around the few trees scattered sparsely across the yard. After playing there for a while, we raced back up the snowy trail and onto the road, upon which I slowed down and only walked him at a leisurely pace for a couple of miles before returning home. Winter, as difficult as it may be to get motivated to ride, can actually be quite fun. So get out there and enjoy it before it's gone!!      As for HorseTrax, I hope you enjoy this issue. I always hope that with each new newsletter, I can make it more interesting. Be sure to look for HorseTrax #5 on February 14, 2002. Thanks!! Sincerely, Erin and Baron *************************************************************************************** Did You Know?-Encephalomyelitis     Encephalomyelitis (try pronouncing that one) is a ridiculously long and tongue-twisting way to say sleeping sickness. It is a viral disease that occurs suddenly and has a very high death rate. There are three particular strains of this disease: Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan. It can be easily transmitted by blood-sucking insects, most commonly aedes, culex, and anopheles mosquitos, lice, ticks, anc chicken mites. This disease is most commonly seen from June to November because mosquitos and some birds maintain it, especially if you live in an area with a large population of mosquitos and birds.      Horses that live mainly in the pasture are more likely to get this disease than stabled horses. This is, obviously, because they are subjected to the outdoors more often and for longer periods of time. Symptoms include: irregular gaits, high temperature, and in the more extreme stage, rapid development of paralysis. Sadly, over 90% of the horses infected by the Eastern strain of this disease die.      If you are concerned about Encephalomyelitis, there is a triple vaccine available, which is effective against all three strains of the disease, though this vaccination only lasts for one season. So if you wish to protect your horse, this vaccination should be given annually. Ask your veterinarian for further information. *************************************************************************************** Breed Profile: The Frederiksborg      The Frederiksborg is the oldest of the breeds in Denmark, being able to trace back to the horses of the royal stud at, respectively, the city of Frederiksborg. At one time, this breed was on eof the finest in Euroope, and was one of the most famous breeds in the world during the 1700's. Now, however, many are not even familiar with this breed, for it is classified as a "rare" breed.      Characteristically, the Frederiksborg is always chestnut in color. The mane and tail are most commonly flaxen, or of at least a lighter shade of chestnut. They possess large eyes, straight heads, medium necks, pronounced withers, short backs, and well-muscled legs with small, strong hooves.      The Frederiksborg was valued as a school horse, carriage horse for the upper class, and a great military charger. The studs were used to improve other breeds for about 300 years (1600's to late 1800's), and often used to even create new breeds. They were bred primarily for two particular things: the smaller of the breed were very versatile riding horses while the larger of the breed made excellent carriage horses. Those who drew carriages were mostly bred for color, because it was important that a team of 6-8 horses appeared almost identical. Their popularity resulted in the exportation of the breed to countries all over the world. This caused the decline of the breed, and in 1839, the stud was closed. Only private breeders maintained the few remaining purebreds.      In 1939, efforts to bring back the Frederiksborg were made by using the blood of Friesians and Oldenburgs, and later also the blood of Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Unfortunately, conncections between the Frederiksborgs today and the first of the breed are very slight. The demand in their breeding is still today focused on a good riding horse. *************************************************************************************** Fun Facts *Canada has no native horse breeds. *Thoroughbreds are famous around the world as elite race horses. They are the fastes and most valuable of all breeds. *Eventing first appeared in the Olympics in 1912. *During Napoleon's Peninsular War (1808-1814), his armies took the best of the Andalusian horses available and nearly erased the breed from existence by the end of the war. *The word "Chincoteague" is a Native American word meaning "beautiful land across the waters." *The Palio in Siena, Italy, is the longest-running horse race in the world. It began in the 13th century and still continues on today. *Horses were used to draw chariots long before they were used for riding purposes. *The origin of all horse coat colors lies in individual genes. There are 39 of these genes, in which results thousands of possible combinations. *************************************************************************************** What's In A Name: Results     The multi-talented Paint in Issue #3 was offered many excellent potential names. However, "Miss Competition" seemed most fitting, this name sent in by Dana. Thanks for your great idea, Dana!! Other good suggestions included: Sugar Shez Sweet (Teresa), Rainbow (Tiffany), Coffee 'n' Cream (Kaat), and Go For Blue! Red Won't Do! (Anna). Thanks to those of you who participated!! Keep on reading to see this issue's What's In A Name and send in your own response!! *************************************************************************************** What's In A Name? Name: ? Breed: Arabian Age: 9 History: Halter, Costume Status: Shown regularly in costume classes Colors: Jet black with 4 white stockings Gender: Stallion Disposition: Because he is a stallion, he is a bit excitable and arrogant, but these characteristics are what makes him a consistent winner! *Can you come up with a good name for this spirited guy? Think of something and send your suggestion to me by February 12!! Thanks!! *************************************************************************************** Poems & Quotes "So did this horse excel a common one In shape, in courage, color, pace and bone. What a horse should have he did not lack, Save a proud rider on so proud a back." -Shakespeare "A prince is never surrounded by as much majesty on his throne as he is on a beautiful horse." -William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle "A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle." -Ian Flemming "A man on a horse is spiritually as well as physically bigger than a man on foot." -John Steinbeck "The horse will leap over trenches, will jump out of them, will do anything else, provided one grants him praise and respite after his accomplishment." -Xenophon ************************************************************************************** I've Always Wondered...How Well Can A Horse See?     You can often tell a horse's temperament by his eyes. Actually, much is derived from those big, round spheres that seem to gaze deeply into your soul. Did you know that the eye of the horse is twice the size of the human eye? Its size even surpasses that of the elephant and the blue whale, making it one of the largest in the entire animal kingdom. In this article, you will learn about the significance of the amazing organ.      The eye of the horse possesses a light-intensifying device known as the tapetum lucidum, a layer that reflects light onto the retina, giving it the ability to see quite well in dim or dark light, much like a cat. Because we humans generally use our horses during the day when there is light, we overlook their ability to see in the dark. They are creatures commonly in constant action during both the day and the night (except, of course, when they are resting). Instinctively, they are constantly on the lookout for predators, and if danger is abundant, it can be seen easily by the horse because his eye is specially designed to be extremely sensitive to even the smallest of movements. (Those of you who have had a horse spook at a leaf blowing across the road can understand this).      The horse also has a very wide range of vision. A horse can see approximately 340 of the 360 degrees around him. His two blind spots are directly in front of him and directly behind, so one must always be certain to approach a horse from slightly to one side, as to prevent startling him.      On the negative side of the horse's eye, he cannot see in detail nearly as well as humans can, and their depth perception is rather poor as well. To better understand this, try looking at an object with one eye closed. This is similar to the detail in which a horse can see things.      As for color, horses are not color blind, as most have often believed. Yet their color vision is much weaker than ours. Of all colors, yellow is the easiest for them to see, followed by greens, blues, and finally reds.      Finally, when a horse is subjected to strong light, his pupils will narrow. If you've ever seen a cat do this, you can understand. However, they do not narrow vertically as cats' eyes do, but rather horizontally, giving the horse the ability to maintain his vision of wide horizons and huge range of vision. *************************************************************************************** Quick History: Meadow Skipper     He was foaled in 1960, and he would become the Standardbred pacing sire who would rewrite the record books of that time. Every year he raced, he was a world's or season's champion pacer. By the age of 2, he had already acquired 15 wins and a record time of 1:59 4/5. At the age of 3, he became the fastest of his age when he achieved the record time of 1:55 1/5. During that same year, he conquered the Cane Futurity and set two track records. The following year, he won $50,000 in the American Pacing Classic and paced 10 winning miles in only 2:00 or faster!      When he retired from the track and began his life as a sire, he proved himself yet again. He produced get that took so many 2:00 or better times, that the offspring of Meadow Skipper passed those of the great sire Adios (see Issue #1). By the year 1981, Meadow Skipper had sired 251 pacers with 2:00 or better records. With two of his most notable sons, Albatross and Most Happy Fella, Meadow Skipper made up the trio of stallions that dominated as sires from 1970-1980. *************************************************************************************** Quick Stats: *Muscat     *Muscat is not only one of the most beautiful Arabian stallions in the history of the breed, but he was also extremely talented and successful in his career as both a stallion and performance horse. He claimed the prestigious title of a "Triple Crown Winner" of the Arabian horse industry. This means that he won all three of the following honors in the same year (1980): Scottsdale Champion Stallion, Canadian National Champion Stallion, and U.S. National Champion Stallion. Few horses achieve so great a feat. As for his offspring, *Muscat claims 1,028 registered purebred foals. Of his get, there are 47 U.S./Canadian National Winners, 171 Class A Champions, 8 IAHA Legion of Honor Award Winners, 1 IAHA Legion of Supreme Honor Award Winner, 1 IAHA Legion of Excellence Award Winner, 1 IAHA Legion of Merit Award Winner, 14 Race Starters, and $31,287 won by his racing offspring. *************************************************************************************** Would You Rather...?: Results & New Survey Results: Barrel Racing: 25% Reining: 75% Eventing: 25% Show Jumping: 75% Endurance: 100% Track: 0% Team Roping: 0% Team Penning: 100% Thanks to all of you who chose to participate in last issue's Would You Rather...? !! This issue's Would You Rather...? This is like a survey, but you are only given two options between which you must choose. E-mail me your responses with the title Would You Rather in the subject line. 1.) Own a: Purebred or Cross? 2.) Own a: Western or English horse? 3.) Be a: Farrier or Veterinarian? 4.) Be a: Trainer or Breeder? *************************************************************************************** Survey B Results Thanks for contributing your responses to this survey. Here are the results: 1.) Favorite Harness Breed:      Standardbred: 25%      Friesian: 25%      Cleveland Bay: 25%      Other: 25% 2.) Favorite Racing Breed:      Thoroughbred: 50%      Arabian: 25%      Other: 25% 3.) Favorite Draft Horse Breed:      Shire: 25%      Percheron: 50%      Belgian: 25% 4.) Favorite Pony Breed:      Welsh: 50%      Connemerra: 50% 5.) Favorite Western Breed:      Quarter Horse: 50%      Appaloosa: 25%      Mustang: 25% 6.) Favorite English Breed:      Hannoverian: 25%      Trakehner: 25%      Other: 50% *************************************************************************************** Survey C 1.) What would you rather do with horses? (Keep in mind costs, etc.) a. Nothing but study and read b. Take a lesson every now and then c. Take lessons as often as you can d. Work in a stable e. Lease a horse f. Buy a horse 2.) What level of riding would you like to be doing? a. Lessons b. Showing c. Exercise rider d. Riding Instructor e. Trainer 3.) What style of riding would you like to know more about? a. Side Saddle b. Cart Racing c. Polo d. Gymkanna e. Costume 4.) If you were to teach your horse a trick, which of the following would it be? a. Bow b. Sit c. Lay Down d. Rear 5.) If you could choose one of the following trainers to train your horse, who would it be? a. Pat Parelli b. John Lyons c. Monty Roberts d. Richard Shrake e. Clinton Anderson Please submit to me your responses by February 12th. Thanks!! ************************************************************************************** What's Their Breed: Results Thanks to Tiffany for her brave attemt at last issue's What's Their Breed. She answered 2 of the 4 questions correctly, missing #2 and #3. Good try, Tiffany!! Below are the correct answers: 1.) Royal King: Quarter Horse 2.) Pointsettia: Hackney Pony 3.) Wing Commander: American Saddle Horse 4.) Greyhound: Standardbred *************************************************************************************** What's Ther Breed? Below are four famous horses and it is your job to choose their correct breed. E-mail me your answers by February 12th. Good luck!! 1.) Kelso a. Westphalian b. Thoroughbred c. Appaloosa 2.) Parade a. Tennessee Walker b. Hackney c. Morgan 3.) Old Painter a. Appaloosa b. Paint c. Pinto 4.) Old Sorrel a. Quarter Horse b. Arabian c. Mustang *************************************************************************************** Stallion In The Spotlight In this section, I will choose a noteworthy stallion, and give you some pretty basic facts on him, along with a website address where you can visit him. Name: Simeon Shai+ Breed: Arabian Gender: 1984 Stallion Color: Bay Height: 15+ hh Sire and Dam: Raadin Royal Star x Simeon Safanad Owned by: Silver Maple Farm Other: Straight Egyptian Stallion. National Champion in U.S., Canada, and Paris (World) See him at: www.smfarabs.com *************************************************************************************** Horse Sites In each newsletter, I will list here horses sites that I have enjoyed, as well as the sites of my readers. If you have a website that you would like to have advertised here, just let me know!! Equine's Time To Shine (placed here by request of site owner) www.oocities.org/equineshine Hooved Animal Humane Society I'm really trying to help this place out by getting their site known. There are so many horses our ther who need our help!! Stop by this site and see how you can contribute!! www.hahs.org *************************************************************************************** The Reader's Input     Again, the wanted column. Just a reminder to let you know that you can submit anything that has to do with horses at any time!! Comments and suggestions are always welcome as well. Thanks!! *************************************************************************************** A Final Neigh     I feel great to be getting yet another newsetter done EARLY!! I usually manage to do this on the weekend when I'm not stressing over schoolwork. It takes a good 2 1/2 hours to do this newsletter, even *after* preparing ideas for it!! But it sure is fun and is a great learning experience. I just hope that my readers get something out of it as well. Thanks for reading. Look for HorseTrax #5 on February 14, 2002. Until then...happy riding!! *************************************************************************************** References Carpenter, Marion K. Arabian Legends. Colorado: Western Horseman Inc., 1999. Kays, John M. The Horse. New York: Arco Publishing, Inc., 1969. Morris, Desmond. Horsewatching. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1988. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. Breeds of Livestock. Oklahome, 1995/1996. ***************************************************************************************    Home                                                                                                                             Past Issues