| ...Breed Profile continued Though not the oldest of the breeds, the Thoroughbred is most definately one of the most refined. *************************************************************************************** Fun Facts *The Welsh Pony was created by crossing Welsh Moutain mares with a small Thoroughbred stallion named Merlin. The resulting ponies are also known as Merlins. *At one time, the Andalusian was in such high demand that exportation of breeding stock was banned on penalty of death. *After the Greeks were introduced to the Arabian, they fashioned a god-like creature after it called "Pegasus". *The Spanish warrior El Cid called his horse Babieca, which is Spanish for "stupid". *The earliest Arabian brought to the U.S. was a stallion named Ranger. *The oldest German horse breed is the Holstein, its existence known during the 14th century. *The Connemerra is a main contributer to the development of the Irish Hunter. *************************************************************************************** What's In A Name: Results Thanks for those of you who contributed a name to the Thoroughbred gelding on last issue's What's In A Name. The winning name is "Maxwell Smart", sent in by Cara. I found this name somewhat catchy and fitting. Other names included: Tike (ktiffany13k), Solo Jumper (Dana Boomer), and Condor (bianca0000). Thanks again!! *************************************************************************************** What's In A Name? Name: ? Breed: Quarter Horse Age: 4 History: Race horse Status: Is an excellent racer and a consistent winner on the track. Color: Gray Gender: Stallion Disposition: Despite his hot attitude on the track, he's a very gentle stallion who adores people and has a passion to please. *Got a name for him? Submit me your idea, and you just may be a winner. Please submit by January 15th. Thanks!! *************************************************************************************** Poems & Quotes "To learn all that a horse could teach, was a world of knowledge, but only a beginning...Look into a horse's eye and you instantly know if you can trust him." -Mary O'Hara "A horse's eye disquiets me: it has an expression of alarm that may at any moment be translated into action." -E.V. Lucas "Weave for the mighty chestnut A tributary crown Of autumn flowers, the brightest then When autumn leaves are brown Hang up his bridle on the wall, His saddle on the tree, 'Till time shall bring some racing king Worthy to wear as he!" -William Nack "The Tennesse stud was long and lean The color of the sun and his eyes were green He had the nerve and he had the blood There never was a horse like the Tennessee stud." -Jimmie Driftwood "To err is human, to whinny equine." -Cheryl Farner *************************************************************************************** I've Always Wondered... This is a column where I will explain various questions concerning the horse. What does a horse signal with its ears? If you've ever been around a horse, you know that their ears rarely stop moving. They're either flicking backwards, forwards, and every different direction possible. But what do they all mean?? That is what this column will explain. Pricked ears: stiffly erect ears facing directly toward the sound heard. Typical of a horse that is startled, vigilant, alert, or just interested in what they see or hear. Airplane ears: this is the opposite of pricked ears. The ears will flop out laterally with their openings facing downward. This ear posture means that the horse is tired or one who has completely lost interest in the world around it. He is at a psychological low. |