| ...I've Always Wondered cont. Dropped ears: more extreme than airplane ears. The ears hang down loosely on either side of the head. The horse is sleepy or in pain and is attempting to ignore everything possible around him. Also used when a horse is backing off from a more dominant horse. Drooped backwards: ears are stuck out sideways and the opening of the ears are directed backward toward the horse's rider. The horse is submissive and fearful toward his rider. This is a common sign of a horse whose owner is abusive or brutal towards him. In other cases, this ear posture is seen between a mare and a stallion when encountering one another sexually. The female is most commonly the one who poses this posture and is accepting the stallion. Flicking ears: occurs when fear turns to panic. They are very erect and constantly twitching. A horse with flicking ears may soon bolt in terror. Pinned ears: ears are flattened against its head so they nearly disappear from view. This is the most aggressive ear posture. The horse is ready to fight and is showing his power and dominance. *************************************************************************************** Quick History: Peter McCue If you're a Quarter Horse person, Peter McCue is most likely a familiar name to you. After all, he was the most influential sire in the early development of the breed. Of the 19 foundations sires, 7 of them trace back directly to Peter McCue in the male line. And one-fifth of the horses in the early stud book descend directly from him. Foaled in 1895, PeterMcCue was first registered as a Thoroughbred by the Jockey Club. Though he is listed as being sired by the Thoroughbred stallion Duke of the Highlands, the American Quarter Horse Association believes that he was sired by Peter McCue's owner's Quarter Horse stallion, Dan Tucker. And so, that is how his breeding appears in Quarter Horse pedigrees. His dam was Nora M., sired by the Thoroughbred stalloin Voltiguer. Peter McCue was raced in the Midwest, and stood at stud in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. *************************************************************************************** Quick Stats: John Henry (famous Thoroughbred race horse) 1980: Best Male Grass Horse 1981: Best Male Grass Horse Horse-of-the-Year Jockey Club Cup at Belmont Park *First race horse to win $3 million *Bay gelding, foaled in 1975. Sired by Ole Bob Bowers and out of Once Double. Second dam was a great-granddaughter of Man o' War *Sold twice as a yearling at public auctions: $1,100 and $2,200. Sold a third time by private treaty for $25,000 to Dotsam Stable. *************************************************************************************** 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.) Ride: bridleless or bareback? 2.) Ride: English or Western? 3.) Ride: Speed events or Pleasure Events? 4.) Ride: Jumping or Dressage? *************************************************************************************** Survey A If you were to build a perfect horse.... 1.) Perfect Height? a. 0-13 b. 13-14 c. 14-15 d. 16-17 e. 17 & up 2.) Type: a. mini b. average c. draft 3.) Mane: a. short b. medium c. long 4.) Tail: a. docked b. medium c. long continued on next page... |