Legends of the Fall

Have I done a post yet on Legends of the Fall? I think I might have mentioned it a time or two...

Either way, I'd like to take a moment to thank director Edward Zwick for putting together the drool fest, horse/ranch/cowboy orgy he named "Legends of the Fall".

I was 13 when this movie came out and I remember thinking that it had to be the BEST movie ever made! Brad Pitt and horses? And a beautiful ranch (filmed in Alberta, Canada btw) and a soundtrack to die for, and the tragically beautiful Julia Ormond! The costumes! The era! Oh and the story! *sigh*

I am the eternal and hopeless romantic!

I found this footage today while looking for a specific scene featuring a black horse I remembered from this movie (that I think looks a bit like this gelding I found for sale on dreamhorse.)

Thought you might enjoy it too.

Fjord or Haflinger Anyone?

Alright, lets cover this quickly, shall we? There are two horses that come in a pony size, the Haflinger and the Fjord. They are both never, and I mean never referred to as a pony! Despite their size these horses are surprisingly devoid of the usual "small man syndrome" attitude that usually accompanies smaller animals... (and men...but that is a subject for another day....

Did I ever tell you I once dated a man with a particularly bad case of SMS? Nasty little fellow he was... tried to compensate by using Steroids... which we all know only makes a man smaller in the only area that really counts... sorry... plus the 'Roid rage didnt help matters at all)... Where was I? Oh, right, story for another day....Fjords... Haflingers... got it!

Haflingers and Fjords are both similar in build and type, though one comes in a trademark palomino type color and the other comes in every different shade of dun.

Both can pack a full size adult and are known as being unparalleled in temperament, soundness, dependability and hardiness. And really, what more can you ask for in a horse? Well, besides....

Speed... Who needs it! *waves hand dismissively* Forsooth! When did a fast horse ever get you anywhere but in more trouble at a higher rate of speed?

*blocking Browneyed Cowgirls from commenting*

No, they wont give you no 20 foot stop! But who needs to stop that big when you wont ever be goin' that fast anyways?

So what if they cant jump over 4 foot (actually some do!)... Most of these horses arent even four feet tall! Throw a little punk kid up on top and they cut a pretty cute picture in an English saddle...

Okay, so maybe I need a little different qualities in my horse but overall, for an all round recreational mount that the whole family can enjoy, these guys are the ticket. If you need a good solid, sane, and sound horse that has a kind personality, easy going attitude, and naturally unflappable disposition, either a Haflinger or Fjord will get the job done with a smile.

Of course the exception proves the rule. I am sure there are a few half crazed, spooky as all get-out, 3 legged Fjords kickin' around...but... in general, both these breeds rock. And I mean that in a good way...not like dumb as a rock (I have found a lot of really "quiet" horse are really just a little slow on the uptake, not the sharpest tools in the shed...ya know?) Anyways, *insert stoned out hippie voice* These guys, they like totally rock man!

Because I'm feeling a little lazy (and crazy, apparently) I am going to post a link to some info on both breeds along with a short description, ok-y-doe-kee? Hello? Anyone?

The Fjord- a short, squat, dun colored pony *gasp* that is so hardy it can even haul my fat ass over long distances....thats it... end of story....

just kidding...

The Norwegian Fjord was domesticated over FOUR THOUSAND years ago and selectively bred for over 2000!! (I guess that's about how long it takes us to selectively breed for a sound horse!)

The Breed Registry website states: (click for link)

- "The charming, gentle disposition of the Fjord Horse is its most outstanding quality. They are hardy, long lived, agile, sure-footed, and willing. They love attention, are "people oriented", and are happiest when they are working. They learn fast and have an amazing ability to retain what they have learned even after long periods of inactivity. Their cool temperament and graceful, balanced gaits both under saddle and in harness, make them the ideal family horse. They are used for schooling horses for the young or inexperienced rider, yet are large and powerful enough for adults to ride and enjoy."

While the Haflinger Registery states:

- "The specialty of the Haflinger lies, of course, in its unique golden chestnut coloring with a long, flowing white mane and tail. But more unique is the people-loving, willing and forgiving temperament that was established over centuries of living alongside and working with the mountain peasants, serving all purposes for all family members. Haflingers very simply became part of the family.

The modern Haflinger is now found all over the world, active in such varied disciplines as dressage, jumping, vaulting, packing, pleasure driving, CDE, western trail riding, CTE, endurance riding, draft work and therapeutic riding programs. Haflingers hold their own in competition with other breeds, often showing surprising athleticism and strength for their size.

The Haflinger continues to capture hearts and enrich lives as it has for over two centuries. Horse lovers desiring an equine companion that is safe, versatile, dependable, and beautiful have discovered the Haflinger. Intelligence, character, willingness, grace, stamina, athleticism, and long life make the Haflinger a wise choice for everyone."

I couldnt say it better! So I didnt. lol

Lets see a few in action, yah? *Swedish accent* Yah! Yaaahh!!

The reining Haflinger



The Fjord Dressage Horse...

Another Breed Post

Melanie over at Horses, Kids and Homework has inspired both today's and yesterdays post! The topic of horse breeds always gets the conversational juices flowing. While I am a HUGE fan of the American Quarter Horse there are many other breeds that I love as well! Some for pure aesthetics, like a Friesian...

Andalusian or Lusitano

or a Rocky Mountain horse (for their unique coloring)

while other breeds I respect for their ability to excel in specific disciplines... like a Hanoverian, Oldenburg or Holsteiner (in show jumping and dressage.)

Actually, I used to board my little cutting bred quarter horse mare at a facility that imported and bred Hanoverians... I remember jogging around the arena on my little pony while these gloriously animated and enigmatic, gladiator size horses trotted by me with all the grace of a prima ballerina shashaying by a hobbit.

It gave Ellie and I bit of a complex.. but then we could spin or stop better than they could... so there! *sticks tongue out*

Some breeds like an Arabian...

Appaloosa, Morgan, Thoroughbred...

Standardbred, Welsh Ponies, Drafts and a cross of all of the above I've had enough personal experience with that the draw, while still there, never quite exceeds the interest I have in my favorite, the reining, cutting or RCH bred Quarter Horse.

There are even some other lines and types of Quarter Horses that I'd love to have, like a really nice Western Pleasure horse, a Hancock, running bred, and/or a big ol' Two Eyed Jack rope horse.

Also, their are some rare and unique breeds that I'd like to see in person, like a Criollo...

Azteca...

or Nokota...

And I'd love to ride a gaited Tennessee Walker and Saddlebred, Peruvian Paso...

or an Icelantic in my lifetime...

Actually, a picture of these amazing itty bitty little horses doesn't suffice...

Check this out!

I did ride a gaited horse (other than a Standardbred) when I was 13 or 14 but I don't remember anything but that it was "weird and like, totally cool!"

Of all the breeds, there are but a handful that I would like to own in my lifetime, (besides a Quarter Horse) because I like the ability, temperament, breeding history and the package those attributes come wrapped up in...

Those breeds would be the:

Austrailian Stock Horse- I've covered...click here for a link

Canadian Horse- I covered yesterday...click here for a link

And these horses, which I intend to do a write-up on this coming week...

The Mustang...

Haflinger...

And Fjord...

These horses often come pony sized but they have a heart as big as any horse and some really neat attributes.

Which horse of all of the above would you most like to ride?

The Little Iron Horse-The Canadian

(All photos are of the: Stallions of Cherry Creek Canadians)

The Canadian Horse- a breed I love not only because it was developed in my homeland but because it is a truly strong, versatile and beautiful type horse with a good mind and work-man-like conformation. This is a breed developed to work, and work hard, in the rough Canadian wilderness. Canadians needed to be tough, hardy keepers, impervious to cold and poor conditions, be able to haul a heavy cart or large logs and hay wagons but also make a dependable and trustworthy saddle horse. Hence the nickname, "The Little Iron Horse". (Little was a relative term as foundation Canadian stock was used to do work commonly assigned to larger draft breeds.)

^{Todays Canadian can vary widely in type and size but they generally stay true to their heritage as an all round breed- sound, and solid minded. I find that the majority look like a robust Friesens. They tend to have loads of long mane and tail and that trademark rich black color. As Canadians are still relatively rare I have only had the opportunity to know a handful of them personally but they have all struck me as being robust, hearty but also beautiful horses with a regal air about them.}

For more information on their unique history, a link: Cheval Canadien

Wikipedia's description of the breed: "The old-style Canadian Horse somewhat resembles the foundation-style Morgan, having large and expressive eyes, a well- structured head and small, delicate ears. Their build is very muscular, compact and stout, with a cresty neck and naturally animated gaits. They are known for having a heavy and wavy mane and tail, good bone and good feet. They are considered to have soundness, hardiness and endurance. They are willing horses and easy keepers.^{[citation needed]}

Most Canadian Horses are black, with bay, chestnut or brown being less common. Their height ranges on average from 14 to 16 hands and they can weigh between 1000–1400 lbs.^[1]

I have wanted to own a Canadian for many years now but have never found just the right one when I have been in the market. I guess I keep looking for one that reminds me most of a Quarter Horse because that is my "type" preference. There is one for sale right now that has my interst....

7 YO Canadian mare, ranch broke $5500

Life is Like That

I dont know if you'all in the States get Readers Digest or not but let me tell you, this little pocket book magazine is a waiting room staple in doctors and dentist office's across the Great Canadian Nation!

It is a collection of entertaining stories, news, recipes, home projects, money matters, health, fitness and my personal favorites, "Life's like That" and "Laughter is the Best Medicine", two columns that are written and sent in by every day folks like you and me. 'Laughter is the Best Medicine' is usually simple straight forward jokes while "Life's like That" is cute stories about life's little idiosyncrasies and every day ironies.

I have a "Life's Like That" and a"Laughter is the Best Medicine" combo story to share. This actually happened quite a few years ago. I still blush when I think of it....

One miserable winter day I found myself waiting in a walk-in-clinic (a doctors office that requires no appointment, you just walk in, leave your name and then *insert sarcasm* wait an hour or two to see a doctor. Health care in Canada is free but rarely speedy.)

Anyways, there I was, sick with heaven knows what, cooped up with a bunch of other people also sick with God knows what, the lot of us just about as miserable as they come. It seem to remember that I had that kind of body ache that makes your bones throb, a feverish chill and a head that leaded like a sieve. I was tired, irritable and to top it off, I hate, and I do mean hate any kind of waiting room. The only saving grace in this particular office came by way of an endless supply of Readers Digests. I also seem to remember that when I came in to the office there was a line up of people waiting to leave their names- an elderly gray hair lady, a tired looked woman with a fussy and obnoxious toddler at foot and a healthy looking middle aged woman. There were maybe ten people all total waiting to be seen so I settled in and expected an even longer wait than usual.

A half hour passed by quickly, then an hour as I patiently flipped through one Digest after another... more patients pored in and took their seats. Another tired look mom with two kids came in, the kids squealed, cried and fought with each other incessantly, each sound was like a dagger in my head. Then there was this teenage boy who came in and blushed a scarlet red when the receptionist called his name... More people came, and went. After an hour I started to fidget and pay closer attention to who was coming and going. An hour and half later I ran through my last thread of patience and the last copy of Readers Digest. It was right about then that I noticed that same teenage boy coming out from seeing the doctor... For the next 10 minutes I watched...and become increasingly annoyed as each of the people I clearly remembered coming in well after me made there way out the door...

Finally, I had it! I threw my Readers Digest down on the table and stomped up to the receptionist's desk. I imagine that my face would have been flushed with anger....my voice quivered with rage.... I indignantly hissed through my teeth....

"Ex-cuuuuuse ME! But I doooo believe that you must have skipped my name on the list!! I came in before that teenager and WELL before that lady with the two kids! And... and... *insert finger waving, neck bobbing, pissed off female body language* I have been waiting for nearly TWO hours!!! I am sick and I am tired. And I want to see a doctor NOW"

The receptionist looked up at me and simply said....

"Uh... well.... I am sorry but, you never did come up to the desk or give your name. I saw you come in and sit down but I just assumed you were waiting for someone. I am sorry but I have just been so busy, I kept meaning to come over and ask you what you were waiting for..."

It was then that I remembered how I was too tired and sore to stand in line and leave my name... that I thought I would just sit down a minute and wait for it to clear.... that I had then picked up a Readers Digest and lost myself in the world of "Life is Like That" and "Laughter is the Best Medicine".... and forgot that I wasnt on the list at all...

What could I do but apologize profusely and share in the receptionist's laughter.... because...

Life is like that.

And laughter is the best medicine for a bad case of humiliation!

Geldings Gone Wild

So I have two really close friends with a similar problem... they both own mares that tend to be a little....hmmm.... scanky, shall we say (during their heat cycle) and both of their mares are stabled with geldings who are in denial about their "gelded" status and therefor feel the compulsive need to over compensate for what they are lacking by demonstrating, more than once or twice a day, just how much of a stud they are!!

We are talking about two separate barns in the same town... (must be somethin' in the water! Which would explain a little about the people too! ) One of the gelding was in a herd of 3 mares and 1 gelding and the other was with 3 mares and 3 geldings.)

So what is with these geldings gone wild!!??

Some say they act "studdy" because they were gelded late.

Others say it is because they were not gelding properly (completely).

Some claim that these horses are just plain ol' studdy for no good reason at all besides the fact that they are, (despite a lack of testicles) simple male.... Boys will be boys, and all that...

Both of these geldings ended up having to be separated from the general herd because they were mounting and (excuse me) actually entering the mares!!!

Both geldings tend to be studdy outside of the herd as well... they can be aggressive to handle, difficult, nippy, pushy, and hard headed. Both will drive off other geldings from "their" mares and one of them actually charged (but deeked at the last second) a person coming to get her mare from the field.

Unfortunately both geldings are owned by "newbies" (go figure!) and I fear that both of them do not appreciate that this kind of behavior, IMHO, is a big flashing DANGER sign!

I think that if a horse acts like a stud, it should be treated with the same extra care and caution that you would if he actually were a stallion.

What is your experience with geldings who act like studs?

Necks!

I have a thing for necks. On men and horses! Men should have nice strong necks, dont you think?! And horses should too! But I am going to go all Goldilocks on you again and say that in my mind, a horses neck needs to be juuuuuust right! Not to long, not to short, not to heavy, not to light, not to high, not to low, not to.... okay you get the point.




What is considered ideal in style, shape, length etc. of a neck really do vary from breed to breed and sport to sport. I have found that unlike straight legs or good feet, there are no rules when it comes to them. But when judging a neck here are the different parts that I look at individually and then how they relate as whole:




1. The throat latch-




2. The angle of the poll-




3. The overall length-




4. How it ties in at the wither




5. How it ties in at the chest-




6. Shape of the bone within-




7. Length of topline vs. Shortness of the bottom line-




8. The angle at which it comes out of the neck-




9. Overall balance-

Lets look at Smart Chic Olena,

Blasted Blooming Bloody Buds of April

I am cursing the flowers.

The F'in buds of April. The bloody green grass and friggin' bloomin' blasted cherry blossoms. Bastards!

LOL

Sorry, I had a little outburst.

Every year... without fail... from about April till the end of June, you will catch me scowling fiercely at anything that blooms... you may hear me natter something unintelligible... a string of profanity as I eyeball an offending flower, tree or lawnmower....

Yesterday, I tried to ignore the throb between my eye brows.... The congestion in my nose.... My itchy eyes and lack of energy... I moved about the house sluggishly... trying to deny the obvious...

It is here.

Cursed. Seasonal. Allergies.

Excuse me while I cry. *wipes tear from cheek*

And please excuse me if for the next month or two I become ornery (or more ornery than usual, I should say). And if I swear occasionally for no good reason. Oh... and if I dont post much because I am too busy running around town with a chain saw and a box of kleenex cutting down every stand of Cottonwood, Alder, Rhododendrons, or Cherry trees like some long haired, red eyed, snot nosed logger gone postal!

Sorry. I'll be back sometime in July.

Till then, my friends. *aaaaachhhoooo*

Watcher in the Woods

Does anyone remember the movie, "The Watcher in the Woods"?

I do.... vagually. I was only about 7 or 8 years old when I watched it (on more than one occasion) with my big sister, arms linked together, a blanket over our heads, the blue light of the television casting an erry glow in the black room as we shrieked and giggled, scared silly, eyes glued to the screen. I was terrified of that movie but for some reason we watched it again and again. But that was years and years ago.... I forgot about the movie... and the "watcher in the woods".... until...

I was downloading the photos I took last night and the above one of Hawkydog came up....and triggered the long lost and deeply supressed memories of that movie. In a moment I could feel the ghost of those same emotions.... the same heart racing, throat closing, stomach knotting anxiety I had once had as a child, watching a very scary movie.

And in that moment I figured out that "The Watcher in the Woods" is the single and unrefutable sourse of my irrational and acute fear of all things paranormal. Isnt it odd how a single smell, sight or sound can trigger a memory only just moments before had been long lost to time and the other countless happenings of life lived between then and now?

'Ya know?

Just like your first kiss, your first love and your first horse... your first scary movie sticks with you. Do you remember yours?

2009 Stud Fee: $22,500

(Warning: Todays post contains content some may find offensive, more specifically- ephemisms for semem- Get over it.... It's my blog and I'll talk about love java if I want to!)

I was checkin' out studs today...'cause thats just what I do. I'm talkin' horses here... honest. In reining your top sires run anywhere from $3500- $7500... Reined cowhorses are about the same. WP'ers, HUS, Barrel horses, Halter horses, you can get a true Legend for under $7,500- easy..... But with cutting horses that kind of money will only buy you a good, producing, performing and solid stud.... but not a great... No, not a great. 'Cause with cutting horses its all about the blood! If you want to get the Mojo of a true great, a Legend.... you gotta pay, baby....oh, you gotta pay big...

For example, the truly freakish, truly awesome and nearly untouchable High Brow Cat....

I went to his website today and found this:

-"Stud Fee for 2009: $22,500

+ chute

Thank you!

Booked full for 2009"

You might be asking, who in God's green earth is High Brow Cat and why in tarnation would anyone pay $22,500 dollars for his love serum!!?? (I've read one to many Nora Roberts books, havent I?)

High Brow Cat is a phenomenon in the cutting world. You see as in Thoroughbred racing, so much of what makes a cutting horse great comes down to pure and simple genetics. And, when the stakes are high enough (as they are in cutting events) and you have a stud that produces freakishly cowy get with a unique style combined with a sought after flare (as High Brow Cat does), you can demand the big bucks for his baby batter. (Dont look at me like that, I didnt make it up!)

Let me hit you with this stat:

In 2008 his 445 performing offspring won an average of $16,688 a day!

A son or daughter of High Brow Cat won the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity (the Kentucky Derby of Cutting) in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008

His offspring have won over $33 Million

So the answer is, people pay $22,500 for his swimmers because they make money, moo-lah, deniro.... And lots of it.

Oh yah, and they look pretty damn hot doin' it too...

Now there just happens to be another Legendary sire that demands a hefty price tag and shares a common name, the great TB sire Storm Cat.

His stud fee in 2007 was a cool half mill ($500,000). Yah.

Like I said, its all in the blood.

And you gotta pay for the good stuff.

Lets leave you off with some video of the only cutting horse that statistically can stand up to High Brow Cat...

The truly awesome, the Legendary Smart Little Lena.... (fast forward to a minute in for some cool footage of him cutting)

The Darling Buds of April

A low gray cloud, blown in by some bitter wind,
came to fill the valley around my home,
to turn loose a rain so cold,
it bit and nipped at the earth
and boiled the air into a steamy fog
before giving way to flakes of heavy wet snow.

A darkness, so rich it painted the sky a solemn gray at dawn,
lay weightily over the hearts and souls of the men belows its harbor...
Sinking those who bore the black waters of winter, who had tread towards the light in hope that the lion might not smother the lamb.

Going to bed one steely black night,
with no promise of a brighter morn,
they arose to find a new warm wind had driven the dark over the mountains
and brought to rise a gentle pink sunrise- the promise of a fine day.

This morning, the sun shone down,
laying its golden touch on each and every tender bud,
setting alight the new green grass and filling the air with the smells and sounds of Spring.

The darling buds of April....

Photos and Poem by Chelsi