A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-21-03....My Kingdom for a Horse

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

I've loved horses since I was a little girl but never had one until I was married. The beautiful sorrel above is "Little John", a Registered Quarter Horse - little only because, at just under 15 hands, he was 'slightly' smaller in stature than the others we've had. Most of the horses we've owned have been Quarter Horses - they seem to be the horse of choice here. Let me first say that I'm not a great rider (that's Mr. B's forte - he grew up with them - his dad probably put him in the saddle before he could walk!) As for me, mostly I just like to look at them. :) I am in awe of these gorgeous animals!

The horses pictured below are only a few of the well-known breeds, and you can find additional information on some of the more distinctive gaited breeds, as well as the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales, in the links that follow their photos a little further down.

The Quarter Horse breed, stockier than a Thoroughbred, is a great all-around pleasure and working horse - a good "cowboy" or "cowgirl" horse, he is both strong and quick! The Thoroughbred, with his tall, lean body, is built for speed and racing. However, in my opinion, Arabians are the most beautiful and graceful of all - they are known for their high, arched necks, a dish nose and long, flowing manes. The Peruvian Paso horse has a very distinct gait, and is said to be one of the smoothest horses to ride. An Appaloosa, like a Dalmation, cannot hide his spots! They are very colorful and, if our Western movies are to be believed, must have been a favorite of the American Indian. :)

Before there were "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", there was the horse. Dog may be Man's Best Friend, but before there was other transportation, a horse was as essential to man as life; and if one were caught stealing another's horse, he would be shot, or hanged. Steal his wife and you may survive, but steal his horse and death was certain - and it was justified.

One of the most amazing things about a horse is that those four legs look so fragile when compared to the rest of their bodies, not to mention the additional weight of a saddle and rider, which they carry so effortlessly!

Amazingly fast, incredibly strong, tirelessly proud, fantastically gentle, he is a huge dark beast that touches the hearts of all who meet him.

He has known joy and violence. Felt the warmth of children and the cruelty of abuse. He has nearly died saving lives and nearly been killed by a drunken act. He has known the finery of grand estates and the filth of stinking slums. He has survived fire and flood, starvation and torment.

And nothing could break his spirit - or his great love. This is his life. He is called the horse. ~ Anna Sewell ~

Clydesdales

The Clydesdale is a good, active mover. Cow hocks, a characteristic of this breed, contribute to the strong power the Clydesdale produces. The withers are often higher than the croup to promote better traction. The lower legs are characterized with heavy, silky feathers. They are usually 16.2 hands high to 17.2 hands, and weigh a ton or more. Clydesdales are generally bay, brown, or black. White is very predominant on the face and legs, and may run up on to the body. Perhaps the most famous of all Clydesdales are the Budweiser Clydesdale horses.

Today, the Clydesdales are a living symbol of Anheuser-Busch, the largest brewer in the world. Impressive in size and remarkable in precision, their thrilling performances are enjoyed throughout the U.S.

The Budweiser horses are raised in two locations - Menifee, California and St. Louis, Missouri. They own between 225 and 250 horses, which is the "largest herd in the world." However, very few of these horses are used for appearances because they must have a specific color and markings.

The Dancing White Stallions
The Lipizzaner Stallions Home Page

The Lipizzan is a rare and unique breed; its history and culture is known worldwide. The Walt Disney movie "The Miracle of the White Stallions", depicting General George S. Patton saving them at the end of World War II from certain extinction, created an even greater worldwide interest in the Lipizzaner breed. Had it not been for Patton, there would be no Lipizzans today.

The Lipizzaner Stallions are on their 33rd Anniversary Tour in 2003. When you see the Lipizzans perform, it is like stepping back four hundred years and viewing one of the greatest equine ballets in history.

Tennessee Walking Horses

The Tennessee Walking Horse breed evolved from the Narragansett Pacer, Canadian, Morgan, Standardbred, Thoroughbred and American Saddlebred. These bloods were bred into one animal in the Tennessee bluegrass region. By doing this it resulted in one of the best show and trail riding horses. Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' Association has nearly 300,000 registered horses in the United states today.

The Tennessee Walker has a long sloping shoulder, a long sloping hip. The colors of the Walking Horse can vary; any color is acceptable. The Tennessee Walking Horse also performs three very distinct gaits: the flat foot walk, running walk and canter. These gaits are what make the Tennessee Walking Horse so famous. The term ‘big lick’ is used to describe an exaggeration of these gaits, in which the horse has a big reach in front and substantial overstride behind. The flat foot walk can reach speeds of 4 to 8 miles an hour. With the running walk they can reach speeds of 10 to 20 miles an hour. The canter is the smoothest of all of the gaits, with a swift and gentle ride.

A pen & ink sketch I did for the program of a
Charity Horse Show in Dallas a few years ago.

One of our most beloved heros made many Western movies before becoming the Governor of California and later the President of the United States. The sketch below shows that the good guys not only wear white hats - they ride white horses, as well. :)

Hope you've enjoyed these little vignettes of a few of God's Finest creatures. Here's a final photo and a touching prayer I found; the author is unknown.

Give me food and drink and care for me. And when the day's work is done, shelter me. Give me a clean bed and leave me not too small a place in the stable. Talk to me, for your voice often takes the place of reins; be good to me and I shall serve you more gladly and love you. Don't tear at the reins. Don't reach for your crop when we come to a hill. Don't beat me or hit me if I misunderstand. Don't think me disobedient if I fail your will; perhaps there is something wrong with my harness or my hooves. A bad tooth - you know how that hurts. Don't tether me too tight and don't crop my tail - it's my only weapon against mosquitoes and flies.

Let me ask this of you in the name of Him who was born in the stable. And when the time comes, Dear Master, when I am no longer of use to you, don't let me starve, or freeze, nor sell me. Don't give me to a stranger who works me slowly to death and feeds me not; but be kind and prepare me for a quick and merciful end. God will reward you for it, now, and through eternity. And I shall come to you, always...... running.

~ unknown ~

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-17-03 Military Monday 11-18-03 Chief Disruptor Chad Fairbanks 11-19-03 A Visit to Rainbow Bridge 11-20-03 John Huang Essay

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45MAN danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[sweetliberty]

"You feel like you're riding a wheelbarrow - downhill all the time. And jumping . . . forget it! They're not jumping horses."

I have heard that, but they have no equal for beauty, and, as you said, nobility. The black ones are beautiful too, but they don't photograph well. This is the best one I could find of a black. Most of them, you can't make out their facial features.

.

[JustAmy]

Thank you for the beautiful thread. These horses are beautiful. I've never been around them much, but they are magnificent beasts.

I've only read the intro but hope to get back to the thread later this evening to read the rest.

Thank you again.

[AnAmericanMother]

My son is hyperactive and ADHD and one of the most accident-prone kids on the face of the earth.

When he gets on a horse, he is poetry in motion. He is a little short fireplug (like me) but a natural rider with tremendous balance and drive. And like many ADHD kids he's absolutely fearless, and he takes no guff off any horse. It's a pleasure to watch him handle a difficult horse, and HE enjoys doing something that he is naturally "the best" at . . . my daughter has the perfect equitation body (long legs, short body, very thin) but she is a bit tense in the saddle and unbalances forward.

Go ahead and start some lessons with the best instructor you can find. You'll love it. I'd recommend my trainer, but she's west of Kennesaw Battlefield Park!

[Billie]

I don't think you need to go as far as Mr. Stubbs the English horse painter did and start visiting slaughterhouses to sketch the musculature . . . that's carrying devotion a bit far it seems to me.

Not to worry - I won't be visiting any slaughter houses. :) Prefer the live ones, andI actually enjoy brushing a horse - have trimmed a few whiskers and ears, too. :)

[Billie]

Thanks, Amy. Big ole' hugs, and can't wait til Monday. :)

[MEG33]

Hoping you get relief soon...This thread is so great,read and enjoy when you can.(((((((((((((Wolfie)))))))))))))

[Billie]

...This thread is so great,read and enjoy when you can

Thanks, Meg. He had asked me to send him a link in his FR Mail - knew he would like the horses (the little cowpokette in the topper is one that he found for me).

[MEG33]

Great.I'm going back for another look..remembering a few years ago on a West Texas farm,I got on a horse.It stood there,turned it's head and looked at me in disdain so as to say"You don't know a thing about ridin' and so I'm not movin'!Smart horse!

[Billie]

LOL!

I have to go - will check back in later this evening. Thanks for stopping back in, Meg.

[WVNan]

Sorry I posted and ran Billie. That happens all the time now. That's one reason I don't post as much any more. I have some of my old drawings, but Lord only knows where they are at the moment. I was a fair artist, but not as good as you. Haven't drawn any for years.

Yes, Wyoming, if you ever get the opportunity. I have traveled all 48 of the lower U.S. states and Wyoming is my absolute favorite to visit. Jackson Hole and the Tetons and the lakes are awesome. They give you a spiritual feeling that is overwhelming. Much more so than the mountains of Colo. Yikes, I have to run again. Going to a revival. BBL. Loveya.

[Aquamarine]

Had already posted this picture taken of a horse in Cades Cove recently but this looks like a good time to post it again.

[lonestar]

This has been a very good year for pecans and I have sent each of you 5 lbs. of pecan halves.

Your pecans are in the mail! Enjoy!

[Aquamarine]

Are you serious lonestar? How do you know where to send them?

[Aquamarine]

maybe you'd like to tell us more about those out of control wild rides! LOL

The first time I rode a horse was at a YMCA camp in Tulsa, Okla when I was about 9 years old and light as a feather (thin). We had some cowboys there that were supposed to be helping us. When my horse wouldn't go one of the cowboys rode up behind it and slapped it on the rear as hard as he could. It took off like a rocket with me holding on for dear life screaming the whole way. LOL!
I passed everyone in a full gallop with me air borne above the saddle most of the time, just holding onto the reins for dear life. By some miracle the same cowboy caught up with me and the horse right before I gave up and let go. Still can't believe I survived it!

[lonestar]

Are you serious lonestar? How do you know where to send them?

Santa told me.

[Aquamarine]

Aqua, didn't I tell you that the other hostesses were going to turn on you for that Neanderthal graphic?

Look TMan, Teddy made me post that Neanderthal hostess graphic. :)
No really, Billie gave me her blessing to post that. So looks like it's another swing and a miss for you. lol

BTW...Billie, I used an old JH2 text to build yesterdays thread. Apparently it had the old link to the Photo Album. Sorry bout that.

[Billie]

Thanks for the pecans - just in time to make my pecan pies for Thanksgiving. I'm sure they'll be arriving tomorrow. You did overnight them, didn't you? :)

[Billie]

Oh, no! That would be so scary for a 9 year old! Don't think I'd be too anxious to get back on another one after that!

[Billie]

That is so funny about the Freeper Album Link - I never even thought about YOU posting the wrong one! I always copy that bottom part from one of mine in the first place, and I probably DO have some old ones that are wrong. Just for some reason, I decided when I was getting the link to yesterday's thread to just take the lazy way and copy your whole thing and THEN add John's to the bottom.

Well, heck, we probably should be GLAD he's checking so thoroughly!

[deadhead]

Sending you Get Well wishes, Praying for you Wolfie