RWR to be accompanied by riderless horse named "Sgt. York" in DC funeral procession (photo)

Yahoo News ^ | 6/7/04

[AnAmericanMother]

Thanks, Hair, I shoulda known you'd have the info on Reagan's horse. Do you know if it's a Polish or Egyptian Arab?

If I had a hot horse, I'd longe him anyhow, just to get the kinks out.

[HairOfTheDog]

Do you know if it's a Polish or Egyptian Arab?

All I know is that he's too big for an Egyptian, and the horse doesn't have the teacup head and porcelain features of the really typey Egyptian.

So, Polish, or a hybrid mix of the two, like my Bay is.

[HairOfTheDog]

My pleasure!

[AnAmericanMother]

I prefer the Polish bloodlines, but that's just me.

They seem to cross better with the T'bred.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, the Polish are nice big horses, and popular for their versatility that way. But the extreme features of the Egyptian are a work of art. They are like a porcelain or bronze sculpture.

They just aren't very big. maybe that adds to their artistic look, to be so apparently delicate. My Egyptian stallion was 14.3 hands.

[AnAmericanMother]

I guess coming from the T'bred and QH world I'm just used to a more substantial horse as my ideal.

But you're right, the Egyptians are gorgeous. Lovely to look at.

[HairOfTheDog]

'Lovely to look at' is their appeal. ;~D

[AnAmericanMother]

'Handsome is as handsome does.' ;-)

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, they're tough little guys. Can run all day in the desert, they can.

[proud American in Canada]

fascinating history! Thank you for posting it.

Does someone have the story of the Secret Service agent who had to ask the President to stop riding? That's a touching story.

[elbucko]

This is not going to be an easy week.

It's already tough. However the bitter, as bad as it is, is overwhelmed by the sweet memory and the legacy of this great horseman.

[HairOfTheDog]

I have heard ~about~ this story, but I haven't seen it. If you do see it again, ping me, OK?

[elbucko]

"...was that the horses are given "crewcuts" just like the men. Their manes are shaved."

A shaved mane is called "Roached". Most of the horses I rode poking cows as a kid had roached manes. It just makes it easier to care for the horse under working conditions. To some a it's a Western fashion, others a utility. After I learned to ride English, I learned the utility (and maintenance) of a full mane.

[earlyamerican]

Perfect horse.

[HairOfTheDog]

I roached my mustang's mane, because it was thick on both sides of his neck.... A mane from heck.

Alternately, my friend roaches his appy's mane because it is so thin and scraggly standing straight up.

[elbucko]

"if I were in charge, I would have the horse carry Reagan's own saddle and boots."

So would I. One of Reagans saddles is a beautiful Italian, "A. Pariani" English style saddle. "Pariani's" were the top of the line English saddles in their day. My Dad bought mine (that I still have) second hand. Though the Pariani saddle on display at the library is traditional English tan, in color, I don't think it would look out of place if counter pointed appropriately with similar color tack.

[HairOfTheDog]

I agree! I don't think any saddle would be out of place if it was his. That his is a nice english saddle, especially so.

[elbucko]

"I don't think any saddle would be out of place if it was his...."

I don't either. I would, in fact, consider it fitting that Reagan's tack be different from the tack of his predecessors. JFK's was a national tragedy, LBJ's 20 years too late. Reagan's state ceremony is a national funeral and the celebration of a great man. An individual. His tack should be as individual as he was.

[My back yard]

I should have known you would be all over this. lol Ping for the guys I work with. We all love Reagan here in this litte office.

[Wolfstar]

I heard today that they will use Reagan's own boots.

Good morning, Mystery-ak and all others interested in the riderless horse. I just logged back on. Last thing I did online yesterday was post this thread and respond to a couple of the early comments on it.

Wow, Mystery, I didn't know they were going to use RWR's own boots. That will be heart-wrenching, but so appropriate.