...and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
I suppose you’ve all heard by now about my little Kerfluffle at a local restaurant, concerning the little dog left inside a closed-up, parked car in the hot, 85 degree summer heat...
I’d do it again, I tell you...might as well make everybody mad. And now I’m getting state and federal laws on my side, too.
A reminder to animal owners not to take dogs with them when traveling during these hot summer days, the vehicle temperature escalates to 120 degrees within 15 minutes inside the cab, and even opening the windows does not help.
Air conditioning is fine, if the engine is left running, but is this safe? The K-9 German Shepherd for the New Castle Police Department died because the AC quit and the officer never came back to check on the dog.
Remember your “Murphy’s Law of Horsemanship,” in that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
There will be plenty of days to go for a ride when the temperatures are not a blast furnace and your dog will be alive to enjoy it.
I feel bad for my Pit Bull mix, Pumpkinhead Staab, when she mopes and looks so sad as I grab my keys and boots and head out the door.
On nice days she loves to hang out of the pickup cab and let her ears flap in the wind, taking in all the smells. She pretends she is flying, and watches every crow, hawk and eagle on our way to the sawmill or grain mill or even down to the lake.
But when I see her panting too hard, I know she needs to stay home; when the heat breaks, there will be many more rides to experience.
If your dog is salivating and panting too hard, is wobbling or collapsing, it is suffering from heat prostration or heat stroke, and is at risk of death.
Do the smart thing, and leave the dog at home.
This week, a couple of ponies are galloping into the Community News.
Ponies and horses are measured in hands, with each hand being equal to 4 inches. A pony is classified as an equine standing under 14.2HH. A height of 14.2HH or more would indicate a horse.
Most ponies have characteristic heads, usually wide through the forehead with a tapering muzzle. In winter, ponies grow exceptionally thick coats, with thick manes and tails.
Throughout the centuries, ponies have been used for many jobs, including working in mines, going to war, joining the circus, pulling chariots and riding and driving.
Let’s discuss the Haflingler Pony.
It is a very old breed with a long history, and due to its geographical isolation, has remained very typey.
It is a sturdy, mountain breed and is durable and tough. They have a nice temperament, are surefooted and make good pack ponies. They are very attractive, with large, kind eyes and are an easy keep.
Haflingers are usually a light chestnut color, with flaxen manes and tails, but can range from rust to palomino to light gold. They should not be taller that 14HH and should appear quite stout and drafty.
The ponies originated near the village of Hafling in the Etschlander Mountains of the southern Austrian Tyrol. The breed has bloodlines that can be traced back to Arabians and a variety of coldblooded (draft) lines, making them ideal for driving, light draft work and also riding.
They are considered a coldblood.
The Haflinger is very popular in Bavaria, Germany, and is often crossed with Arabians. The foals are then bred back to Haflingers and are producing a nice quality animal.
The earliest Haflinger bloodlines are not known, but since 1868, they have been well-documented. The Arabian stallion El Bedavi XXII was presented to the breed in 1868, and his son, Follie, born in 1874, is thought of as the breed’s foundation sire.
Today four of the five bloodlines can trace directly to El Bedavi XXII progeny. The distinct characteristics and looks of the Haflinger do not vary much from pony to pony.
The main breeding facility for Austrian Haflingers is the Jenesien Stud Farm, where the stallions are state- controlled for breed standards and conformation. Foals partake of stringent curing exams and only the very best are kept as stallions to stand at stud.
Haflingers have a gentle nature, kind eyes and strong backs with muscled quarters. The have been described as a “prince in front and a peasant behind.” (1)
Perhaps you have seen local Horseman and Teamster Dave King of Triple Crown Farm in Sandy Lake, driving his wonderful Haflinger Ponies at WPRD or the Crawford County Fair.
Whether in Reinsmanship or Pleasure Driving, Dave is tough to beat.
The next pony to trot on in is the beautiful Hackney Pony, developed in the 19th century by a Christopher Wilson of Westmoreland, England, the result of the stallion, “Saint George,” and a cross with some Fell Pony mares.
Saint George was a Yorkshire Trotter/Norfolk Roadster cross and Christopher Wilson used the progeny of these crosses to produce a fixed type. It is speculated that there is also Welsh Pony in the Hackney bloodlines somewhere, to help retain the pony qualities of the breed.
At first, these ponies were called “Wilson Ponies,” eventually becoming Hackney Ponies at a later date.
Mr. Wilson kept the ponies outside year round, even wintering them in the harsh fells, giving them little care or food. This apparently helped to give the breed incredible toughness and endurance.
The breed was established by the 1880's, and its classy style, snappy trotting action and animated personality helped to make it a great success.
The Hackney Pony shares its bloodlines with the Hackney Horse, along with the breed stud book.
It should not look like a mini Hackney Horse, but should demonstrate true pony qualities. The Hackney Pony has even more motion on the front end than a Hackney Horse, and the hocks have a nice lift on the hind end.
The knee action on the front should be spectacular and snappy, with the pony wearing the bridle nicely, to produce a fluid display. Its neck is muscular and arched, with a set, cropped tail and small, alert ears.
The Hackney Pony is a real spanker, super sharp and super flashy, it turns heads every time it enters the show ring.
They come in brown, bay, black or chestnut and are considered a warmblood. (2)
That’s all for this week. It might just be too hot to Horse Around.
Remember to check water buckets, troughs, and bowls often for horses, dogs, and cats; water is very important in this heat.
Taking off this week at a road trot to the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy Trails to You.”
1, 2: “ Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies,” by Tamsin Pickeral