The Equestrian Blog

Quote Of The Day – Gladdagh Gypsy

Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.

Saying of the Gladdagh Gypsies of Galway

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The Gypsy horse was bred by the Romany people, better known as Gypsies, of England and Ireland.Bred from Shires, Clydesdales, Freisian, Fell and Dale ponies, these horses have existed for hundreds of years.

The horses were an integral part of their life and pulled the colorful wagons that were the gypsy peoples  homes.

Often cared for by the children, it was essential that the horses be kind and quiet, with a willing disposition.

They also had to be hardy, sound and easily kept due to the nature of their lives.

Just another horse cruelty case !!

I picked this up on the Horse & Hound news feed and although the woman in question has been reported, caught, convicted and sentenced; that ain't the problem.

It's the punishment .....  and how it just does not fit the crime

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a woman who has a history of horse cruelty.

She had received an adult caution last year for neglecting two ponies so badly they had to be put down.

"His body was covered in large areas of hair loss and raw skin as a result of self mutilation. He was obviously in a great deal of discomfort."

In her absence Alcroft was banned from keeping equines for 10 years and the ILPH was awarded custody of Bobby, Milo and Cally.

A history of cruelty to horses. Two ponies killed because of her and another three left to suffer horrendously and what did she get........ An adult caution, which she apparently ignored, and banned from keeping horses for 10 years.

Will she ? Do we really believe she won't simply set up again somewhere else .

Why is the law such an ass where animal welfare is concerned, especially when there is a history of cruelty. Surely, this woman deserves some sort of physical confinement, a significant fine or just a good hard slap?

(Full Story >> )

Quote Of The Day – Charles de Kunffy

The horse knows how to be a horse if we will leave him alone... but riders don't know how to ride. What we should be doing is creating riders and that will take care of the horse immediately.

Charles de Kunffy

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Charles de Kunffy's equestrian credentials and reputation are as difficult to abbreviate as they are to duplicate.

Charles de Kunffy is a much-appreciated clinician, a sought after dressage judge, an author of several books, many articles, and introductions to the writings of others. 

He was born and raised in Hungary as a member of the nobility whose parents were eminent horse breeders with derby winning racehorses.  He started riding as a child, always under expert supervision and instruction and his riding masters were educated during the golden age of equitation 1900-1945. 

Cross-country riding, jumping and dressage were melded into one comprehensive riding theory and methodology. 

Mr. de Kunffy was schooled in the strictest adherence to classical training traditions based on scholarship and a profound respect for the horse.

I bet you wish you lived in France !!

You've just gotta love the French.

When you read foward thinking articles like this one.....

French towns worried about fuel prices, pollution and striking transport workers need look no further than the horse.

Horses are a possible alternative for vehicles such as school buses and refuse trucks, say groups eager to pick up on global concerns about eco-friendly transport.

"It's all about sustainable development and bringing some humanity back to today's monotonous, machine-driven jobs," Stephane de Veyrac, from the French National Stud Organisation, said at this week's annual conference of French mayors.

(excerpt ...... read more)

A little bit of horse talk !!

Two show stallions are arguing over who should take best of breed.

The first one says, “I’ll agree you are the closest I have ever seen to my equal, but my legs are just a bit straighter than yours, and you know, the legs are of prime importance: no foot, no horse!”

The second horse says, “I’ll allow your legs are just a bit better than mine, but mine are the legs I was born with, and I know for a fact that you've spent thousands on corrective work. Your foals will inherit your natural legs, not your genius farriers work.”

The first horse mulls this over for a moment; then says, “You’re right. I stand corrected…”