The Equestrian Blog

Be warned – Horsetail, Mares Tail or Scouring Rush

Just a quick question... As horse owners we're mostly all familiar with the battle against ragwort and how it has spread into every field, central reservation and grass verge in the country, but how many of us know anything about mares tail?

Horse or Mares Tail, (scientific name Equisetum Palustre), is toxic to horses and should in my opinion be equestrian enemy number one. It looks like it belongs in Jurassic Park and spreads like wildfire. From a few small patches last year my paddock is now covered in it and it looks as if it's spreading fast and here to stay.

I've been researching this plant and what I've discovered doesn't make for pleasant reading.. more at Mares Tail - Toxic To Horses

The Ultimate Equestrian Figure?

Posted by debbie | Filed under General Info, Worth Mentioning

Chinese Tang Dynasty Horse If you're anything like me you don't just like horses, you like everything connected with horses. From horsey clothes to pictures of horses and especially collectable horse figures.

My house is 'tastefully', littered with equestrian figures of all shapes and sizes, made from bronze, porcelain and even silver. My favourite is my original Harriet Glen Jumping Horse, a bronze which cost me just under £2000 at Ascot races in the early 90's and I especially love my small collection of Royal Worcester horse heads.

But, I think the Chinese Tang Dynasty figure up for auction next week is one I would have the perfect place for. It looks magnificent and I am sorely tempted to max that credit card I just paid off and go for it. Have a look and see what you think, the auction is online on the 7th, 8th and 9th February and is hosted by, New Orleans Auction Galleries.

Lot No 178 describes the Chinese horse figure as;

Extremely Rare Chinese Black Clay Tomb Figure of a Horse, Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), the finely modeled figure standing on three feet with the fourth slightly lifted, wearing a riderless saddle, the mane, eyes, nostrils and saddle detail finely etched, the horse dynamically modeled with great strength and presence, presented on an acrylic base, h. 16", l. 17". Provenance: Blackamoor Antiques.

The use of black fired clay is unusual and rare in unglazed tomb figures and combined with the dynamic motion of this figure sets it apart from the mainstream of Tang equestrian figures. This piece has been thermoluminescent tested and the dating is confirmed by the testing.

The Auction Estimate is £3,500 to £5,600, ($5000 to $8000), would that be a wise investment or a ridiculous extravagance given the current state of affairs.