Make A Wish

This might be as close to My Boy as I get today. I am on the couch watching Free Willy 2 on the Hallmark channel. Okay, okay, so I only get basic cable and I'm limited on choices. Half of my head feels like cement and I have chills. I have only been back in the germ factory (the classroom) a week and this is what happens. I had so much to do at the Painted Creek today. I wanted to ride my horse, clean his turnout shed and water trough, winter-prep his pasture, watch my sister give the neighbor guy a riding lesson for his horseback elk-hunting trip.....but I can't even venture beyond my living room. Best laid plans. Right now, I'm just wishing to get rid of this headache so I can feel productive and horse around. Even if I could just get my horse groomed and longed and feed him some cookies, I would be happy.

Speaking of wishes, I got an email from my friend this morning who has been a volunteer for the Make-a-Wish foundation. She thought it might be helpful to put out the word of this child's wish as it is horse-related.

I can not get the pdf. document to copy or save so that I could get the girl's picture in this post, but this is what the flyer read:

Help Make-a-Wish make Elizabeth's dream come true! Elizabeth is a sweet 14 year old girl in Washington state that is battling cancer. She loves horses more than anything in the world and works at a stable teaching lessons. We are looking to buy (or hopefully have donated) a horse for Elizabeth's wish. Biz wants a well-trained Paint pony for western and english games. Does anyone you know have any connections? The horse will live many happy years with as much love and affection that a 14 year old can give! Make-a-Wish will also supply one year's worth of food, training, vet needs, saddle/grooming supplies for the horse, any connections?

If you can help in any way or might know someone who can, send me an email at ponygirlridesagain@gmail.com and I will get you in contact with the person handling the wish. Thanks everyone!

Gentle Giants?

At the opening ceremony of the Rodeo I attended last weekend, I got to see three different teams of draft horses put on wagon demonstrations. There were Percherons, Belgians, and Clydesdales. I have not seen draft horses up close and personal since I was a little girl at the state fair a couple of decades ago.

Later, when we strolled through the horse barns, we were able to see the drafts up close. The Clydesdale's were in stalls, while the Percherons and Belgians were just tied in "chutes", their large hineys facing the isle. I took a few pictures of the big golden guys.


One Clydesdale was lying in his stall and we could see how massive his hoof was. I have never seen a hoof that big. It would take around 5 of My Boy's hooves to equal one of those! I can't imagine shoeing a draft! Or getting your toe stepped on by one!

I made a few observations while admiring these ginormous equines. For one, the draft horses were particularly mellow in their stalls. Even the ones that were just tied in the chutes, which were open to the isle way behind them, appeared to be cocking a leg and falling asleep. They were not fussing, pulling back, or pawing a hole. Nor were they spooking as fair goers were walking behind them. Any child could have ran right up to one of those big golden hineys and one of those horses could have kicked out.

Second, one Clydesdale, "Glen", had nothing but a lead rope tied across the front of his stall. All he had to do was lean on it slightly and it probably would have broken. He leaned his head over the rope and let passerbyer's stroke him. I rubbed my hand softly over the top of his eye and he closed it. His head was so large and so tall, I can't imagine trying to halter one of these guys!

Now, I have a few questions, that perhaps some of you draft horse experts or enthusiasts might be able to answer.

1. What is a typical draft horse's temperament like? I am speculating the term "gentle giant" came from these giants of the equine world? I did not see any foul temperaments or nervous energy coming from these teams. And I would hope not, as a horse that large and equally difficult could be a huge danger.

2. Do draft breeds live as long as other, smaller breeds of horses? I wonder if their massive size is challenging on their bones, legs, and body organs?

3. Have you ever owned a draft or draft horse cross and what characteristics did you notice the blood brought to your horse?

Any additional thoughts or comments or stories about drafts horses?