Wednesday

Cowboys and Caprioles?

Cowboys and Caprioles?

What a fun video.

Which takes more skill, dressage or Western riding? Check out this video, if you're not sure. (Can't tell much about the uploader, but try to ignore the wild whooping of the anonymous camera operator ... it's a little much.)

Still, the musical movements and interactions between the two horses and riders make this equestrian performance video well worth the watch.

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Tuesday

Whoa! Who are the a$$e$ now?

Whoa! Who are the a$$e$ now?

File this one under animal cruelty, advertising stunts gone bad or simply bad taste.

Russian marketers set up an animal stunt on a beach on the Sea of Azov in southern Russia. Presumably, the event was intended to promote parasailing. The admen tied a donkey into a parasailing harness and launched the frightened equid over the water.

But the terrified donkey brayed loudly and panicked, as beach crowds watched.

Looks like the ad backfired, resulting in poor publicity worldwide.

How do you feel about flying or parachuting donkeys? What about animals in advertising?

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Wednesday

Sad Stampede - Iowa Parade Tragedy

Sad Stampede - Iowa Parade Tragedy

Many condolences to the parade participants and spectators in Bellevue, Iowa, this past weekend.

Equestrian drivers and horseback riders know parades can be particularly tricky with horses. Even the calmest mounts (and carriage horses) can be startled by sudden sights and sounds. Tack can break.

Despite the parade horse tragedy in Iowa, countless other parades went off without a hitch (so to speak) this past weekend. Perhaps we can all count our blessings ... each time a parade finishes without incident.

Personally, I'm planning to participate in another parade or two ... later this season. Guess I will check my bridles an extra time or two before mounting up.

May God bless and comfort the Iowa parade victims and their families.

And let's be careful out there.

A 60-year-old Iowa woman was killed, and at least 23 others were injured, when a pair of carriage horses panicked and bolted during a 4th of July parade...
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Randy Kittleson, DPM, of Verona, Wisconsin, was injured by a pair of runaway carriage horses during a 4th of July parade in Bellevue, Iowa, on Sunday,...
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