Friday

I Love a Parade ... Don't You?

I Love a Parade ... Don't You?

If everything goes as planned, I'll be riding in a parade within the next few days in Wisconsin. A Wild West group has invited me to join them for a small-town festival parade.

In May, I had the privilege of participating in the Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky - as part of the festivities for Kentucky Derby Week.

I Love a Parade!

(Have you ever been in a parade? Please leave a comment - below - to tell us about it!)

In fact, with July 4th right around the corner, parades are springing up all over the Badger State (and nationwide). Here's a link to an online listing of many of Wisconsin's 4th of July parades this year:


No American 4th of July Independence Day celebration is complete without a 4th of July parade. All over Wisconsin, equestrians and other parade participants are preparing ...  Keep Reading »
 
Here's an old cartoon classic from Merrie Melodies. It's "I Love a Parade," by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg (from 1932).
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Thursday

Hearing Heavy Horses

Hearing Heavy Horses

A friend wore a neat and nostalgic tee shirt (bearing this old Jethro Tull "Heavy Horses" album cover) to the barn yesterday - on a hot and muggy summer afternoon.

The thunder rumbled in the distance, as we watched a dark curtain of clouds coming in from the West. The young horses romped and ran in the far pasture, awaiting the wild weather to come.

Although most of the younger horses are half-Arabian sport horse, Quarabs (Quarter Horse/Arab crosses), half-Hackneys (Hackney/Arab crosses) and National Show Horses (Arab/Saddlebred crosses), their hoof beats added to the memory of this classic rock song.

What memories this evoked.

Do you love heavy horses? Have you ever ridden (or driven) a draft horse? What's your favorite heavy horse - the Belgian, the Clydesdale, the Percheron, the Shire or another?

Here's an oldie for heavy horse lovers. It's "Heavy Horses," by Jethro Tull.

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Wednesday

OK, So a Horse Walks into a Bar, and . . .

OK, So a Horse Walks into a Bar, and . . . 

This actually happened.

In Tampa, Florida, mounted police are allowed to walk through certain shops and even bars.

This video shows a police horse (and his police officer rider) taking a stroll through Habibi's Hookah Bar (located on 7th Avenue in Ybor City). This bar, a tobacco cafe, has a joint covered promenade with Phat Katz Tattoo Parlor.

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Doesn't this video beg a caption? How would you label this one?

* Don't Rock the Jukebox, as You Trot on By
* Excuse Me, But Were You Born in a Barn?
* Is It Just Me, or Is It Getting a Little Deep in Here?
* Stickler for Local Justice
* Police Horse Pick-Up Lines
* Trying to Curry Favor with the Locals?
*  Who Wants to Pony Up for the Next Round?

What captions can you suggest?

Sunday

Cat-tle Roundup

Cat-tle Roundup

Cowboy
by Charles Edwin Fripp 
circa 2906

 Here's a scene you don't see often, out on the range ...
... but it surely must make the fur fly.


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This sort of gives "Git along, little dogies" a whole new meaning. What sort of roundup is this, anyway?








Wednesday

Borrowed Phrasings

Borrowed Phrasings

I lost my dear mare a few days ago ... and I am (for once) without words.

Here are some classic borrowed phrasings, known as "The Rainbow Bridge for Horses."

Anyone who has ever said goodbye to a much-loved horse may be familiar with "The Rainbow Bridge for Horses," but the words may touch us all nonetheless. A friend included this sweet poem in a handwritten card, which touched my heart.

You can find the poem online and read it, if you wish.



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Who's Ready to Roll?

Who's Ready to Roll?

Ever tried Offroad Kjoering?



Look what equestrians are doing in Germany ... when they're not show-jumping or riding in the dressage arena.

Take a look at equestrian Kessler Markus and his horse, Tomi II CH, followed by skater Schappi Jonas.

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Guess that's one way to ramp things up with horses and get a jump on the competition, skating right to the Winner's Circle. Who's game? Who's tried this?

Monday

Do You Prefer Biking or Horseback Riding?

Do You Prefer Biking or Horseback Riding?

How about both? I'm not sure where this photo came from originally, but take a look. If choosing between biking and horseback riding gives you the blues, this might be one solution.


Not sure the USEF would approve ... but it looks like fun nonetheless.