St Patrick’s Day
’Tis that time of year again don’t you know…
Today is St Patrick’s Day! And what better way
to celebrate than with horses?
Yes, you read that right. Horses and St Patrick’s Day go together like green beer and regrettable decisions.
The Irish have always had a thing for horses. Maybe it’s because they both have a reputation for being a bit wild and unpredictable! But seriously, the ‘capall’ (horse in Old Irish) has a tremendous history in Irish culture and folklore. Having originally been used for transportation, peat harvesting, agriculture, and as a symbol of status and wealth, horses today are still an integral part of Irish life.
Ireland’s rich history of horse breeding and horsemanship dates back centuries, and Irish breeds of horses have long been prized for their strength, versatility, and intelligence and beauty.
- The Traditional Irish Horse (TIH) is the original indigenous Irish Sport Horse breed which was developed in Ireland 200-300 years ago using the Irish Draught, the Thoroughbred and, to a lesser extent, the Connemara Pony.
- The Connemara Pony, which most consider to be the only native breed of Ireland, has a bit of a mythical origin, just like the leprechauns, but they are thought to have arrived with the Celts in Ireland around 2,500 years ago.
- Along with the Kerry Bog Pony, Irish Draught and Gypsy Vanner (originally bred by the Romani people of Ireland). Irish breeds of horses are diverse and versatile and often excel in many different disciplines from show jumping, eventing, fox hunting and racing to driving and pleasure riding.
So this St Patrick’s Day, raise a Guinness to
horses everywhere.
And if you happen to see a green horse, not to worry –
you’re probably just Blootered! *
*Irish slang for drunk
International Women’s Day
They seem to have a ‘Day’ for just about everything…Wednesday was International Women’s Day, “a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.”
Women are problem solvers
In honor of women solving problems by the choices they make I’m sharing excerpts from a story on Horse Network about a woman who took the reins to finally end disagreements with her husband over her horses.
“Despite more than a decade together, three shared dogs, and thousands of dollars spent in couple’s therapy… I spent years looking inward, being asked to reevaluate my love of horses, the sport, and whether their cost—which we all know is rather high—was worth the stress on my marriage.
“My husband never gave it a rest about the vet bills or the farrier costs. He was constantly after me about how much I spent at horse shows, or on my saddle, or new riding clothes…or organic carrots.
“My therapist was adamant that I really hone-in on the relationship that mattered in my life, and I’m happy to say that I’ve finally done it.
Just maybe not in the way he was expecting…”
Protecting Horses
Do you know
March 1st was National
Horse Protection Day?
Unfortunately horses, both domestic and wild, have been subjected to neglect and abuse for decades.
In American horses have always signified freedom.
It’s tragic, the symbol for freedom is not free itself!
In 1971 the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act federally protected horses and burros inhabiting public lands in 10 western states. We see how well that’s worked out. They continue to be rounded up, abused, neglected, malnourished, and even slaughtered.
National Horse Protection Day, also known as. World Horse Day, was first observed in 2005 and we are still working to protect our wild horses and rescue, rehab, and rehome unwanted horses. Yes, National Horse Protection Day WAS March 1st but the need is so great EVERYDAY must be a horse protection day.
YOU can help:
•support a horse through a charity
•donate to your local horse sanctuary
•support organizations that protect and care for horses
•get involved in lobbying efforts to improve legislation on animal welfare
Follow Scott Beckstead, Animal Wellness Action.
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction/ and https://www.facebook.com/scott.beckstead1
Photo: Hilary Halliwell
Time Marches On
Thoughts on Aging
The bruise is fading nicely, a yellow-green shadow of its former glory, and thanks to quantities of ibuprofen so are the aches and stiffness. Surprisingly at my age you don’t recover as quickly as you once did! This incident brought to mind a quote I heard years ago (author unknown) and always loved – it’s becoming my mantra now:
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, bottle of Bourbon in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and shouting
WOO HOO What
a Ride!”
On an age-related roll, here’s another one I love. From Monica Dickens, English writer and Great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens.
“When I can’t ride anymore,
I shall still keep horses as long as I can hobble about with a bucket and a wheelbarrow.
When I can’t hobble,
I shall roll my wheelchair out to the fence of the field where my horses graze and watch them.”
The City Horsewoman (aka The Old Grey Mare) shares her thoughts and queries on life far from the barn. Your feedback and insights are welcome!
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