Cute horse videos

Today's blog post is a collection of a few cute horse videos I found on youtube. Keep in mind that there are many horse rescues out there and they have many horses that are looking for forever homes. Adopting a horse could be more affordable than you think, but the upkeep of a horse can easily run about $300 a month still. The perfect horse just might be out there for you, just waiting for you to find him or her. It isn't just about finding the right horse for you. It's of course also about are you and the horse right for each other? Just something to think about!







Gunilla Wachtel - Kanweienea Kreations

Gunilla Wachtel is a professional artist currently residing in Pennsylvania. She loves animals. She currently has some listings on ebay for which part of proceeds go to different charities, including Hog Heaven Rescue Farm, Inc and some other rescues.

In the Eyes of a Horse

Horse Pendant by TSBeading

“When you look into a horse’s eyes, it’s like he can see into your soul”

That is a quote taken from my late mother when I asked her about her favorite animal and why. Throughout the years I have adored horses from close and from afar. I learned to ride before my back went out, and loved the sweet feeling of freedom on the back of this majestic animal who instinctively knew when I wanted to veer to the right or left, or whether I wanted to go trot, gallop, lope, or just walk quietly along. One particular horse that I rode had been kicked pretty badly when he had a child on his back. That horse took the full blow so as not to disturb or uproot the child, and the child went away unscathed, but for that noble horse it was a different story. The horse had to receive medical attention and therapy for a while, and while his body recovered, he was never the same in his mind. He was leery of other horses getting too close, and I was instructed to keep a distance from the others due to his nervousness. The horse’s leeriness didn’t only stem from the kick, it also stemmed from his instinct to protect his human rider.

Such as the way it is with many domesticated animals. They adopt their humans as much as we humans adopt them, and they instinctually protect their humans as much as most humans instinctually try to protect them. In my opinion, it is extremely unfortunate that not all humans understand and respect this relationship with animals, and even more unfortunate when humans abuse animals, whether they are big or small, whether they are domestic or wild, and that is what I am here to discuss today; wild horses. Wild horses have a long, interesting history in the United States that I won’t get into in this post because I would rather discuss the current issues with wild horses.

Current American wild horses are also known as feral horses because they were at one time domesticated and then set free. These are the horses that helped form the fabric of the United States. Our ancestors had horses that were not only their servants but their companions. These horses aided us in battles, they worked our fields, they pulled our carriages, and they were also our friends. The USA wouldn’t be what it is today without our horses. Yet, today many of them are left to roam and wander the plains, left to fend for themselves. It is deeply disturbing to me that at one time we couldn’t live without them, revered them even, but after that need was gone because of the advances in technology, we leave them out in the cold, and then if that wasn’t enough, we go to extreme measures to get rid of them altogether.

While it may be true that these horses wander out of public lands in search of food or water, it is beyond my comprehension how people can be so cruel to this wondrous animal that was brought here, served us, and was once indispensible. The largest issues with wild horses today are: slaughtering them for animal and human consumption, transporting them for slaughter, the use of experimental drugs on them, the methods used to catch or trap them, and the methods used to transport and care for them after they’ve been caught.

While the last horse slaughterhouse was closed down in 2007 due to the enactment of a state law, there still is no federal law banning horse slaughter for human or animal consumption. Many horses are stolen or caught and then brought across the borders to be slaughtered in less than ideal conditions. No animal deserves this kind of abuse, and I wonder why the US hasn’t enacted a law to protect horses from slaughter and being transported to be slaughtered in other countries. While slaughtering is one way to get rid of horses in an inhumane manner, there is another being used the United States Humane Society that is claimed to be a more acceptable method of reducing the number of wild horses: Experimental drugs.

The United States Humane Society is currently darting mares with a drug that is not approved by the FDA or publicly available to create infertility. This is an experimental drug known as PZP. This drug has been known to backfire and sometimes it doesn’t work at all, further, it is outlawed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. What are we doing to these horses? While it is stated that the drug is short-term and only lasts a year or two, does it really? Is it meant to slow down the birth rate of wild horses, or are they looking to make them extinct altogether? Once again we are messing with natural evolution. We are taking it upon ourselves to weed out gene pools in animals. Haven’t we learned our lessons throughout history? Why would any government allow this to happen to a former icon of its country?

Wild horses are managed through the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM. In 1971 the Wild Horse Annie Act was established prohibiting the use of motor vehicles or aircraft to catch or trap wild horses, but eight years later that law was amended and currently reads that the BLM is excluded from this law. If you look around on the internet you will find many videos, articles, and testimonials of the ways in which wild horses are being caught today by the BLM and by those who think they are above the law. Helicopters are being used to chase down herds of wild horses, and if that wasn’t emotionally and physically distressing enough, they have repeatedly done this during foaling season. The mares end up aborting their foals or their foals are too young to keep up and are left orphans in the pasture. The ones that are able to keep up get trampled as they are herded into pens, end up orphans because they lose their mothers, they end up dying from exhaustion and distress, or are otherwise injured. Herds of horses end up losing members of their families. If you are brave enough to stomach the videos, you too will see stallions and mares running for their lives, you will see the fear in their eyes as they are chased by helicopters; the injuries they sustain from the long, frightening run. You will also see horses so frightened they severely injure themselves to escape, and when they do they’ve also lost their entire family, their herd.

Why? Why does the BLM do this? They do it to appease the people who complain about being intruded upon. They round up the horses and send them to large ranches who then attempt to adopt some of these horses out to the public. Sometimes these horses are lucky and end up in a loving home to people who know how to handle a horse that has been frightened and removed from his home and family, but many end up living out their lives at the BLM ranches where they are brought because they are unadoptable for any number of reasons. These BLM ranches get a daily stipend per horse that is costing taxpayers millions of dollars per year. Although there are other ways that have been proposed that would be easier on the horses and taxpayers, the BLM insists on doing things the same.

What is the solution? The solution lies in compassion for these revered animals who were brought here, who faithfully served us in our times of need, who were our companions. There are many organizations out there that are working towards a solution, some have better ideas than others, some are fad organizations, and some really are making a difference. One thing they all have in common is that they believe they can help in some way, but they need our support. They don’t all need money contributions, some need volunteers to work with the horses, some need help writing letters, and some need item contributions such as items they can sell or use while working with the horses. The solution also lies in helping to get the BLM to change their tactics, helping to change US Legislation, helping form a sanctuary where wild horses can continue to roam, or in opening up your home and taking in one of these majestic animals so that they can regain their honor and once again serve us and be our companions. You don't have to do everything listed here to help all horses, but a little help can mean the world to a horse in need.

If my mother was right and a horse can indeed see into our souls, what would a horse see in yours?

Written by  Tsilos Schohener

TS  Beading   

What About Horses?………………………………………………………………..by Pam Todd

Near our home there is a horse farm, and as we drive by, we can often see the beautiful and magnificent horses in the pasture. My horse knowledge consists of about that much…..horses are beautiful and big! But, I’m fortunate to have a friend who has ridden horses since she was six years old and was willing and even a bit excited to share what she knows about horses. She didn’t even laugh at my questions!

I wanted to know everything…….what they ate, where they spent their time, how much water they drank each day, whether they display affection to their owners, if they are considered pets, how they play, how to take care of them, and what happens at a barrel race…..because Lisa and her horses go to about 18 barrel races a season from April to October!

Lisa owns two registered quarter horses. Willis, whose registered name is Smooth and Copper, is a bay. That’s dark brown, for those like me, who didn’t know that! Mysticalwannabecash is the registered name for the sorrel (and that’s a red color) who is called Cash for short. She rides the horses three to four times a week.

Willis and Cash spend their time in a two-acre pasture. There is a lean-to in that field where they can go to get out of the rain or snow or sun. They are also free to go into the barn where there are three stalls. However, Lisa says that when it is storming, they prefer to be in the lean-to so they can see what is happening around them. If they are in the barn, they cannot see the weather happening, and the noise of the rain on the tin roof and the thunder is scary for them.

Lisa and her husband feed the horses twice a day. They eat a pellet food consisting of oats and corn. In the winter the horses also eat hay, a mixture of timothy and alfalfa grasses. The hay is grown in another two-acre field, and is cut and baled twice, with a yield of 400 bales. Willis and Cash eat 200 bales during the cold months, and the other 200 are sold.

Horses get their water from a trough, and usually drink 10-15 gallons of water daily. The trough is cleaned out at least once a week and filled with fresh water. A heater is placed in the trough in the winter for two reasons: to keep the water from freezing, and because horses don’t like to drink cold water. The heater keeps the water at about room temperature, and the horses will continue to drink the amount of water they need. They wouldn’t if the water was cold.

Each spring Willis and Cash receive a six-way shot to protect them against various diseases. They also get a separate shot against West Nile Virus and another for rabies. Four times a year, Lisa squirts a gel-like medication into their mouths to kill/prevent any worms in the horses. A ferrier trims their hooves every six weeks and puts new shoes on their feet. This protects them from getting rocks in the soft tissue on the bottom of their feet.

Willis and Cash enter about 18 barrel races from April to October each year. These races may be at a fairgrounds or in private arenas. Three barrels are placed in a cloverleaf arrangement. The horse and rider start to the right and circle that barrel, go straight across to the barrel at the left, circle it, and then go up to the top barrel, circle it, and straight back to where they started. The distance between the barrels is dependent on the size of the arena. Each rider is timed, and if a barrel is touched, the rider gets no time for that ride. At a regular weekend barrel race, as many as 30-250 horses and riders may compete in the three classes: Open Class (any age rider); Youth Class (19 and under); and Master’s Class (40 and older). At the state barrel race, there could be 500 contestants in each class. Riders compete for the fastest times, and cash prizes are usually awarded for the five fastest times in each class. The NBHA world championships are conducted in Georgia, home of the National Barrel Horse Association. To compete in this race, a rider must be an NBHA member and have participated in at least three barrel races. Riders can also qualify for the world tournament if they are in the top five in their division.

Being the dog lover that I am, I was especially interested in knowing how horses relate to their people. Lisa said that Willis and Cash will come to the fence when their names are called and whinny. They like to be petted, and if Lisa puts her arms around the horse’s neck, the horse will lean his neck into her as if hugging her back. She does consider them pets. They enjoy treats made from apples, carrots, and oats…….which could be described as a horse granola bar!

I asked her if the horses played. She laughed and said they play every day, nipping at each other, and then chasing each other through the pasture and up and down the hill. They also like playing with a jolly ball, a huge rubber ball with a handle. When she throws it into the pasture, they pick it up with their teeth and toss it from their mouths. They also kick it around with their feet. Lisa has a Welsh Corgi, and I was curious to know how the dog interacts with the horses. She said the dog will bark at them and go at them as if to chase him. Their reaction is just to sniff at him and pay him no mind!

Horses play and have fun. They relate to their people. They require proper care, a safe place to live, and nutritious food and clean water. They are big, beautiful, magnificent creatures. Thanks, Lisa, for sharing what happens in the lives of Willis and Cash.

Pam at bagsandmorebypam is an avid crocheter and dedicated animal loving crafter and monthly columnist for the Crafting for Animals Guild.