Hi Geoff, thanks for posting. I have a soft spot in my heart for these work horses. For the most part they are gentle giants. I have not seen any Shires in this area. Most of the farmers seem to have Belgians or Percherons. I have not even come across any Clydsdales, which I think used to be quite popular in this area.
The Shires have the feathered fetlocks of the Clydesdale and the colour of the Percheron. Very nice and all dressed up for the show.
Thanks for Posting.
Wendy
If I am not breaking any copyright laws, I'd like to quote an excerpt from the Title song of the Heavy Horses album by Jethro Tull circa 1978.
Moderators: Please remove if this is breaking any laws
Iron-clad feather feet pounding the dust
an October’s day, towards evening.
Sweat embossed veins standing proud to the plough
salt on a deep chest seasoning.
Last of the line at an honest day’s toil
turning the deep sod under.
Flint at the fetlock, chasing the bone
Flies at the nostrils plunder.
The Suffolk the Clydesdale, the Percheron vie
with the Shire on his feathers floating
Hauling soft timber into the dusk
to bed on a warm straw coating.
Heavy Horses, move the land under me
Behind the plough gliding – slipping and sliding free.
Now you’re down to the few and there’s no work to do
The tractor’s on its way.
Let me find you a filly for your proud stallion seed
To keep the old line going.
And we’ll stand you abreast at the back of the wood
behind the young trees growing
To hide you from eyes that mock at your girth,
and your eighteen hands at the shoulder.
And one day when the oil barons have all dripped dry
and the nights are seen to draw colder,
They’ll beg for your strength, your gentle power
your noble grace and your bearing.
And you’ll strain once again to the sound of the gulls
in the wake of the deep plough, sharing.
Rob, I love these little guys. Do they really roam wild, without anyone bothering them or trying to hurt them or capture them (aside from photographs)?
Never mind, I just looked it up and the first hit I got was this. It sounds like their days are numbered. Keep taking pictures while you have the chance.
Wendy
http://nativeponiesonline.co.uk/arti...sh_ponies.html
Edit: oh by the way, I just read to the bottom of this page and I'm not suggesting that anyone donate or anything, It's just the first hit that came up. It sounds like they are trying to save them though. Please remove the link if it is not appropriate.
Last edited by ScoutR; 29th August 2010 at 01:41 PM. Reason: see Edit
Ah, poor Brian. Well if he thinks he is a horse - he is a horse. Welcome to the horse thread Brian, you are among Friends here.
David: does Brian take good care of that coat or do you have to do a lot of work to keep it looking like that.
(whisper) what is Brian really - llama? alpacca?...
Wendy - Brian does not spit therefore he is a llama. Alpacas are notorious for the the long range gob! Fortunately, I do not have to look after him at all. He belongs to a lovely lady, Sue Gilroy, who owns a riding stable in Auchencairn, where my cottage is. She has about 15 horses and Brian. He was to have been a pack-llama for long distance treks, taking camping gear and the like. However, he can either walk or run. Consequently, he could not keep up with trots or canters. He is totally bonded to the horses, all of which seem to think that he is a horse. So, an honorary horse he is.
Cheers
David
Last edited by David; 29th August 2010 at 02:18 PM. Reason: inappropriate use of an apostrophe!
i dont get many chances to shoot horses,proud parents are always willing to buy tho, cheers martyn
Very nice Martyn: My goodness if your parents want to get you a horse I think you should let them. That's just me though, no point having one if you are not interested. However, if you took this photo your good eye tells me you are somewhat inclined in that direction.
Thanks for posting, if you have the chance, keep them coming
Wendy
David: So I take it "some dude" is you. Nice shot, sorry about the shoulder though. In my experience shoulder injuries seem the most common injury for the rider when the horse falls - Broken collar bones to be more specific.
Wendy
Wendy
Thanks for the link.
This mountain area is part of the Pembrokeshire coast national park, and I believe these ponies are often introduced and managed. They have park wardens so I guess they monitor the animals to check they are OK. They can't wander too far anyway due to fencing and road cattle-grids. Here is a map of the area http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=1...4:13|cardigan| And here is some info on them from the park authority. http://www.pcnpa.org.uk/website/default.asp?SID=1185
It's a wonderful area, and I feel very lucky to live here.
Too kind Wendy
The old concepts for Architects is that they were supposed to know everything in order to be able to create new shapes, buildings, details, etc.. It's only talk talk these days.
In this trend - - I shoot everything: from horses, people, landscapes I do my best
I think they will be doing this event next year. I hope to be able to shoot again.
Thank you for commenting
I (finally) shot some horses yesterday
I know some of you have been waiting
Back later with pics ...