Black Beard, the most interesting if not the most successful of the pirates of the Caribbean, may have been named Edwards Teach. Even if he was not so named, that was his most famous alias. Black Beard robbed and pillaged from bases that were often hidden deep in the islands that made up the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Without out a doubt, when ashore he and his fellow pirates would have ridden the small Spanish mustangs that roamed the Outer Banks whose descendants at Corolla and Shackleford have recently been declared to be the state horses of North Carolina.
Eventually, Teach/Black Beard bit off more than he could chew. His boldness and penchant for a fight gave the British navy the opportunity to capture his ship. He lost his life and his head, which was taken to Norfolk and hung on display.
This week another pirate of the Outer Banks was captured. A young stallion, who was so good at hiding out from others that he had only been sighted from an airplane got a bit too bold and decided to pirate away an older stud's mares. Like Black Beard, he should have stayed in hiding a bit longer. The old stud whipped him and left him a bloody mess. He was not beheaded, but his neck received quite a chewing. He was taken into custody and is now receiving medical care that will put him back on the road to health.
He is luckier than Black Beard. His entire body will be soon coming to Virginia, not just his head. He will reside in a round pen with us while he heals and my little riders and I will gentle him. He will be eligible for adoption from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund at that point. I hope that this stallion will be part of the offsite breeding program and will father Banker colts for the next decade or two.
Of course, he will be named Edward Teach.
Shiver me timbers.
I think that this is a good name--pirate theme would be good to start on the sea horses.
ReplyDeleteAre we gonna call him "Eddie"?
ARRRRRR! Welcome to Virginia, Edward...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear more about him, Steve. I know you and your little riders will turn him into something great.
In nature, survival is usually to the fittest. It sounds like this colt was on his way to removing himself from the population. I am glad that he survived. Taking on an older stallion suggests that he may be excessively aggressive or insufficiently intelligent. If either of these prove to be the case, I think he would serve the Corolla horses best as a gelding. Of course, he may have been suffering from an adolescent case of “testosterone poisoning” and grow up to be just fine.
ReplyDeleteDiane you are a well read and thoughtful commentator. Your knowledge of genetics and history make all of your thoughts worth reading.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you have never been a 15 year old boy. Had you so been you might feel a little more sympathy for this poor, lovelorn colt. It does not appear that he can even been given credit for having loved and lost. From the size of the hole in his neck he most likely lost before he even got a chance at love.