It Is Not Our Differences That Seperate us

Look closely at this great photo from optical harmonics. This is a picture of Tommi Grey down in Texas with three Colonial Spanish horses. They come from different backgrounds. Two are of the lines that most people think of when they say "mustang"--western stock--cowboys, Indians, ranches and vaqueros. The sorrel at the right side of the picture is a Corolla. He is also a Colonial Spanish horse but of a history little known, small farmers, fisherman, hurricanes, and crashing ocean waves. There are subtle differences in their builds and I suspect in their gaits.

What holds them together is much stronger than the subtle differences. All trace their lineage back to the early Spanish explorers. All are small, exceedingly sturdy, and have astounding endurance. All are dangerously close to extinction.

Reliable information on the conformation and history of these horses can be found on the web page of the Horse of the Americas Registry. The HOA leadership is made up of people that not only are dedicated to the preservation of these horses, but also know what they are talking about.

There are many different organizations out there that have an interest in Spanish mustangs. The HOA is the only registry of which I am aware that takes an active role in the preservation of the few isolated herds of Colonial Spanish mustangs that remain in the wild. The American Indian Horse Registry has a broader mission but also is supportive of efforts to preserve the Corollas and Shacklefords.

Let me hear from you if you would like to own a horse of the historic type shown in this picture. Learn how you can be a keystone in preventing the extinction of the first horse of America.)

Quick Tip #8-- The Second Son of a Second Son

When considering what breed of horse to purchase if one is seeking a healthy, sane, teachable, hard working horse, stay away from breeds that were developed as accessories to stylish upper income fops through out history. Like Ms Drysdale's poodle, they are for looking at, not for riding.

Instead look to breeds and strains that were developed by poor people and working people. They bred for practicality.

Describing a lady's shoes as "practical" may not be considered a compliment but when it comes to horses, few qualities are more important than practicality.

Young Joseph is an incredibly impressive horse whose mother is a BLM mare and whose father is a Chincoteague. Not much of a pedigree is it? Neither was Abraham Lincoln's.

Seek the knowledge of the poor folks that merely ride over that of the rich folks that merely buy.

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How much does it cost to plant ten acres of soy beans? How much can be earned from ten acres of soy beans? How weather dependent is that source of income? How much is that source of income dependent on market factors beyond a farmer's control?

How much does it cost to turn ten acres into a natural horse care boarding facility? How much can be earned from a ten acre natural horse care facility? How weather dependent is that source of income? How much is that source of income dependent on market factors beyond a farmer's control?

The cost of maintaining a horse has driven many potential horse owners away from their dream of having their own horse. Conventional stable board is damaging to a horse's health, both physical and emotional. The number of farmers going under each years is a national crisis.

This is an issue that we will be focusing on over the next year. We hope to be able to do our part in educating farmers about this potential both for obtaining a steady source of income and developing tremendous public service for their community.

The Quest for Good Health Can Be Sickening

http://www.nature.com/news/early-exposure-to-germs-has-lasting-benefits-1.10294

I am very troubled by the fact that kids raised in town by women who think that their ultimate jobs as mothers is to keep their children clean are giving us a generation of fragile children that can actually become sick by petting farm animals. This even a bigger threat to kids happiness than it is to their health.

In the future I expect medical science to focus on techniques that fire up our immune systems to prevent injury. "Clean" living impairs that immune system.

It is bad enough that little boys' mental health is being savaged by today's perfect parenting model that calls for the avoidance of risk, pain and fear at all costs. Now we are wrecking their physical health by not allowing their immune systems to develop naturally.

We are developing a culture that loves our kids to death the same way we are loving our horses to death.

Quick Tip #7--Consider Native Plants

When developing a pasture remember that its purpose is to provide healthy forage for the herd, not to create a uniform landscape. Work for solid nutrition. Cemeteries have uniform foliage. Pastures should not. Eliminate poisonous plants, do a soil test and apply lime as needed. Forget planting whatever would be the most beautiful. Plant what can grow. I would love to have a pasture of bluegrass but it cannot grow in our region.

Plant diversity can create sound nutrition.

I have an unnatural fear of herbicides. I also have a broad leaf weed with a huge fibrous root that does wonderful in heavy rain and drought. It is full of seeds and left alone will take over a pasture. The leaves are easily taken down with a swing blade (or a weed eater if one is inclined in that direction) The leaves can be quickly gathered and make a wonderful addition to the hog's diets.

I have been fighting this weed for years and this week I learned that fighting it has been not only a waste of time, but a waste of good hog forage.