Now THIS is one cool story ! ( politics, take a breather )

Thursday, September 22, 2011 1:02 PM

AURAPTOR America loves a winner!

Thursday, September 22, 2011 1:15 PM

NIKI2 Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Fantastic, Raptor...shivers running up my spine and a great big Thank You! Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani, Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”, signing off

Thursday, September 22, 2011 2:34 PM

KIRKULES

Thursday, September 22, 2011 2:46 PM

AURAPTOR America loves a winner!

Quote: Originally posted by Kirkules: I suspect the horse was trying to trample the boy to death and accidentally scared off the bear. Well, per the story, 'Tonk' did come from 'questionable lineage'. Seriously, did you see the size of that horse ? He's a monster in his own right! 18 hands, and hooves the size of anvils! ( and Ms Erin is pretty darn easy on the eyes too ! She's 5'10", btw ) " I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. "

Thursday, September 22, 2011 3:28 PM

BYTEMITE

Friday, September 23, 2011 11:37 AM

AURAPTOR America loves a winner!

Friday, September 23, 2011 12:34 PM

NIKI2 Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Yeah, Raptor; either the percheron genes are VERY strong, or he's more than half Percheron. Those are among the real "biggies" of the horse world, and Percherons can go up to 19 hands (6'3")--that's at the withers, mind you! The tallest horse recorded was a Percharon; he stood 21.1 hands! And by the way, they weigh in normally between 2,000 and 2,600 pounds...like you said, quite a monster! Looks like he's not "pure", but man, whatever else is in there didn't have much effect on his breeding! You can see the difference between Tonk and a "real" Percheron: A lot stockier than Tonk. Percherons are great horses, mild dispositions, HARD workers, and smart! They're Disney’s favorite for pulling carriages and such at Disney World because they can be trusted around children. Here's a "regular" stock horse next to a Percheron... They're among the class of horses known as "draft" horses...originated to pull heavy loads, tho' they're still used in agriculture, now you mostly see them in circuses and such. They're all big boned, mellow, heavy horses and all have feathering about their feet. There's the Shire, slightly smaller at around 17 hands. They were originated as medieval war horses and are generally the biggest of the draft horses. They are an especially docile breed, good with children. And maybe you remember the Clydesdale from the old Budweiser commercials? About the same size as Percherons, they're a more lively breed and are mostly seen these days in draft horse showing competitions. They were bred as war horses originally, too. Then there's the Andalusian, a draft horse but only about 15 hands, which is common in horse shows and show jumping. It was bred to other European stock to produce the Lipizzaner, about the same size, which had a movie made about their rescue during WWII. Tho' numerous breeds do dressage, the Lipizzan is most famous for it.. ...and yes, Frem, I'm not about to forget the Fresian, which is about the same size, tho' they can get as big as 17 hands and 1,600 pounds. Wonderful carriage horses, always black, highly intelligent and quick learners. Famous for their INCREDIBLY thick manes and tails...anyone who saw the movie Ladyhawke might remember them (tho' in the movie they even ENHANCED that magnificent mane--like it needed it!). By the way, Kirk, draft horses are famous for mellow dispositions and intelligence. They are usually referred to as "sensitive, quick to learn and responsive; always gentle, friendly, willing to work, able to bear pressure, and directed towards people". A good thing, 'cuz if one of THESE guys was a kicker...hooo boy! Were I a grizzly, I'd think twice about taking on one of these fellas. There; everything you wanted to know (and more!) about draft horses. There are other breeds, too, but these are the best known. Do you get the idea I love horses? Both Frem and I are horseaholics! Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani, Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”, signing off

Friday, September 23, 2011 4:29 PM

FREMDFIRMA

Ha! I get along with em well enough, but to say I am fond of them is a bit of a stretch... well, more fond than I am of humans, but that ain't sayin much! The one I was most friendly with was a boneheaded arab pony who WISHED he was a warhorse, with a snarky, tempermental disposition, but we got on well enough - I do have some kind of bonding ability with horses, having convinced more than one to let me on their back even if not trained for it, and I've always refused to use a saddle or bit, honestly, how'd you like to chew on metal all day ? So mostly I just go with a hackamore sans blinders and a heavy blanket, if that, depending on the horse. Now, I have ridden on the big boys, who do seem to be of gentler mein, but that was something of a trick as small as I am and all but needing a ladder to get up there - and Doggo, who was a shire, I think, never quite got it through his damn thick head that I wanted him to go somewhere and would prettymuch just ignore me when I did manage to lure him over to the fence and climb on, which was even funnier cause I was just a kid and even smaller at the time. For vicious though, I'd say a high-strung arabian is prolly the most dangerous to a human, seconded only by the wild mustang, the latter having some right to be pissed, I think. -Frem I do not serve the Blind God.

Friday, September 23, 2011 4:38 PM

AURAPTOR America loves a winner!

Saturday, September 24, 2011 6:11 AM

NIKI2 Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Frem, I adore Arabs...got to know them in Afghanistan and I LOVE their personalities; fiesty, independent, full of shit, fun to tussle with. But then I love huskies, too, so I guess that says it all. ;o) Raptor, I already thanked you for the article, and didn't put all that up for YOUR pleasure, but because others might possibly find it interesting. When we were in Glacier, they strongly suggested we wear "bear bells" so they can hear us coming. Probably wouldn't have helped in this case, but I wonder why they don't do something similar for riders? Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani, Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”, signing off

Saturday, September 24, 2011 6:21 AM

AURAPTOR America loves a winner!

Saturday, September 24, 2011 8:53 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Oh quit your whinin Rappy, ain't like the voluminous flood of hate, intolerance and filth spewing from your flappin piehole mosta the time is any more interestin than my rambling, which was in fact in answer to both Niki and Kirks posts, although apparently your twisted little mind can't follow simple logic. Ah yes, and speakin of horse manure... My niece went through the "I want a pony stage" a while back, and in explaining why this was a bad idea, instead of going on about vet bills and permits and all that I simply cut to the chase and pointed out just how much shit she'd have to shovel. Her response - "Good practice for when I go into politics." I fear for our future.... -Frem I do not serve the Blind God.

Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:20 AM

BYTEMITE

Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:34 AM

NIKI2 Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Mea culpa; given mine was a long and rambling post, AND our previous exchanges, I assume it was directed at me. I'm glad it wasn't. I try to be as civil to you as possible when you post something civil, and have considered it nice that we can have "time outs" in those threads. Have edited my previous comments to remove my angry remarks. Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani, Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”, signing off

Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:56 AM

AURAPTOR America loves a winner!

Sunday, September 25, 2011 7:42 PM

RIONAEIRE Beir bua agus beannacht

Sunday, September 25, 2011 8:12 PM

PHOENIXSHIP