In historic...

...times the Vikings had a need,
for a sturdy horse, a dependable steed,
a new breed was begun, up in Norway's north;
and the Nordlandhest/Lyngshest horse came forth.

It is a rugged horse, used by rugged men,
it could pull the wagons, the Vikings just said when;
the horse is also the beginning of the Iceland type,
but it was almost extinct, it good no good hype.

Just take a look, that's beauty with four feet,
willing and able to solve some profound feat;
saddle up or hitch, Nordlandhests can do...
...and sort of work, willingly for you.

They're as rugged as their environment, up here in the cold....
....North Atlantic, and their accomplishments are bold;
for to serve with the Vikings it took a certain feel,
travel, pillage, explore - things they did for real.

Some times a persons heart can be cold too,
it doesn't welcome in, someone whose not like you;
more is the pity, he who does not welcome the new,
just be aware, not eveyone's like you.

Live and Let Live, each person has a place,
we are a divergent people, us the human race;
there are many differences, like the color of our skin,
religion, or preferences, let's stand together again.

Enjoy!

Top: Lyngshest - A 'county' in Norway.
Middle: Two fine examples of the Nordlandhest.
Bottom:  On their home turf.

Somewhere....

...along with horses and ponies, the line gets blurred,
so we have the Highland Pony, they're large, it's what I heard;
and of course with Scotland, then my family comes to life,
my ancestor came from there, when it was full of strife.

Peter Grant was a prisoner of war, captured by the Brits,
sold to Saugus Iron Works, it made his life the pits.
When un-indentured, if that's a word, he settled here in Maine,
started up a sawmill, lived life with no fame.

Maybe he brought the love of animals here with him,
from wee beasties to the horses, love without a whim;
so we have the Highland Pony, largest of the type,
work, or ride, lead or pull, it works with little hype.

Pulling a carriage or working with a plow,
mostly they can catch a breath, not so much work now,
they still live here in the world, spread far and wide;
but they still live in Scotland, and they're full of pride.

Shown here in the Highlands, the region of it's name,
Brrrr, it's cold in winter, but he lives here just the same,
ready to work or entertain, gentle sort of beast,
loved by all in Scotland, to say the very least.

So here in this county, the Clan still remains,
scattered here and there, growing old with some pains,
my brother Lysle takes tradition by the hand;
telling those who listen, the glory of the land.

Top: Highlands pulling a carriage in a skills test.
Middle: A solitary pony taking in the view.
Bottom: The Head of the Clan, Lysle E. Grant

There must...

...be those that argue about the better looking horse,
I'll not join in that chorus, and make matters worse;
but when you take a gander at a Belgian Black,
whatever your first guess was, you just might take it back.

Let me introduce you to the Friesian breed,
why that wavy mane alone might take you off your feed;
large with many muscle, usually only come in black,
saddle up and ride, or hitch a cart and ride in back.

There's a fluid motion, graceful and strong,
pick one of these black beauties, and you can't go wrong.
Humans have always liked raw horsepower haven't we?
And, what better sight can we possible see?

Along with the muscle, a thick mane is what you see,
and 'feathers' on the feet, we notice you and me;
when you look at this, and see the very young foal,
picture him at full gait, racing for the pole.

What a sight that would be, if we had the chance,
or watch the horses at play, learning to dance.
Just some of natures wonders that we can behold;
at least we have pictures while we're being told.

So while we look in wonder, see him at full trot,
we need to think about ourselves, oh, what god has wrought,
some of us are able, or have and extra buck,
so we have an option, we should share our luck.

But, we can do that for free, every single day,
go to www.theanimalrescuesite.com, that's where we play.
See those tabs across the top, pick one at a time;
push the buttons shown to you, and you don't have to spend a dime.

There now. Feel better? Nice feeling isn't it,
now, make a daily habit, you have time to make it fit,
simple little things, to help human kind along,
and please make sure you help, all you meet belong.

Enjoy!

There are...

...in the horse world, many, many breeds,
but one stands out above them all, known for some deeds,
the only survivor of 'Custer's Last Stand'
a Morgan named Comanche, leader of the brand.

Here we have to offer, one great horse breed,
ride them with a saddle, and it's one trusty steed;
or let them pull a carriage, oh, what a great ride,
when you're with a Morgan, please be filled with pride.

It's the official horse in Massachusetts and Vermont,
and at Vermont's University they study them, all you want;
the leader of the breed, a horse name Figure,
died at thirty-two in Vermont, amongst the maple sugar.

Above we have Octane, at the University of Vermont,
that's where they study Morgans, they could tell you all you want,
and it's on fitting that it's the school of choice,
with a 'Morgan Center' for which we an rejoice.

It was not by accident that today is Morgan Day,
Tehachapi Pete just happened to be in Vermont today,
so I tied the two together, Pete and this horse,
he would love to ride one, we me along of course.

On the....

...Jutland peninsula you will find,
the Country of Denmark, one of a kind,
this is the home of on large work horse,
the Jutland, hauls heavy loads as a matter of course.

The Jutland descended from a mixed bloodline,
Ardennes and Cleveland Bay both were just fine;
large, muscular, a short arched neck,
then there's the matter of hair, not what you'd expect.

You have to notice, there 'round the feet,
the hair is wavy, isn't that neat?
It's a matter of breeding, that's what I'm told,
who knows what happened, in those days of old.

Here is a photo, you judge the size,
the horses are large, they may win a prize,
not for the size, but for their work too;
what a great critter for you to view.

I'll have to remind you that there are buttons to push,
please just don't sit there, and read on your tush;
www.theanimalrescuesite.com, is the place,
all of the tabs, at the top, and each button, keep pace.

And be good to your neighbors, they'll be good to you,
even the ones you would rather not view;
they all have worth, in their own way,
we're not to judge, but we can lead the way.

Enjoy!

You must...

...have seen the ads on TV,
the Lipizzaner's are coming, for us to see;
those white stallions, who seem to dance,
they've been trained, it doesn't happen by chance.

This breed goes back one thousand years,
long before there were any cheers,
moved by wars from one place to another,
they now reside in the land of their mother.

Trained as soldiers, these mighty beasts,
now lauded oftern, for our eyes a feast;
not all of them are in shows of course,
you can own one, your choice of horse.

Ahh, but the secret, they train so well,
riding dressage, or the show ring will tell,
tales of white horses, everything right,
the star of our show, right here, tonight!

Top: One of the "Lipizzaner Stallions" in a show.
Middle: Being ridden in dressage.
Bottom: Lipizzans running free.

NOTE: The spellings are different, either is correct - both blogs today with the same feature. (same name, different spelling.)

Those of...

...you who read this, know I walk a lot,
but the Tennessee Walker, does it like a trot;
the gait is really simple, just different than most,
for this horse derived from pacers, has it as a host.

Known for that distinctive walk, and beauty counts too,
just made for you to saddle, and take a jump or two,
the horse thrives on a trail ride, or in the show ring too;
aren't you already sure, this is the horse for you.

Originally bred for the plantations, in the U. S. South,
word was passed nationwide, I mean word of mouth;
folks began to notice this horse and the way it moved,
in present day language we'd say the way it grooved.

Tennessee Walker's come in all colors, take your pick,
and they are a fashion plate, without a walking stick;
it's a natural for riding, use a saddle that you like,
English or Western, this animal won't strike.

Are we to take a lesson, from this horse from Tennessee?
What does this horse do, that's good for you and me?
Can we take directions, or do we rebel?
Because we all know sometimes good intentions, don't turn out so well.

Enjoy your day!