Today’s lineup: an appaloosa pony who should be sainted, a $65,000 Shetland pony, a seriously broke paint, “thourghbred stud” a match made in hell and — wait for it! — a “huge genital horse.”
Susanna sent us this ad with the note: “Found this little guy’s ad. I don’t have much to say, except I hope a better home gets him soon!”
Snoopy is 10 years old, around 40″ tall. We have rode this little gelding everywhere you can ride a big horse. He’s very gentle and easy to catch. The kids have took him swimming in the pond. They have rode him down the roads and in the woods. We have even lead little bitty kids around on him. He will lope off and stop good bigger kids have really rode him hard, he’s pretty broke for a pony.
You can’t see it in the photos but I’m pretty sure that pony has a halo. Speaking of ponies, Leah sent us this one from EquineNow.com: “I love the questionable grammar, clearly accidental price, and incongruous photo. It’s the full package!”
Advertising at its finest. Here’s another ad that leaves much to the imagination, from Jeaniene:
The next one is from Theresa — well broke, indeed!
WHY?!?!?!? This poster of this ad won’t be winning any spelling bees anytime soon:
Casey sent us this one for a yearling that’s for sale because things weren’t working out with its owner, a 9-year-old kid — surprise, surprise!
And now, the grand finale from reader Ella:
Readers, if you run across an “interesting” ad in your Internet wanderings, send it our way! Email the link to [email protected]. Who knows – maybe you’ll help connect a horse with a safe, loving home. Go Riding.
Each Friday HN teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization that is doing good work in the horse world. This week we salute Diamonds in the Rough. (more…)
Our friend in horse humor Maria Wachter over at Blackman Ranch shared this compilation of equine archetypes with us and we’ve got to give her credit — it’s pretty much spot-on! (more…)
Reader Cat Tracy posted this video on our Facebook wall and it was just too cutewhy do I keep doing that fearsome to keep to ourselves. That high-pitched squeal manly battle cry combined with his tiny little rears ferocious body language is almost too much to handle.
Watch! (You must be logged in to Facebook to view.)
Natural horsemanship has value but it’s not for everyone. Allana Kereluk drank the Kool-Aid for six years before realizing that all she had to show for it was a spoiled brat horse she was too terrified to ride.
You just never know what is going to turn up in Horse Nation’s “Best of Craigslist.” Some posts make us laugh, some make us cringe and others make us want to run right out and buy a horse just to get it out of the situation it’s in.
Watching international Swedish show jumper Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Tornesch tackle a fence is poetry in motion. But when you look closer, you realize something is missing — the stallion’s eye. (more…)
In his first race since Belmont, the 2014 Double Crown winner (we’re coining all sorts of new racing terms today!) couldn’t get out from behind the heels of Bayern.
Chrome was the odds-on favorite in the field of eight and the grandstands were packed with fans eager to witness his comeback. As Kristen Kovatch noted last week in her preview of the race, hopes were high for the bright chestnut who grabbed the nation’s attention earlier this year: “Chrome has put back on the weight he had dropped in the grueling Triple Crown chase and recovered from his grabbed quarter out of the gate at the Belmont. When the colt returned to his old stall at Los Alamitos for training, crowds gathered just to watch his workouts, showing that the ‘Chromies’ still have faith in their horse.”
Unfortunately, victory wasn’t in the cards. After drawing the unfavorable No. 1 post position and finding himself boxed in for much of the race, he ran out of steam in the stretch to finish in sixth. Jockey Victor Espinoza said after the race, “They were like blocking in front of me, and it was hard to catch the other horse. Sometimes the other ones don’t ride to win, they ride to beat horses.”
Bayern, ridden by Martin Garcia, pulled away in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths and set a new track record
Watch the race:
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Kristen raised the interesting question, “What do you think — is Chrome going to make a comeback this year or do you think he’s had his day?” in the Racing Forum over at Equestrians Anonymous. Check it out and weigh in with your opinion!
Abscesses, man. They ruin everything. One minute you’re on a roll, gearing up for the next big competition, and the next your horse is limping around like it has a broken leg. What gives? (more…)
Each week we recognize an individual or organization that is doing good work in the horse world — but today is a little different. An event, Oxford Feed & Lumber’s Pink 50 Poker Prance, is taking the spotlight.
Presented by:
This unique breast cancer awareness fundraiser takes place on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Fair Hill in Elkton, Maryland. Nancy Johnson kindly supplied us with all the info we need to support this year’s event!
From Nancy:
Oxford Feed & Lumber’s Pink 50 Poker Prance, now in its fifth year, began as one of a number of events within the Pink 50 Campaign that Purina co-sponsored with their dealers nationwide in 2010. The purpose of the Pink 50 Campaign was to reach out to women in rural America and raise awareness about breast cancer while also raising money for research programs. In 2010, more than 50 Purina dealers joined the Pink 50 Campaign through a variety of fundraisers including barbeques, tack swaps, and trail rides.
“It was such a hit the first year and everyone asked us to continue it, so we have,” explain the Drennen brothers, Chris and Larry Jr. “It’s just gotten bigger and better as people bring their friends along for this fun event for a great cause.”
Last year more than 250 riders enjoyed the Poker Prance through scenic Fair Hill. Riders may start the ride any time between 9 a.m. and noon, so it doesn’t get overcrowded. We believe we may top that number in 2014 as not only is it a great cause, but people love the prizes and raffles we have too.
Pink is definitely the color of the day! And we make a contest out of it as well. The top five “most pink” horse and rider teams each win gift cards. It’s amazing how creative the riders, (and horses) have become!
We also have some incredible raffle prizes – all with a pink theme. The oversize raffle baskets can all be seen at Oxford Feed & Lumber prior to the event and tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the store, or on Oct. 12 at Fair Hill. The winning tickets will be drawn at the event, but one need not be present to win.
As in a paper chase, there are various checkpoints along the ride. At each checkpoint, a rider collects a card. At the conclusion of the ride, one has a poker hand and gift cards are awarded to the best five poker hands.
Five raffle winners will also take home five bags of Purina feed. Plus, for the first time, we will be selling Purina feed at a substantial discount at the event — customer pickup only. As riders will have transported their horse, it’s easy to take advantage of this deal and throw some feed in the truck or trailer.
With their $30 donation, participants receive a coveted pink Poker Prance tee-shirt, lunch, and a goodie bag. A new addition this year, a commemorative saddle pad, with embroidered pink logos, is sure to be a hit. A limited number will be available for a suggested additional donation.
All proceeds go to the Pennsylvania and Delaware Breast Cancer Coalitions to advance their breast cancer awareness and research programs.
Riders should register early to be sure a tee-shirt in the proper size is reserved for them. To
register, stop in or call, Oxford Feed & Lumber, 112 Railroad Ave., Oxford, PA 19363, 610-932-8521 or Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm, 1150 Pocopson Rd., West Chester, PA 19382, 610-793-3080. The registration form is also available on our website, www.oxfordfeedlumber.com and Facebook page.
Go Riding!
Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post.Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.
A dressage horse, an eventer, a show jumper or something else entirely… take our quiz to find out!
At work, you’re known as being…
A) An organized, detail-oriented perfectionist. The master of spreadsheets and to-do lists.
B) A serial multi-tasker. To others your desk looks cluttered, but there’s a method to your madness, and you’re at your best when your plate is just a little too full.
C) A goal-setter. You thrive on raising the bar for yourself and your co-workers.
D) Hypercompetitive, and everyone wants to be on YOUR team.
E) Calm, cool and collected in any situation. And… stylish–your tailored pantsuit collection is ah-mazing!
E) The most fun at happy hour!
What kind of driver are you?
A) An excellent driver, thank you, unlike 90% of everyone else on the road. Why can’t people use their turn signals?
B) Skilled not only at driving, but at talking on the phone, eating a sandwich, messing with the radio and digging around for your sunglasses in the center console–all at the same time.
C) You live in the fast lane and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without first consulting your GPS for the shortest, fastest, most efficient route.
D) A big advocate for carpooling. You enjoy the company and it saves gas.
E) Happiest when your ride has all the bells and whistles: leather interior, satellite radio and seat warmers are a must.
F) You prefer to roll down the window, crank up the jams, and let the destination come to you–unless you’re in a hurry, and then it’s “Get out of my way!!”
Your ideal vacation would be…
A) A self-guided tour of your favorite European city.
B) A cross-country road trip. Why see just one place when you can see it all?
C) Vegas, baby! You like living large and rolling the dice.
D) A trip to the beach with friends.
E) Anywhere with a spa in it. Great shopping is a bonus.
F) In the great outdoors.
What’s your favorite type of exercise?
A) Pilates, yoga or ballet barre.
B) You like to mix it up. Crosstraining keeps you from getting bored.
C) Running sprints.
D) Playing sports with friends–if it involves kicking, throwing or hitting a ball, you’re in.
E) Riding without stirrups–not!
F) Hiking or trailrunning.
What’s your sporthorse personality? Scroll down to find out!
If you picked mostly As, you’re a…
DRESSAGE HORSE: You take pride in perfect execution, but be sure to give yourself some free rein every once in a while!
If you picked mostly Bs, you’re an…
EVENTER: You thrive on mixing it up and biting off more than you can chew–just take care to not spread yourself too thin!
If you picked mostly Cs, you’re a…
SHOW JUMPER: You have a need for speed and you hold yourself to a high personal standard. Remember that it’s OK to slow down and take a breath every now and again!
If you picked mostly Ds, you’re a…
POLO PONY: You’re a team player who thrives on social interaction and is motivated by competition. Keep in mind, though, that an overobsession with winning can be counterproductive!
If you picked mostly Es, you’re a…
SHOW HUNTER: From your career to your closet, your approach to life involves a certain degree of finess. Just don’t shy away from getting your hands dirty when necessary.
If you picked mostly Fs, you’re a…
FOX HUNTER: You’re happiest when surrounded by nature and friends. Clear room in your schedule for plenty of trips to the countryside–and the pub!
Especially when you’re in the early stages of a fitness program, it’s easy to feel discouraged. Personal trainer Leah Hinnefeld suggests a different approach. (more…)
The next one is from Theresa — well broke, indeed!
