Thursday, July 28, 2016

Thursday, July 28, 2016

What the Beck???

I am currently volunteering at Field of Dreams Horse Rescue. I love everything about volunteering there. Today, I will introduce you to Spree, a gorgeous horse who needs to be adopted.

Horses that need a forever home!!!
Website:  https://www.fodonline.org/

Field of Dreams:  Spree

The Field of Dreams website stated: "Spree is an extremely handsome 13 yr. old black Trakehner gelding standing 16'1 hands high. He loves being groomed, is good for the vet and farrier, and gets along well with other horses. Spree is currently being worked at the walk, trot, and canter and is going over jumps. He is a flashy mover, and would make a great hunter."
***I did explain the terms Trakehner and farrier at the 
bottom of this page!!!!

I love grooming Spree! He loves to be groomed, 

and seems pretty comfortable with me.

He is one heck of a beautiful horse.

 Every time I see this horse, he touches my heart.
He needs a fabulous home.
If you ever hear of anyone looking for a horse,
send them to Field of Dreams!!

You can also become a volunteer like I am.
The people who are leading the volunteers
are amazing and very patient. I haven't worked
with horses for a very long time, but I am now
confident in what I am doing for them.
It is also fun!!!

Vocabulary Information:

Trakehner

According to:

http://trakehners-international.com/history/index.html

         “The Trakehner horse is the oldest warm-blood breed in the world, with a history spanning almost 300 years to the foundation of the main stud Trakehnen in 1732. The official name, "The East Prussian Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin" hints to the roots of this magnificent breed: the region of East Prussia once belonging to Germany, but lost during World War II to Russia. The origin of the breed is a small horse - bred locally in East Prussia - known as the "Schwaike". The Schwaike was known for its versatility and endurance. When this breed was crossed with imported English thoroughbred and Arabian stallions, the resulting horse was named after the main stud it came from: Trakehnen. The original purpose of the Trakehner was for use as calvary mount. In the early 18th century, King Friedrich Wilhelm I realized that a new type of cavalry mount was needed as war tactics had changed and demanded a faster, lighter horse that also posessed power and endurance. In 1732, he moved the best of his cavalry horses to the new royal stud farm Trakehnen and began to systematically breed a horse that would meet many criteria. The new cavalry mounts had to be attractive enough to be a representative horse for his officers, but additionally had to be tough enough to survive harsh situations and come out sound. Through his efforts, the Trakehner breed evolved.

At the same time, East Prussian farmers were breeding the same base of horses, but for the daily work in the fields. Soil in East Prussia was always heavy and deep, and from today's point of view it might seem strange that noble Trakehner horses were pulling ploughs through thick mud, but from the standpoint of breed selection, it is a major reason the Trakehner soon had the reputation of a hard-working animal with little need for maintenance.”

   Vocabulary Information:

Farrier  

According to: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farrier

“Farrier is now usually applied specifically to a blacksmith who specializes in shoeing horses, a skill that requires not only the ability to shape and fit horseshoes, but also the ability to clean, trim, and shape a horse's hooves. When "farrier" first appeared in English (as "ferrour"), it referred to someone who not only shoed horses, but who provided general veterinary care for them as well. Middle English "ferrour" was borrowed from Anglo-French ferrour (a blacksmith who shoes horses), a noun derived from the verb "ferrer" ("to shoe horses"). These Anglo-French words can be traced back ultimately to Latin ferrum, meaning "iron."