August 12, 2007
I hope you'll find this issue of Nose to the Ground interesting, useful, and fun to read.
Received responses to several Montana Horseback Vacations links earlier this spring. I hope none of you scheduled a visit in late July to NW Montana (despite any recommendation I may have made) as we're in the midst of an outbreak of forest fires including three rather sizable ones in this part of the state.
At least we haven't as yet had to consider evacuating them to another location. The fires will die down soon and in any event Montana is wonderful horseback vacation country (a very good source for horseback and other types of vacations is at www.RealAdventures.com).
When I'm introduced to a new online business that has something promising to offer, and these are for the most part small niche businesses, I like to share with you. Here are three interesting websites, the first I think you'll find particularly unusual, at least as far as horse art is concerned.
Horse Art
United Kingdom artist Heather Jansch has created some truly fantasic equine artwork using drifwood. I first encountered her work in an e-mail my daughter forwarded These aren't pieces of wood cobbled together to somewhat resemble a horse, these are truly beautiful art forms. The image of "Beethoven" shown here is just one example.
Take a trip to Heather Jansch's website and be prepared to be impressed!
Horseback Vacations
In recommending horseback vacation destinations I usually stick pretty close to home with places I know best. Once in awhile I come across a spot that I know I'd like to visit if I had the chance and maybe you would too. I located such a place in the UK and will pass it on to you. If you've been thinking of some horseback riding in that part of the world a trip sponsored by the Epworth Equestrian Community might just be your "cup of tea".
Horses for Sale
Our Fjord Nessi, true to form, is starting his winter coat, just after the warmest July on record and several weeks of hot weather still out there. Again, true to form, he'll probably start shedding in January well before the end of the cold season.
A wonderful and amazing breed those Fjords. Nice gift too if you've a horse in mind. Willow's Edge Farm in Western Washington, not far from where we once called home, breeds Norwegian Fjords. They have a new website which you ought to see to find out more about the breed. You can also see our article on Fjords for additional information.
Boo was 9, a bit too young to leave us I think - but that can happen. When pets become ill they often take a sudden turn for the worse. I'll keep her picture on the web site . Roving reporter Clancy now has to handle the work of two beagles. He's a goofball at times but I'm sure he's up to it.
Submit an Article
If you've authored an equine article you'd like to share, please contact us. Of course you'll get full credit and a link to your website when it's published.
Links to Past Articles
- Rules of Thumb for Saddle Fit - Some things you should know if purchasing a saddle for the first time. It does have to fit (rider and horse).
- Saddle Rigging Demystified - explains the basics of western saddle rigging. This article contains most everything you need to know unless your needs are very special.
- Horse Art - Eadweard Muybridge, Leland Stanford and the Hobby Horse - One individual is well known, the other less so, but what they accomplished together changed horse art forever.
- What goes on in the mind of the horse artist as they create their work? - I asked this question in a recent edition of our newsletter and received a very nice reply from our favorite European artist.
Bill Savage
https://www.your-guide-to-gifts-for-horse-lovers.com/