http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100907131506.htm

Is Your Horse a Rare Breed?

Because each one is so precious to us for their unique contribution, we have to take care of those that carry low numbers. There are a number of breeds that are in very real trouble and each one listed on this page is in critical danger of becoming extinct.

‘Critical’ means these breeds have less than 300 active breeding mares worldwide. Sorry I don’t have images of all of them – they are that rare.

The Whole Critical List

This is the most up-to-date & comprehensive list I could find, but if anyone has any knowledge of more critical breeds (heaven-forbid) or any that have made a recovery I hope you’ll let me know in the comments below.

Draft Breeds

American Cream Draft
A robust American draft breed that was officially recognized in 1950.
Suffolk
The oldest draft breed from England and very little has changed in their confirmation.

Horse Breeds

Barb
Their bloodlines are at least 2000 years old and influenced many Iberian breeds. Cleveland Bay
Originally bred (with Barb foundations) as cart horses & principally bred by the church.
Colonial Spanish
Comes from Iberian animals brought to the Americas and bred very pure by several indigenous tribes.
Abaco Barb
A tiny population of mysterious Barb descendants of unknown origin found on Abaco island in the Bahamas.
Banker Wild Horses
Also believed to be of Spanish descent and found exclusively on the Outer Banks of the Carolinas in the US.
Carolina Marsh Tacky
Another descendant of Spanish animals found in South Carolina & once used as cow horses.
Florida Cracker Horse
Spanish stock that made their home in Florida & carried a high % of Spanish Jennet blood.
Spanish Barb
Created in the Americas in the 16th & 17th centuries by crossing Iberian animals with Barbs.
Spanish Mustang
We all know their story by now…it’s the American Mustang story.
Mountain Pleasure
Created around 160 years ago, this gaited breed association doesn’t encourage showing of their animals.

Pony Breeds

Exmoor Pony
A hardy pony whose ancestors roamed Britain around 100,000 years ago.
Dales Pony
A pony that is every bit as handsome as they are tough.

Small Horse Breeds

Caspian
One of the most ancient equine bloodlines on the planet, the Caspian is also one of the few miniature horses made 100% by Mother Nature.

Sadly More To Come…

I feel sure that this list is missing animals of Asian & African descent & will be on the lookout for better information. If anyone can tell me where to find it, please speak up in the comments below!

Website & Places you can find my work online
Website: www.HorseshoesByDesign.com
Etsy: HorseshoesByDesign
Facebook Fan Page: Horseshoes By Design
Twitter: @HorseshoeArt

Where I am
Midwest – suburbs of Chicago

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I was born in raised in the Chicagoland area, however I’ve lived in Minnesota and North Carolina for college. My degree is in Communication and Psychology and my master’s work was in Organizational Development.

I’ve spent the last 17 years as a leadership and diversity consultant for Fortune 500’s. I love guiding and sharing with people a new perspective in the workplace and understanding the human element at work.

I also went to floral design school and worked in the industry. It gave me a great eye for color and balance.

I married my best friend 11 years ago on September 11 and we now have a beautiful and soulful 8 year old daughter, Mirabella Rose. I also am the co-founder and managing editor and art director of an exclusive magazine for a local country club and surrounding neighborhoods. It keeps me busy and I love it!

Which came first, horses or art? 
My love for horses came when I was 9, then my love for art – photography, art history, impressionism, and floral design. As a teenager, I would spend hours wandering the halls of the Art Institute of Chicago. I could just be with my thoughts and the art. My love for horses rekindled when my daughter began to ride. I realized I could combine both.

What inspired you to start creating your horse shoe art? 
When my daughter began riding I researched all things horses. I discovered a side of the horse industry I knew nothing about – horses being brought to auction. Some individuals were buying these horses, but many were being bought by rescues, or being sent to slaughter. I didn’t even know what that meant.

After more research, tears and being horrified, I felt helpless. What could one person in the Chicago suburbs do to make a difference?

It came to me when I attended a spiritual horse workshop. We were asked to bring something that represented horses to us. I had an old horseshoe from the barn and starting designing it with gems and stones. Now I donate a portion of all sales to organizations dedicated to giving horses a second chance.

Do you get a feeling about the animal through their shoes & does it guide you as you create each piece? 
Yes, I really do get a feeling which is why I only design with used shoes. It requires much more work using an old shoe because of the cleaning, but it’s important. I will often ask a client to send a photo of their horse. The picture and shoe will tell me something about their personality. I did this with the shoe from Monty Robert’s horse.

Some horses are turquoise and others are pearls. Some clients send shoes from their riding partner that has passed and I always feel a strong connection. I am lucky to know so many horses I haven’t even met.

You’ve also designed a line of the cutest locally made tees & totes using your horse shoe motif & clever slogans. What does sourcing locally mean to you?
I started my line once I knew I could have my designs made locally. I could have had them produced overseas for much less, however, I feel great about creating work here in my community and helping to support another business owner. Supporting local businesses can make a community strong and come together.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
Not really, every horse I see…I love!! However, I do have two of the cutest cockapoos – Cooper & Lewis who I talk to all day long in my studio!

During the month of September you are donating some of your proceeds to The Second Race, can you tell us a little about it? 
I contacted Sharla Sanders who started The Second Race after following her on Facebook. I love the work she is doing – working directly with race tracks, owners and trainers to re-home the thoroughbreds at the end of their racing career. Finding them homes from the track prevents them from being at auction or worse. She loved my work and it felt like the right fit for us. I am excited about working with her. Hooves crossed we can raise a nice amount of money for them!

Is there a particular place that brings you inspiration?
I love the mountains in Colorado and Arizona, I feel connected and more at peace.

Locally, I bring my camera to the stable and just watch the horses in the pastures. My daughter and I spend hours there just hanging with horses.

What effect do you think the Internet is having on art and handmade items?
It has changed the landscape for everyone and allows us access to great artist and products that we may have not heard of. Etsy.com is a perfect example.

Has it had an effect on yours?
Definitely!! Because of the internet and Facebook, I have made the most amazing connections and why I was able to showcase my designs at the United States Equestrian Team Gala in Wellington, FL and also launch my apparel line at Rolex in Lexington. It is a brilliant marketing tool.

Which one is your personal favorite shoe design so far?
That’s a hard one! I really do love them all. The Sedona brings me back to the crystal blue skies and mountains of Arizona. However, I just designed a shoe from a filly that ran in the 2010 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. It will be presented to the owner shortly. I chose the Bella design – garnets, rose quartz, pearls, and Swarovski crystal because Kentucky Oaks day is all about the fillies, lilies and pink!

Many artists never leave time to make anything for themselves; do you keep any of your own horseshoes that aren’t for sale? 
I have one. I designed a shoe for the USET Gala and I asked Monty Roberts to sign it. I used green apple jade, amethyst, peridot, fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystal. I keep it in my living room, it brings me great luck!

When we get a horse someday, I will then design his shoe and somehow I think it will be the Bella design – named after my daughter Mirabella Rose.

What else are you passionate about?
I am all about my family and spending time with special people. I love photography and always have my camera in hand. I have been the president of our school’s PTA for 4 years because I believe in giving back and staying connected to her school community. I love romantic comedies, reading mysteries, any horse book, and most importantly – anything chocolate!

Working on anything new?
Always! A new apparel design Live Simply. It will be available on all items this fall. I will also begin designing custom sterling silver and gem embellished hand stamped necklaces and halter tags. I feel it will be a nice addition with my designs.

More to Come

Thanks to Laura for answering the interview and sharing her work. Be sure to check out her website to check out her art and her adorable clothing & accessories.

Also stay tuned for more interviews with horse artists and photographers. Are you a horse artist or do you know an equine artist you’d like to see featured? Add your name and website in the comments below or drop me a note to get involved.

As we head down the slope towards colder temperatures I figured I had better post this before winter arrived. Not to mention my recent obsession with unique & interesting types of equine art – I’d say creating horses out of solid water is pretty unusual indeed!

I’m guessing most of them are snow sculpture contest entries (& hopefully winners) but each one displays a decidedly different artistic style & vision.

Some of them are beautifully done and highly detailed – it’s such a shame they have to melt.

A Rise in Temperature

It’s not just about the snow, stay tuned for next week when we take a look at some horses in the sand – and attempt to hold onto summer for just one more week. For now why not check out some other types of unusual horse art?

Today it’s all about horse movies of the 1990′s which gave us interesting flicks like Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, silly humor like Hot to Trot and the long awaited Return to Snowy River. Each one provides a brief description with links to their IMDB & where they can be purchased online. Enjoy!

Stay Tuned for the 21st Century

The last two decades have been biggies when it comes to horses on the silver screen. Be sure to check out the complete list and stop by next week to see what kinds of horse movies the 21st century has to offer.

Quick Education

This quick video provides some insight about horse diseases that you may not have heard of. Be sure to ask your vet about them next time they are around, first hand knowledge from them is always the best.

Although there is very little to worry about with most of these, it is good to have a basic understanding of them…just in case you need it.

Horse Health Videos

Be sure to check back next Sunday when we will learn a little more about common horse eye problems. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out last week’s video about the basics of stomach ulcers.

Image from StartAgain

Awhile back I wrote a post about funky horse cakes and in the last few months I’ve located more to share. It seems creative bakers never tire of ways to wow us!

Summer of the Unusual

This summer I’m exploring interesting types of horse art, (including embroidery & antique toys) and cakes definitely fall into the mix. That said, I have plenty more fun to come as we fall into autumn & cooler days.

Here are some more fun & funky cakes with a definite horsey theme. I don’t know about you, but I think I like the cupcakes best.

Have A Favorite?

The big white horse at the top is really magnificent (I think it was a contest entry) but I have to lean towards the unicorn cupcakes. If you liked these, don’t forget to check out part 1.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100902093454.htm

The Wiltshire White Horses are a well photographed element of a history unique to England. In fact, other cultures have seen & liked them so much they have developed their own white horses.

There is a long list of white chalk horses, some of which are located in Wiltshire & collectively known as the Wiltshire horses, while others are located in different areas of Britain (& a few outside the country altogether). Hackpen (also called Broad Hinton & Winterbourne Bassett) white horse is one of the former and located within Wiltshire.

This horse was created on a fairly shallow slope, so banking was required under the head to make it more visible.

Hackpen Basics

Use the latitude & longitude coordinates to find it on Google earth yourself.

Where - This horse can be found on Hackpen Hill at the edge of Marlborough Downs, two miles SE of Broad Hinton Village.

Size - 90 feet wide by 90 feet high.

Year Created - 1838

Latitude & Longitude - 51.282069W 1.490317W

The Story

This white horse is a bit of a mystery, it was cut in 1838 by Henry Eatwell, a parish clerk of Broad Hinton to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria. Not much else is known about the horse other than more recent maintenance efforts.

In September of 2004 one Bevin Pope cleaned & weeded the entire thing singlehandedly – I guess enough was enough.

This horse has known intermittent bouts of maintenance & neglect (as Bevin above proved) & from what I read the horse is currently not very well maintained.

More Information

Here are a couple of sources for information about the Cherhill White Horse.

Hackpen White Horse
Wiltshire White Horses – Hackpen

More Huge White Horses

There are plenty more where that came from, this is just the second in a long list of huge horses on this planet of ours. Be sure to check out the list of white horses and stay tuned for more to come.

If you haven’t been following the series, be sure to take a look at earlier letters A | B | C | D | E | E. Today it’s about breeds that start with the letter G, from the tough as nails Galiceño a Mexican breed of Spanish ancestry, to the flashy Gypsy Vanner in all it’s glorious technicolor.

The G’s are a slightly larger collection of breeds and some of them have an amazing story to tell.

Big Daddy G’s

As always the granddaddy’s of the breeds get first respect and the G’s have some old ones. There is the prehistoric Garrano who has been in Portugal since the Paleolithic era & the fascinating Giara only found on the Italian island of Sardinia where horses have been domesticated since close to 6000 BC.

Personal Favorite G’s

It’s true, I base a lot of my breed favoritism on looks, I’m just shallow that way. So sometimes the oldest or the most interesting don’t make the cut. For G I like the mysterious Ghazi for which I was able to find an image & a video but no information; the lovely Golden Saddlebred because I’m a sucker for blondes; the long eared Grand Noir du Berry Donkey (I know it’s not a horse) but it’s name translates to Great Black Berry Ass; and last the showy Gypsy Vanner they are just a blur of vibrant color and feathers.

The Whole List

Here it is, the full list of breeds that begin with G. If I’m missing something, let me know and I’ll add it to my list (don’t want to forget anybody).

Galiceño Pony
Galician Pony | Gallego | Galaga
Galloway Pony
Galshar
Garrano | Garrano do Minho
Gayoe Pony
Gelderlander | Gelderland
Geogrgian Grand
German Coach Horse
German Cold-Blooded
German Riding Pony
Gharbaui
Ghazi
Giara
Gidran
Glasinacki
Goklan
Golden American Saddlebred
Golden Horse of Bohemia
Gotland Pony
Grand Noir du Berry Donkey | Great Black Berry Ass
Greek Pony
Greyson Highlands Ponies
Groningen Horse | Groninger
Guangxi Horse | Guanxi
Guanzhong
Guba
Guizhou Pony
Guoxia Pony
Gutsul | Guculs | Guzuls
Gypsy Vanner

What’s Your Favorite G?

It’s the donkey isn’t it? If a funny name isn’t enough to earn favorite status there are plenty more G’s to choose from. Feel free to leave your favorite in the comments below, then go check out the rest of the alphabet A | B | C | D | E | F.