Extraordinary Mothers
Dog adopts kittens, cat adopts fawn, goat adopts colt, and leopard adopts baboon.
via Scott Stone
Horse Videos Archives
Amazing Horsemanship
Watch professional horse trainer, Stacy Westfall, ride bareback and bridle-less through an amazing routine.
200 Horses Rescued from an Island
Around 200 horses got stuck on a small island for days after a heavy storm. The video is by the Dutch newsgroup NOS Journaal.
Alexis Ells Is Healing Horses at the Equine Sanctuary
Alexis Ells at the Equine Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and retrains injured performance horses that can no longer compete. See the video here: Healing Horses
From the time she was a small child, Alexis Ells remembers rescuing injured animals and bringing them home for care.
“Healing has always been innate to me,” says Ells. “It’s been a calling, a passion. I was one of those blessed people who always knew what she wanted to do.”
By continuing to follow this innate passion, Ells is fulfilling her life’s dream as the founder of the Equine Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and retrains injured performance horses that can no longer compete.
Located in Ojai, California, the sanctuary accommodates horses that usually require extensive veterinary care and are at high risk of being euthanized. Through their work, Ells and her team of volunteers have improved—and often saved—the lives of thousands of animals. Most horses are healed and adopted by families and go on to lead long, productive lives. Those that require ongoing care remain as goodwill ambassadors in the sanctuary’s educational and therapeutic program for children and adults.
John Henry, the Unforgetable Racehorse
Erin Ryder at BloodHorse.com writes about John Henry in Hoofing It with John Henry
If you’ve visited the Kentucky Horse Park sometime in the past few months, you might have noticed a small, dark brown gelding, utterly unremarkable apart from his obvious age, walking with purpose with bright eyes and pricked ears among the sleek and shiny show horses. Step a little closer and read the engraved plate on his halter: you’re looking at John Henry.
John Henry was twice Thoroughbred Horse of the Year (1981 and 1984), won $6.5 million, and is still the richest gelding in Thoroughbred racing history. He’s also known as a difficult character around the barn.
What’s different about John Henry now from a few months ago, when the world wondered if he would actually make his 32nd birthday?
He has been going for morning walks around the park (see video). Given his head, he drops his nose like a bird dog, picks his course, and is off. His “mystery excursions” might take him to the lake, for a tour of the cross country course, through the hustle and bustle of whatever show is running that day, or sometimes right through the middle of the Parade of Breeds to revel in the applause he clearly feels is still his due.
Make no mistake, he has earned his notoriously nasty reputation. Cathy Roby, who manages the park’s Hall of Champions, John’s home for the past 22 years, said she bears 16 years worth of scars that prove he’s a tough charge to handle. However, she reported John has mellowed–a little–with age, and that his improved attitude since his daily excursions began has changed the whole dynamic of the barn.
Below are some videos of this great horse.
Blind Colt Does It His Way
Here is a funny story about Cash, the blind colt, from the June edition of the Rolling Dog Ranch newsletter:
We were heading out for afternoon barn chores one day last week when we saw our blind foal Cash mowing the grass in his own unique way. We kind of wondered how the grass was getting clipped so far from the corral panels.
Most horses will stand at the edge of a corral and stick their heads under the bottom rail to eat the nearby grass. Cash, who is completely blind and has never seen other horses do it the “normal” way, figured out another approach. His way definitely has its advantages, as you’ll see in this 40-second video!
And when he’s finished — which can take a while, since he likes to snooze off and on while dining — he just slides himself back under the corral panels.
Tour de Horse
These cyclists got a big surprise when they were joined by an unconventional participant. This is amazing footage!
Equine Artistry
Cholla is a 20 year old Mustang/Quarter Horse with an artistic flair who took up painting in 2004. His owner, Renee Chambers, noticed Cholla’s curiosity with brushes and paint while she was painting her corral fences one day. Since Cholla loved to hold things in his teeth, she decided to give him brushes and paints of his own. And, the rest is history. Cholla’s artwork has been featured in galleries across the country. Click here to see the artist at work.
Just Horsing Around
Did you know that horses love to play? This video shows some having a ball. It really looks like fun!