We went to Idaho last weekend for the International Draft Horse Show and Sale. Overall it looked like the entries were way down, probably because of the cost of travelling in a poor economy. I used to see the barns bursting with heavies, but this year there were only a few hitches. We didn't stay to watch the classes, but did tour the barns and the trade fair. One of the highlights was sculptor, Gabe Gabel. Here is a link to her website .
Absolutely wonderful pieces! The fawn on my Sunday Stills post is one of hers. Since she lives close by I plan on a visit to her place; in her brochure it says "She and her Master Gardener husband, Emmette, also concentrate on the sculpture garden at her gallery and their innovative vegetable garden where they demonstrate alternative growing methods to visitors". Sounds like it would be a really interesting place to visit!
That is Gabe in this photo with one of my favourite of her sculptures.
There were some lovely horses that drew my camera like flies to honey, like this big soft eyed Percheron stallion.
There was a hitch of Belgians all dressed up;
A Gypsy Vanner who was there for sale- I love these horses, someday I'd like to have one of these!
This big boy was also in my Sunday Stills:
He was huge, it's hard to tell from the photo, but I had to look way up at him.
Mrs. Mom, I took this photo for you- feel free to rant!
All in all it was a lovely trip and a nice way to spend the day with my husband.
The calf in my wordless Wednesday post is indeed a new addition to our menagerie; a pail-bunter that will be in our freezer someday. World, meet Url (my husband named him and that's how he wanted it spelled).
The horses all get along with him, I turn him out with Beamer during the day and he lives with the mares at night.
Chickory decided to remain hard to catch, so I turned her world upside down. When I kick the mares out to pasture, and Beamer and Url out to their pasture, she spends the day in Beamer's pen. It is about the size of a large round pen, so we had a "conversation" in it yesterday afternoon. It looked like this at the start-
and a whole lot of considering on her part
and about an hour later I finally got her to realize that I wasn't going away, that I could control her feet and direction and speed, I finally got join up- but it took getting join up 3 times before she completely surrendered and was my pony.
I am getting impatient to ride her again, but until I have her mind, there is no sense in continuing the rest of her training. I was kind of waiting for her to regress as I haven't been working her consistently, and now that she is a lot more physically mature I can work her more. Today she is still separated from the herd, and this afternoon we will see if she learned anything yesterday.
17 comments:
Those sculptures are simply AMAZING Shirley. Just stunning. How can people pick just ONE to take home??
I can't rant about the feet. Can't do it. That particular shoe job, from what I can see of them under the feathers, is better than the majority of what tortures draft horses are subjected to.
Beamer will be jealous if you bring horse a Vanner horse.. LOL
Beautiful horses and scultpures ! Url=U R Lunch?
Chickory has grown into a real beauty, I am sure the good work you are doing with her will pay off. She has come an awfully long way from the "wild child" you brought home
This is all so interesting to me! What a lovely weekend you had. That Percheron stallion looks like velvet! And the sculptures...amazing! Such talent! But most of all, I like your profile!! To love horses, dogs, your living faith and husband...what could be better!
I'm very happy to be "following" your blog and if you feel so inclined I'd be very happy to welcome you to mine. It's about St. Nicholas - talk about a person living his faith - and Christmas!
Ann
Really like that pic of the harnesses!
Chickory, lol, what a stubborn girl!
I was waiting to see what Mrs. Mom said about the feet :) I thought to myself, well those don't look too bad! Especially considering some of the stuff I've seen online... It just makes me glad I don't have to shoe drafts anymore. They're a lot of work to shoe!! Forge and cradle, mandatory!!
What a GREAT artist! You should come, bring the Chic, to the Hat and go to the clinic I'm going to this weekend. Quality time with your horse and a great instructor.
That shoeing job is on one of the Canadian Fort Steele black Clydesdales. I thought his feet were really far forward, not underneath the structure of his legs, but maybe that is the way the breed is? I confess to knowing nothing about draft horse conformation.
Ann, thanks for stopping by; I'll come visit your blog.
Mmmm cow!
I also love the harness picture, but also love Belgians, so the two together is perfect.
I love drafts, they remind me of my dad who never drove any kind of motor vehicle. Only horses, he quit farming when they quit using them.
My secret to catching any horse is the game of keep away (keeping them away from the herd). Best thing I ever learned.
CCC, it's not working with Chickory; that's what I've been doing. It seems she has reverted to her "wild child" as Sherry called it. Today she absolutely refused to give to me. I quit when I could touch her- it took 2 hours. I have an interesting theory that I'll share in a few days.
Honestly Shirley- and we'll get Mikey to chime in too- the first thing I thought when I saw that picture was the horse has either DSLD (that is what the "old" term was anyways-- Dropped Suspensory Ligament Disorder) or some form of dropped pasterns, maybe from injury, or just built that way.
sounds like a very nice trip! I'd love to go to that I think! And the sculptures were lovely! Looking forward to hearing about your trip to her studio and gardens when that comes around.
I'm ignorant when it comes to drafts. What's wrong with their feet?
and when I say what's wrong with their feet, I was meaning what is wrong with the shoeing? I know they have big feet. I wasnt' saying that I was ignorant of that.
Sarah, I put that photo on, because it looks like a good shoeing job but I was surprised at how far ahead of his legs that his feet are and was wondering if it is genetic or a result of a style of trimming.
Looked like it was a great day for you and hubby.
I've always had an attraction to the draft breeds, especially the mules. I don't think I ever thought I might own one, especially since I can barely mount a horse under 15hh, but there is just something so strong, regal, majestic about a draft.
That black percheron looks like Beamer on steroids! lol!
Does URL stand for how we barcode items for sale over here in the US? lol! What kind of cow is he? Looks like a dairy cow.
I hope you go visit the sculptor at their home. I'd love to hear about their alternative growing methods. Around here, we could use some alternative growing methods. hah!
~Lisa
wow - i don't understand how on EARTH somebody can create such beautiful sculptures like that!
- The Equestrian Vagabond
That looked like a great trip!
I forgot to say that when I separate horses, they get a 12x12 stall with a 12x12 run (the run can be lengthened to 48 feet if I want it to be that long and I can close off either the stall or the run). This way, I can get them to face up to catch them (after they are gentled enough to handle)...go to the round pen and do it some more.
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