The Ardennes Horse

The Ardennes horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in Europe. It origins in the rough and hilly region of the Ardennes of France, Belgium and Luxembourg and his ancestors, also heavy horses, have been known even by the Romans. This horse breed has been used to influence and create a lot of breeds: it is part of the Ardennes-Flemish group that comprises of breeds like the Ardennes draft, the Belgian draft, The Northern Ardennes, the Auxois, the Comtois,the Swedish Ardennes, the Yougoslavian Ardennes, the Russian(or Sovjet) heavy horse and the Freiberg. These breeds are spread over countries of Western-Middle Europe, but also Eastern parts of Europe and Scandinavia. Some of them are endangered breeds (in France: Auxois, Northern Ardennes, Ardennes.

This horse is quite versatile, ideal for hard farmwork and forestry work in sensitive areas, very good for driving and they are used even in competitive driving trials.
But this is not all: they are being lately discovered as riding horses and very good and reliable companions for riding for disabled riders. They are friendly, calm and docile animals and not too tall (about 14.2 - 16.4 hh).
They have got a muscular body, a short, muscular neck and a short back. Their legs are very strong and feathered. Fur color is bay, chestnut, roan and very rarely black (as this is excluded from being registered).

Free Online Horse Games

There is a selection of free online horse games. We tried them all sunday and had lots of FUN. First I thought, it might become a bit boring, but soon, I discovered how much fun we had: it is a strange feeling to navigate a horse per arrow-keys..speed and controling direction and taking obstacles correctly...that needs serious training, if you are born before 1995 :)
There are online horse games for all ages listed, some you need to train a bit, a lot are SIM or RPG games and require more dedication and time. But you might get to know other players. Check these pages out:
Free horse riding games
Free horse racing games
Free Horse stable games

Happy New Year 2008...

to all my visitors and fellow horse lovers!
2008 may become a similar exciting year as '07: blogging, website creating, visits to interesting horse people, events and much more.

Do you have a Friesian horse for sale? Why not place your ad for free on that page here? Check out this link.

Friesians are perfect driving horses for hobby and competition. However, the modern Friesian breed cannot deny its cold blooded ancestors, it looks "heavier and draftier" than most warm blooded horses. Temperament,versatility, willingness to perform, building and muscularity and its ever matching coat colour (black) helps to make it an ideal breed for carriage driving.
See here for more about Friesian horses

Gypsy Caravan Holidays - the Hows and Whats...

Ever thought about spending a holiday in a Gypsy Caravan, tingling on remote roads in Ireland, Wales or Scotland? It is certainly an adventure and almost everybody can do it. Even if you have got no experience with horses. How does it work? How much will it cost? What should you take with you? Check out this webpage, there is plenty of information about it.

Clydesdales -- Scotland's Draft Horses

Clydesdale horses are Scotland's pride! This is such a huge breed and so well tempered, that you hardly can avoid not to fall in love with them. Their sheer size is most impressive and it is amazing, how well they are to handle. They are kept for driving, farm work, showing and recently gaining popularity as riding horses.The best-known Clydesdales in America is Budweiser's team. The Clydesdale is one of the four heavy draft horse breeds recognized in the UK. It is a very versatile breed and even beginners can ride and handle them. However, one should have a profound horseknowledge before purchasing one.

Equestrian Ski-Joring

Ski Joring

Equestrian Ski Joring is a winter sport where riding and skiing is combined: a horse is pulling a person on ski. Thereby the horse can be ridden by a horseback rider or driven from the person on ski or newer, on a snowboard. It is a very speedy sport that is gaining immensely in popularity.

Its origin is Scandinavia and it has become nowadays a very specialized and highly competitive sport.
Especially in North America (USA, Canada) and in Europe (France, Switzerland) is ski-joring popular.
NASJA is an American Association that would like to make the sport more and more popular in North America.
The competitive version of this winter sport is about speed, jumping over snow ramps and slalom tracks.
To be honest, it looks pretty much fun! See here for more...

Traveling with a Gypsy Caravan - Adventure Pure

Have you ever dreamed to travel with one or two horses in a Gypsy caravan through the countryside?
There are different Vardo designs, but the best-known design is the bow-top or barrel wagon. It is actually a very practical horse-drawn vehicle, you have got everything you need in it: bed, cupboards, "kitchen" and even a small stove can be installed.
In former times traveling folk was using and living in these vehicles. The whole family could sleep in it and often they used also a tent to get more shelter.
Nowadays a horse-drawn caravan can be booked for a certain time, so that you can spend your holidays in such a wagon, traveling at slow speed through the idyllic countryside...
Read on about horse-drawn caravans here.