My Friesian Rescues are Settling In
It will take time for my newest Friesian horses, Ulysses and Stewart, to fully acclimate to life at my farm, but so far these handsome steeds are doing excellently.
This bonded pair arrived last week from The Dorset Equine Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Vermont dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming at-risk horses. The two had a great first weekend - exploring their new surroundings, meeting new friends, and learning their new routines. They especially loved eating the hay from last week's big second-cut harvest in my run-in pasture.
Here are a few more photos, enjoy.
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- The new Friesians had a great weekend. They currently live in my run-in pasture. It is large with lots of room to roam.
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- This is Ulysses, a three year old male. It’s so wonderful to see him run and enjoy his new surroundings.
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- The Friesian is most often recognized by its bold black coat color. They have long, arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared, “Spanish-type” heads. They also have powerful, sloping shoulders, compact, muscular bodies with strong hindquarters, and low-set tails.
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- A Friesian horse has a long, thick mane and tail, often wavy, and “feather” long, silky hair on the lower legs always left untrimmed. These two horses are still in recovery and will fill out more as time progresses.
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- Here they are this weekend – let’s see how they look in a couple months.
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- Both horses are strong eaters. Here they are grazing on what’s left over from the recent hay harvest.
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- They also enjoy their grains and supplements. Here is Stewart eating his first meal. Of course, both horses already have new personalized halters.
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- Ulysses prefers more personal service. This bonded pair will transition slowly from what they have been eating at DER to their new diet here at the farm. It is crucial to follow a gradual switch to minimize digestive upset.
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- Juan Londoño, who works in my stable, is excellent with all the horses. Here he is with Stewart – they will be fast friends.
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- The horses were shown their water source right away. Horses drink water by siphoning it through pursed lips, not by lapping it up like other animals. Stewart and Ulysses are good drinkers.
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- These horses are bonded, which means they have developed a strong connection to each other, due mostly to the time they’ve spent together.
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- Where one goes, the other will soon follow.
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- Friesians are loved for their excellent temperaments. They are gentle, affectionate, social, adaptable, and very eager to please. They are also highly intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training methods.
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- A Friesian can weigh anywhere from 1200 to 1500 pounds when full grown. They are also considered medium to large breed horses and can range in height from 15.3 to 17 hands tall.
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- I think Ulysses is getting accustomed to the camera. There have been lots of photos taken of the pair these last few days.
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- And then they’re off again…
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- Running from one end to the other. They seem quite happy.
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- Here they are at the edge of the field waiting for visitors.
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- This is a photo of Cesar with Ulysses taken by my longtime driver, Carlos “Uno” Villamil.
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- In the coming months, I will slowly introduce them to the rest of the herd, but for now, I am so glad these two are acclimating well. You’re going to love it here at Cantitoe Corners, Stewart and Ulysses!
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