An Update on My Friesian Rescues
Anyone who visits my farm always saves a little time to see my handsome, well-mannered horses.
Last fall, I added two more Friesians to my herd - three year old Ulysses and 10 year old Stewart, a bonded pair from The Dorset Equine Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Vermont dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming at-risk horses. Over the last few months, these two have thrived - acclimating to their new surroundings, socializing with their new friends, and learning their new routines. Both are also bigger, stronger, and more confident.
Here are the latest photos and a short video, enjoy.
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- This is Ulysses, a three year old male Friesian. It’s so wonderful to see this horse enjoy his new surroundings and his new friends.
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- Ulysses loves to socialize with the other horses. Here he is with Bond.
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- This is the patriarch of the herd, Rinze. Behind him in the distance is Stewart, my 10 year old rescue. All these horses get along very well and are often turned out together.
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- This is what I call the “run-in” pasture. It is the largest of my fenced in paddocks and has a sizable shelter where the horses can gather for shade or food, etc.
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- Stewart is athletic and loves the wide open pasture where he can run and roll as horses like to do. Since arriving, Stewart has gained almost 100 pounds and is now at a good, healthy weight.
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- Ulysses, on the left, is still quite young. When he arrived he was 14.2 hands tall – now he is 15 hands tall. One hand is equal to four inches. Ulysses has also gained 95 pounds.
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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. this is Bond.
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- Although Rinze is in his winter turnout blanket, he is a fine example of a Friesian. The Friesian is most often recognized by its bold black coat color. They also have powerful, sloping shoulders, compact, muscular bodies with strong hindquarters, and low-set tails.
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- Friesians have long, arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared, “Spanish-type” heads.
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- Something has caught their attention – I wonder what it is. In winter, my horses are turned out during the day and then brought back to the stable where it is much warmer at night.
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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. On this day, five of my horses are turned out here – four Friesians and my Fell pony. Two other Friesians – Hylke and Geert – are in another paddock.
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- This is my pony Banchunch, full of personality and always wanting to play.
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- Here they all are in the afternoon waiting to go back to their stalls for lunch.
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- Ulysses and Bond want to be first at the gate.
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- Stewart and Ulysses are bonded, so they are always walked together. Bonded means they have developed a strong connection to each other, due mostly to the time they’ve spent with each other.
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- So far, these two are doing great and love the rest of the herd. I am so pleased with their recovery so far. I know they will continue to thrive here at Cantitoe Corners.
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- If you’re interested in supporting The Dorset Equine Rescue, Cosa Salvaje Tequila is partnering with DER. For every Friesian Horse bottle sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to the organization to help more horses in need.
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