I posted a while back about skijoring, the wild sport where horses tow skiers. There are many variations (over obstacles, on a track, in the backyard). See this older post for some links to organizations.
I recently found this new, longer (four minute) video documenting the preparation for and running of a skijoring race in Switzerland. There's lots of fun footage and details of how the races are set up and how the horses are equipped. It can't be embedded, but you should check it out on YouTube.
In the US we usually think of Standardbreds as harness racing horses. But here and in other parts of the world the Standardbred and similar breeds are also raced under saddle. The US Trotting Association has an interesting article about the hows and whys of under saddle racing here.
One interesting feature of under saddle racing is that many of the riders are women. This has been true historically, too. The famous Standardbred Greyhound broke a record back in 1940 with a woman riding.
And more recently the speedy mare Moni Maker broke that record, with jockey Julie Krone riding.
A nice little 10 minute documentary tells the story of Moni Maker's achievement, with footage of historic races, an interview with Julie Krone, and Moni Makers record breaking trot.
It's interesting to see which breeds of horses were widely known in past times. Looking at show programs or books about horse breeds from past decades (or centuries) reveals which breeds were popular or recognized then, and it's often quite different from today.
The map pictured was issued in 1934.
The breeds described are (from bottom center, moving clockwise):
Here's a cool website with a very complete listing of Italian horse breeds. The breeds are listed in the menu on the left side. Clicking each will give you a description (in Italian, of course) and photos (usually towards the bottom of the page). There is quite a diversity, from mountain ponies to saddle horses and draft horses. Many of the saddle horses derive from combinations of Iberian, Arabian and Thoroughbred blood. Worth a browse, even if you don't speak Italian.
The Coudelaria de Alter (Alter Stud Farm) in Portugal is a grand and historic horse breeding and training facility where the rare Alter Real breed originated and is still preserved today. The facilities are sprawling and elaborate, including broodmare and breeding facilities and laboratories; multiple arenas, both indoor and outdoor; areas for cross country riding; even a mounted falconry facility (scroll down to see photos on that page).
The Alter Real is related to the Lusitano, but of a more specific bloodline, having been bred for the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arts (equivalent of the Spanish Riding School). The horses are typically bay in color, consistently larger than the Lusitano, and selected for their abilities in classical dressage. The breed has been nearly lost at times, due to war, and there were past attempts to rescue it by introducing Arabian, Hanoverian, Andalusian and other breeds. You can read a brief overview of the history in English here.
There are some nice photos of a demonstration by the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arts here.
This short video shows the huge herd of broodmares strolling through the stud farm on their way to their pasture. It's a beautiful moment, shot by a visitor (the farm is a popular tourist destination for horse lovers).
Bridlepath, an excellent horse blog, has a review of an old movie called "White Mane," featuring Camargue horses. I haven't seen it, but it looks quite interesting. Check it out here.
Riders at a festival in France ride their horses through a wall of fire. Other photos from the festival in danielguip's photostream feature the Breton horse, a handsome medium-weight draft horse.
This horse has been trained to canter on three legs! The jambette - a classical movement in which the horse holds one leg in the air for a few moments - is blended with the canter for a few strides. Surely an extremely challenging movement to teach and perform. It is done well here, appearing rhythmic and effortless.
YouTube user EmpressIllyria has a small collection of other video clips showing some rare and difficult movements from the old European riding schools. Check out the superb Spanish Walk shown here.
There are lots of resources online for learning more about braiding the mane and tail in a variety of styles, though most of them are text and photos, not videos. I like the videos better myself, and found a few to share. Most of these videos are made by professional braiders and are supplemental or promotional for instructional DVDs that they offer for sale. I have not reviewed any of the DVDs, so I can't comment on those, but these online videos are interesting and/or useful:
Top Knot Horse Braids - two videos showing basic braiding (plaiting in British English) for manes and tails.
A neat slideshow article about the life of a professional horse braider (not instructional).
GLOBAL HORSE CULTURE STORE A selection of unusual and interesting books and dvds to keep you entertained and informed. Support this blog by making your purchases through my store!
