“Pic of the Week”, February 25, 2017: Percheron Horses, Bar-U Ranch

IMG_5511

Percheron horses are an ancient breed and much of their history is unknown.  Some believe they may have been used by the Romans, others credit the breed to the Moors.  It is known that modern Percherons originated around La Perche in Normandy.

Percherons are large, strong animals that were primarily used for heavy draft work and, as such, were popular carriage and farm horses.  They were used in World War I to haul artillery.  Percherons are known for their intelligence, even temperament, ease of handling and hard-working spirit.

The horses were exported to North America in the 19th century and caught the eye of some breeders.  When I visited the Bar U Ranch in Alberta a few years back, …

Read More

Karl on | Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”, February 25, 2017: Percheron Horses, Bar-U Ranch

“Pic of the Week”, May 15, 2015: The Saddle-Maker

IMG_5418

We came across this rustic-looking fellow at the Bar-U Ranch, about an hour’s drive south of Calgary.  He’s a leather-worker by trade and makes saddles.   He’s very much of the 21st century, although from the photos it seems he would fit in well in the days of the Wild West 150 years earlier.

He’s a cowboy poet and recited several of his poems for us, which were good.  But what interested me most is what he was making the day we visited because it wasn’t a saddle.  He was making a miniature pair of chaps for his one year old grandson!

 

Karl on | Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”, May 15, 2015: The Saddle-Maker

“Pic of the Week”. April 25, 2014: Gauchos at the roundup

2014 17a April 25d Gauchos at roundup, Torres Del Paine

In scenes reminiscent of the Old West, these gauchos are rounding up the herds of horses at Torres del Paine National park in Chile.

Trail riding is popular in Chile, and the hotel where we were staying had a large stable of horses for hire.  In the evening the horses were turned into a large pasture to graze and in the morning they were rounded up and brought back to the stable.

While young, these gauchos were very skilled and the horses respected and listened to their commands.  It was fun to watch them work!

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance)

Karl on | Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”. April 25, 2014: Gauchos at the roundup