Equiculture: Anam Cara Farm

01/03/2025

Neil Dimmock Garioch MacHall

A Guinness World Record 50 Horse Hitch was held to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Navan fair. Watched by almost all of the village this consisted of 50 Clydesdale horses hitched as one team and driven 3.5 km through the village.

01/03/2025

01/03/2025

I've received several inquiries about daily expenses for the horses. Here's a breakdown:

- Each horse consumes one bale of hay per day.
- They require approximately 5 gallons of grain daily.
- When in stalls, they use about 1.5 bags of bedding each day.
- Each horse drinks around 30 gallons of water daily.
- Shoeing occurs every 8 weeks.

To summarize the costs:
- Hay: $15.00 per bale
- Grain: $20.00 per bag, averaging about 15 bags per week
- Bedding: $7.00 per bag
- Shoeing: $200.00 per horse every 8 weeks, plus additional supplies

Overall, the total cost for 7 horses comes to approximately $1,300.00 per week. This is with no vet or chiropractic visits. Dental is once a year at 160.00 per horse.
The number of horses changes the equation. We have done parades with a team. It cuts costs tremendously but does not have the wow factor many desire. Insurance for semi and pickup is 200.00 a month. Replacement costs for horses are on average 15k to 20k in today's market.
Disclaimer before the keyboard warriors get fired up for war, this is an average ,not gospel in every region. So yes, every donation is needed and much appreciated! https://gofund.me/6d44e50d. I may be delusional but I don't see where this exhibit can't be maintained with a little help

12/31/2024

12/31/2024

Lipizzaner Foals Of The Spanish Riding School Of Vienna
The lineage of the Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School dates back to the 18th century and has remained unbroken throughout the years. No other horse breed globally matches the exceptional breeding and training standards set by this esteemed lineage.

Currently, over 70 stallions from this renowned breed reside in the Hofburg in Vienna. They represent the essence of a long-standing tradition that has been meticulously maintained to this day. As was the practice 400 years ago, these horses are trained in Vienna by the riders of the Spanish Riding School and are showcased to millions of enthusiastic spectators from around the globe.

12/30/2024

12/23/2024

Marguerite Henry was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, as the youngest of five children. Her family encouraged her love for storytelling and animals. She suffered from rheumatic fever as a child, which kept her bedridden for years and nurtured her passion for reading and writing. In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry and dedicated her life to writing.

Famous Works:
Marguerite Henry is widely known for her children's books about animals, such as Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind, Justin Morgan Had a Horse, and Brighty of the Grand Canyon. These stories often blended fictional narratives with historical accuracy and were inspired by real animals.

Writing Style and Themes:
Her writing combined a love for animals with historical settings, making her books both educational and engaging. She excelled at crafting relatable stories centered on perseverance, the bond between humans and animals, and the importance of nature and heritage.

Impact on Literature and Society:
Her books inspired generations of readers to appreciate animals and history. By bringing attention to unique stories like that of the Chincoteague ponies, she helped shape animal literature for children.

Legacy and Recognition:
She received several awards, including the Newbery Medal for King of the Wind and Newbery Honors for other works. Misty of Chincoteague became a cultural icon, inspiring a film adaptation and promoting tourism to Chincoteague Island.

Additional Details:
Marguerite Henry was meticulous in her research. She visited Chincoteague Island and worked closely with the Beebe family, who were central to the story of Misty of Chincoteague. This dedication to authenticity made her books beloved by readers and educators.