Basics 
Care
Colors 
Today’s horse poetry is by Jean de La Fontaine and it was published in The Fables of La Fontaine in the late 1600’s.
Emerald Feather Fern – Toxic Plant of the Week
Another new week and a great time to learn about yet another plant your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant doesn’t grow everywhere, but is often found in decorative planting. The delicate Emerald Feather Fern is really too lovely to eat anyway.
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Isabel Centennial Wagon Train
The town of Isabel in South Dakota celebrated their centennial in August of 2011 and held a grand event to celebrate.
Pioneer Days
Part of the festivities included a three day wagon train that started about 30 miles outside of town. This was to commemorate the days of the pioneers and the hardships they lived through. This video is a documentation of the wagon train ride.
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Pangare or Mealy Modifier – Horse Coat Colors
A few weeks ago I decided to give my colors section an update – it was time for an upgrade. There is some new info and the rest is quite simply better than it was.
Modifiers
There is an array of modifying genes which can affect base colors as well as each other, they can be further affected by dilutions and white patterns. Today I want to share a little about the pangare or mealy modifier which is commonly found in almost all breeds. This modifier is also found in other equines like mules and burros who are rarely found without it.
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The Fly-Away Horse
Today’s horse poetry is by Eugene Field and it was published in Poems of Childhood in 1904.
Elephant Ear – Toxic Plant of the Week
It’s Monday again and I’ve got another plant your horse can’t eat for you. While today’s plant is fairly common it’s not generally on the equine menu. The Elephant Ear is almost too big to eat!
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Horse Rock the City
This is an interesting equine/dance performance that combines the noble horse with a variety of different types of dance.
Unique Balance
Many of us have seen equestrian performances whether online or in person, but this one is slightly different. I like the variety of dance types used and the unique selections they used and the fact that the animal parts were simple and untaxing. The video isn’t the best quality, but it’s an interesting watch.
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Seal Bay or Brown Base – Horse Coat Colors
There are four base horse coat colors, black, chestnut, bay and brown. Black, bay and brown coats are caused by the agouti gene and it is the Dominant agouti allele that causes black hairs to be restricted to the points.
Agouti Magic
Seal brown can be subtle and is easily confused with dark bay, especially when there is a pangare modifier involved. Some registries do not consider it a different color, but a shade of bay.
Brown Comparison
Below is a couple comparisons of two animals that are similar in color, but different genetically. In both cases the brown animal is on the right.
Dark Bay vs. Seal Brown
Mealy Bay vs. Seal Brown
Seal Brown Characteristics
The only physical way to visually identify a seal brown animal is the varying degrees of lighter, reddish hair found on their soft spots, including muzzle, flank, elbow and belly.
Seal brown nose
Seal brown eyes
Seal brown flank and elbow
Learn More About Color
Be sure to visit the new and improved color section for more information (and pictures) about seal brown horses and stay tuned for more.
The Horse Wounded in Battle
Today’s horse poetry is by James Henry Leigh Hunt and I’m not sure when it was published but he lived from 1784-1859.
Elderberry – Toxic Plant of the Week
It’s Monday morning and time to learn a thing or two about a plant your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant is very common and luckily while toxic, the Elderberry isn’t a deadly beauty.
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Easter Lily – Toxic Plant of the Week
Another new week means another new plant to be on the lookout for. Today’s plant looks like it is older than time itself, the Easter Lily is one tough character.
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The Four Riders
The Four Riders is a four channel video installation that deconstructs the equine anatomy into landscapes of moving flesh. Of course the theme is the four riders of the apocalypse, but it’s beautifully shot and edited.
Scary Inspiration
Inspired by the apocalyptic atmosphere in Durer’s Four Horseman woodcut as well as by Eadweard Muybridge’s study of animal movement, this work places the horse in a contemporary context by staging the wild and grotesque next to the restrained and elegant.
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