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Archive for the ‘Icelandic Horse News’ Category
Urgent–Icelandic Horses Need Your Help!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Dear Readers,
I received the following distressing email this weekend and was very disturbed to see this. We do not know which farm or farms sent these Icelandic horses to slaughter but it was definitely not our farm. These horses are currently located in Toppenish, near Yakima–not a far drive at all to save a life! Please be careful who you sell your horses to and help us rescue these wonderful animals!
Thank you,
Karen Hood
Karen Hood
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You may have been reading about the herd of Icelandic ponies that were dumped at the feedlot in Toppenish over the weekend and are available for adoption this week. There were 60 originally, and there are about 40 left. The slaughter buyer from Canada is coming on Sunday Nov 21 to pick up the ones that aren’t adopted. If you are interested in saving one of these ponies’ lives or know anyone else that might be, call Sam at (509) 952-3866. Sam is trying to convince the feedlot to give her another week to find owners, so let’s hope. They are selling them for $475 for the smaller ones, and $575 for the larger ones. They looked to be mostly 12-14hh, and very stout. I’ve heard different versions of how they got there, and haven’t confirmed any yet. Sam said they are from an Icelandic breeder, and they are 2-14 years old, and should be halter broke at least. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine. Because there were so many, and they were moving in a herd, I couldn’t really single any out to examine them, but they seemed healthy and strong as far as I could tell. As with any horse adopted from the feedlot, they would have to be quarantined for a few weeks in case of illness they might have picked up at the feedlot. If anyone adopts one and doesn’t have a place to quarantine, you can put it in my round pen with mine, as long as you provide the hay. The mares have been exposed to stallions, so some may be bred. I’ve asked Dr. Root if he would consider offering a discount for a vet check for people that have adopted these ponies, and am waiting to hear back from him. I have no idea if there are any geldings, or if they are all still stallions. I can say that not one of them acted studdy last night though.
There were lots of sorrels with flaxen mane/tail, a few grays, a gruella, a buckskin, solid blacks, and some paints. I think most of the paints were spoken for though. We adopted a white one.
These are awesome ponies, very gentle disposition, intelligent, and gaited. It would be a tragedy for them to go to slaughter, as it would be with any sound horse.
Please pass this on, and keep them in your prayers.
~
All photos in this post are photos of the actual horses in question. They were taken with a cell phone in low light; please excuse the poor quality–they really are beautiful animals.
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Icelandic Horse for Sale!!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Kesja-(Birthday: August 13, 2008) Translated in English, Kesja means weapon, and when I hear the word, I think of Excalibur, sharp, awe inspiring, the knights of Camelot attacking towns, and Vikings singing praises of Norse gods and sacking villages, both in a desperate quest for gold, a grail, rare treasures of any kind. And I think of Iceland: hot sulfurous veins exploding through black volcanic rock, something pure cutting through all the crap. Kesja, a 2 year old silver dapple filly stands 12 hands tall and is all of those things, well, definitely one of them, for starters, exceptionally pure. After all, silver dapple is a rare color highly valued in Iceland and the United States. Kesja also has a beautiful white mane courtesy of her grandfather and prize stallion Hugur. Her temperament is sweet like her mother Dimma, her gaits easy recalling the sturdy air of her father Aspar—her natural 5 gaits a rarity themselves compared to other breeds. This horse, tracing its roots to the land of fire and ice is indeed legendary.
If you would like more information about this or any other Icelandic horse for sale, please contact Karen Hood at Mountain Valley View Farm at 509-924-8112. Thank you! We look forward to matching you with the perfect Icelandic horse for you.
Icelandic Horse for Sale!!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Glenna-(Birthday: July 6, 2008) A few days ago, thick clouds hung in the sky, water’s scent lingered in the air—a storm was brewing, but I grabbed a couple yellow plums and scurried over to the pasture to try and put words to horses. I stared at the 2 -year-old grey dapple filly in front of me, bit into the cool, sweet fruit , and put my hand on her soft muzzle. It began to sprinkle, but, Glenna, the elegant filly (I’d finally remembered her name) was trotting and tolting, leaping around playfully in the rain. I was transfixed, but I dutifully measured her height, 12 hands, and I couldn’t help but be pulled in by the simple fun of it all. I fed her the last bits of my plum as the tang stuck in my mouth, the silky touch of her mane reminding me of her grandfather and prize stallion Hugur, her gentleness reminding me of her mom, Svana, and her smooth strides, gliding on the melting pastureland like soccer in the rain (if horses could play soccer), and it seemed that her father Aspar was there himself, gleaming in the rain, sturdy hooves pounding the ground. I finished writing some notes then turned slowly back to the house despite my soaked t-shirt and jeans. As I came near the house, the clouds began to drift away and I watched (now from the comfort of my dining room window) while my sister pulled up and looked at me like I was a lunatic. Later, I found out that Glenna actually means opening in the clouds. How perfect! Words seem insufficient, but that experience, and that name, well, they can try. If you’re interested in Glenna or any other of the horses listed, please contact Karen Hood at Mountain Valley View Farms at 509-924-8112. Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you.
Icelandic Horse for Sale!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Please contact Karen Hood at Mountain Valley View Farms for more information. The number is 509-924-8112.
Fjola- (Birthday August 16th, 2008) When Fjola, our chocolate filly, took her first wobbly steps under the light of a full moon, we knew that a special foal had come into the world. Her energy and strength recall the best qualities of her grandfather, the prize stallion Hugur. Standing 13 hands tall, she is two years old, a warm chocolate color, and ready to be trained for competition (her tolt is very clean. Icelanders have been known to ride horses like this, once trained, with a full glass of beer or root beer as the case may be and not spill a drop), or enjoyed as a sweet horse for the whole family. With such a gentle disposition like her mother Dimma, and smooth gaits like her silver dapple father Aspar, our daughters were in complete agreement on the name Fjola(a rare feat I’ll have you know), but a quick glance at the English translation explains why. Fjola means violet, the delicate flower, at once beautiful and strong.
Icelandic Horse For Sale!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Fifa— (Birthday June 5, 2009) A beautiful silver dapple filly with light flaxen mane reminiscent of her grandfather and prize stallion Hugur. She stands 10 hands tall, but don’t let her small stature fool you. She is a sweet little thing with a wonderful personality like her mother, Lukka. She loves to dish out kisses, so be ready with a nice pat on the head and some oats. Her father Aspar’s excellent gaits really show through in this one year old. She has a clean tolt, excellent speed in trot, and her name, Fifa, a term for an arrow is well chosen, because with the proper training she could be something to brag about in flying pace. Her potential in the arena is exciting, but the kids just love her personality. They love to go in the pasture and brush her mane. Stop by and see for yourself. Don’t forget an apple, that’s her favorite treat.
Please contact Karen Hood at Mountain Valley View Farm at 509-924-8112 for more information. Thank you!!
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