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Remember Ernie from Horse Feathers?   Horse Rescue Updates

Started 11/17/10 by PiaC (PiaCM); 77877 views.
Msg 374 of 398 to PiaC (PiaCM)PiaCM 
In reply toRe: msg 372
jamielsg

From: jamielsg

5/19/18

He's like "what tree branch Mom?"   Love him! he is so expressive;)

 
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Msg 375 of 398
In reply toRe: msg 374
PiaC (PiaCM)

From: PiaC (PiaCM)

7/30/18

Ernie's not so sure if he likes swimming yet.  We're going to have to keep working on that! heart_eyes

 
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Msg 376 of 398 to PiaC (PiaCM)PiaCM 
In reply toRe: msg 375
gerchgo

From: gerchgo

7/30/18

I’m sure as long as you are beside him, he will settle into anything!:)

 
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Msg 378 of 398 to RT (plainswindr)plainswindr 
In reply toRe: msg 377
PiaC (PiaCM)

From: PiaC (PiaCM)

8/3/18

Yeah, he went right in but when he couldn't feel the ground under his feet anymore, he got a little scared. Next time we took him out, there was a giant inflatable swan out there. I got nervous so had my friend take him in the water. He was fine until someone jumped off the swan!

 
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Msg 379 of 398
In reply toRe: msg 378
PiaC (PiaCM)

From: PiaC (PiaCM)

10/8/18

Some exciting developments in Ernie's world!

I've always been told that Ernie is a quarter-Thoroughbred cross. Over the years there were a few things that I thought didn't quite fit with that but maybe I just didn't know enough about horses or strange things happen when you cross breeds, etc. It was never all that important to me - Ernie is Ernie and nothing changes that. But I started having more questions, especially when I bought a saddle and found that he needed a saddle designed for the shorter back of Arabians. And I realized that I've never seen ears like Ernie's on any other horse. And he has this high-stepping floaty extended trot. 
More and more people at my barn were asking questions. He's everyone's favorite horse and gets lots and lots of attention. I found a $40 DNA test that Texas A&M does so I sent off a hair sample. They give you the top three breeds that your horse has genetic markers for, in order. They don't give percentages and there are lots of caveats. But I did it for fun and fully expected to get quarter, TB and some other random breed.

BOY WAS I SURPRISED!
The top three:
  1. Mangalarga
  2. Tennessee Walker
  3. Quarter

If you are like me, you immediately want to Google Mangalarga. I'll save you the trouble. They are Brazil's national horse. Among their traits:
Ears are pointed slightly inward
Large, expressive eyes
Long, triangular face
Well developed hindquarters
Well developed neck 
Carry their heads high
Short, strong back
High set tail
Usually about 15 hands
Silky hair with full manes and tails
Docile, friendly personality
Easygoing, people-loving
Smart and easy to train
Full-breds have a special gait known as a march

Sound like anyone we know????
If that wasn't exciting enough ... in my Googling, I discovered that the largest breeder of Mangalargas in North America is located about 100 miles away from where Ernie was found at auction. I immediately wondered if Ernie might be one of his horses or related to his horses. So, I dashed off an email in which I told him Ernie's story and that I just wanted to know more about the breed and whether it was possible to find out if Ernie might be related to his horses. I included some photos of Ernie, especially those that showed his ears. 

The breeder wrote back the next day with a very nice note - he said that I made his day and that he was happy Ernie found such a good home and that I recognized there was something different about him. About the photos, he said that Ernie's ears were the dead giveaway that he is a Mangalarga. He didn't import his stallion and start his breeding program until the year after Ernie was born. I did some checking in the breed registry and what he says appears to check out. So, Ernie didn't come from his ranch. But, obviously, this guy is big in
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Msg 380 of 398 to PiaC (PiaCM)PiaCM 
In reply toRe: msg 379
gerchgo

From: gerchgo

10/8/18

What a wonderful and interesting find on Ernie!!!!

What does Ernie think about all this? I’m assuming he is NOT surprised to find out he is a very special kind of horse!! LOL. He’s such a sweetheart!

Let us know what you find out!

thanks for doing the googling for us too!:)

  • Edited October 8, 2018 7:55 pm  by  gerchgo
 
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Msg 381 of 398 to gerchgogerchgo 
In reply toRe: msg 380
PiaC (PiaCM)

From: PiaC (PiaCM)

10/9/18

No, he doesn't seem surprised at all. He always knew he was special. 

He's considering only answering to "Ernesto," however!

 
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Msg 382 of 398 to PiaC (PiaCM)PiaCM 
In reply toRe: msg 381
gerchgo

From: gerchgo

10/9/18

LOL give him a big ole hug for me!:)

 
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Msg 383 of 398 to PiaC (PiaCM)PiaCM 
In reply toRe: msg 379
sandins

From: sandins

10/27/18

Yes,,,,,wondered about the Mangalarga when you said ears,,,,,,,,,,,,,and mine is a TWH,so that might explain his gait! At least mine escaped the cruelty!

do you have a pic,as it has been a long  time since saw him? Wow,,,,,,,,,,still exciting

And how nice for the breeder to respond,,,,,,,,,bet he is wondering,too

  • Edited October 27, 2018 12:16 am  by  sandins
 
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