This Week in Horses — February 27, 2015

Happy Friday, everyone! It sure has been a big week here on the Internet where I spend most of my time. First, there were some llamas. Then there was a dress.

I have a theory that neither one of these things would have been so captivating to online audiences in June, but most of us are a little stir crazy from having been snowed/iced in this winter.

Anyway, we’re here to talk about horse news, so let’s get to it.

• The snow in New England is still causing endless problems for horse owners (and everyone else.) Check out this horse who got stuck in a snowdrift (and was rescued with no apparent injuries.) Meanwhile, a collapsed roof killed two horses at a barn in Quonset, Massachusetts, while five others were rescued.
• Some inventive young equestrians near London came up with a pretty unique solution for a problem their stable had. Their smallest equine, a pony named Pedro, can’t see out over his door like his full-sized friends. Here’s what they came up with until they can afford to build him his own, pony-sized stall.
• A horse and a zorse—that’s a zebra/horse cross—were rescued from an alleged neglect situation in Oklahoma. A local TV reporter had a lot of fun shooting this story about it.
• A dwarf mini named Rowdy has been nominated for grand marshal in his local county fair’s parade. But the really fascinating part of this story is how much time, money and heartache his owners have spent on the little guy’s medical bills over the years. Direct quote from one of his owners: “So he’s a spendy little feller.”
• The saga of international endurance continues. Due to cheating and abuse scandals in the Middle East, the FEI has removed the remaining two endurance events scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates from its calendar. This announcement comes following threats of boycotts from other national federations.
• Priscilla Presley is being honored as Humane Horsewoman of the Year for her work against soring. Read more about the horses of Graceland here.

That’s it for this week. Have a good weekend—next week will be March and that means spring is surely right around the corner. Right?

Back to The Near Side

Leslie Potter is Sr. Associate Web Editor of horseillustrated.com. Follow her on Twitter: @LeslieInLex.