Chapter Three: Horses

My all time, favorite animal would have to be horses. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved horses. Just about every girl has wanted a pony when they were little. Most of those girls tend to grow out of that stage. I, however, never did. The older I got the more I wanted a horse. Every birthday, Christmas, and any other time I got the chance, I asked for a horse. That dream has yet to come true, but I’m not giving up!

I never cared much for ponies. I always went for the big draft horses. My first love was the Clydesdales. They were big and beautiful. I loved their flowing manes and the loads of hair on their hooves. They are giant beasts standing at 16 to 19 hands tall. For those who don’t know a hand is about 4 to 5 inches. That would make them 5 to 6 feet tall. And they weigh as much a Volkswagen Beetle. I would go to fairs and see them. Getting as close as I could yet making sure to steer clear of their big hooves. I have never ridden one, and being afraid of heights, I’m not sure how I would do!

My passion has shifted to a different breed that I found out about not too long ago. It is called Gypsy Vanner. The name derived from the time when these horses would pull Gypsy caravans. They are native to the UK although they have, in past years, been imported to North America. They are generally black and white although they can be solid colors and some are even known to have palomino coloring, or to be brown and white. They have very long manes and long feathering around their hooves. The Gypsy isn’t as tall as the Clydesdale standing at 4 to 5 feet tall. But they are still giant in comparison to other breeds.

            Horses have always seemed to be symbol of freedom to me. They always looked to be big, majestic, and in control. Riding on a horse allows me to taste that freedom, even if it is for a short period of time. I don’t own a horse, and I rarely get the chance to ride. But my dream of owning one someday has never left. I have never seen a Gypsy Vanner in real life, but it is something I wish to do. Owning one however would indeed be a dream, as they are very expensive starting at close to $30,000. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be rich and live on a farm with my very own Gypsy Vanner.