It's been a frustrating week with little riding (work and my WWI projects) so here's some relief. Featured in this month's issue of Cowboys and Indians Magazine, William Shatner!
For those who may not know, besides being an actor (especially with Star Trek), Shatner also is into the equestrian scene and he raises American Saddlebreds and Quarterhorses at a farm in Kentucky. Here's more. Enjoy!
For those who may not know, besides being an actor (especially with Star Trek), Shatner also is into the equestrian scene and he raises American Saddlebreds and Quarterhorses at a farm in Kentucky. Here's more. Enjoy!
2 comments:
i thought i remembered seeing him riding in one of the star trek movies... see, you have to like a guy who likes horses! ;-)
interesting blog, btw! i was an anthropology/archaeology student, and my main area of interest is the eurasian steppe nomads (esp. early iron age.) they were famous (or infamous) for their particular brand of mounted warfare (and may have been the origin of the centaur myths,) so maybe one of these days i'll have to search your blog and pick your brain about the US horse soldiers and see how they compare!
Thanks!
As a background note, whiel I've always had an interest in history (and especially military history), I wandered into horses quite by accident. I was originally an Military Policeman in the Army back in the early 80s and after getting clocked one-too-many times in the head breaking up bar fights, the Army decided to train me as an "Animal Care Specialist"- basically a Veterinary Technician.
We had instruction in large animals and my first introduction to horses was when I spend two months with the Caisson Platoon at Ft. Myer, Virginia. My riding instruction, such as it was, consisted of riding with a 1928 McClellan saddle and trying to learn the various moves (it was pretty much like "let's see if the Cityboy can hold on...hee..hee!).
Fast forward some 25 years later...I originally wanted to try something different for my living history activities and thought "I'll be a cavalryman!' Right.
Let's just say, I had to start from ground zero and it was a humbling process- ate dirt more times than not and did all sorts of stupid things with my horse (I'm surprised that Max even lets me get on him) to include riding him into quicksand, riding with a poor-fitting saddle and tearing up his back, and stuffing him into a too-small trailer and having him blow up (got away with only a $175 vet bill!).
Fortunately, I landed with some good people and I've managed to work past most of this stuff. I like to do various cavalry manuevers/drill, trail riding, and dressage (which is really all about getting you and the horse from point A to point B in order to fight).
Sorry to yack on! I'll be happy to help out with any questions.
P.S. If you can't do transitions and side-passes, cavalry activities are going to be a painful experience for both you and the horse (and horses don't like having their faces torn off by heavy hands)!
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