Play Misty For Me
July 30, 2022 5:15 AM Subscribe
Ten year old goatdog is over the moon right now.
posted by goatdog at 10:01 AM on July 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by goatdog at 10:01 AM on July 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
Was anyone but me bugged that he kept calling the Chincoteague Ponies horses?
They're ponies. poooo-nees
Or call them equines.
Horse people get hung up on the difference.
Both ponies and horses are equine, same 64 chromosomes, but height, the most notable and characteristic trait, isn't the only factor. Smaller than 58 inches (14.2 hands) doesn't always mean a pony. Some pony breeds can be larger--Welsh cobs can be as tall as 15 hands. Ponies are noted for denser bone, short backs and rounded bodies with well-sprung ribs, low withers, small ears, stocky necks, bigger heads and proportionally wider jaws, and the ability to subsist on marginal feed--efficient digestion (easy keepers). They have dense, thick, coarse haircoats and the ability to carry more weight compared to their size. Unless overfed and foundered, or subjected to human breeding that destroys their conformation, they generally have dense, strong hooves that seldom need shoeing. For some reason, humans love to breed 'refined' looking ponies that look like horses, so many breeds refer to the 'old' type pony or 'old fashioned' style.
Thus ends my screed for the day.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:35 PM on July 30, 2022 [21 favorites]
They're ponies. poooo-nees
Or call them equines.
Horse people get hung up on the difference.
Both ponies and horses are equine, same 64 chromosomes, but height, the most notable and characteristic trait, isn't the only factor. Smaller than 58 inches (14.2 hands) doesn't always mean a pony. Some pony breeds can be larger--Welsh cobs can be as tall as 15 hands. Ponies are noted for denser bone, short backs and rounded bodies with well-sprung ribs, low withers, small ears, stocky necks, bigger heads and proportionally wider jaws, and the ability to subsist on marginal feed--efficient digestion (easy keepers). They have dense, thick, coarse haircoats and the ability to carry more weight compared to their size. Unless overfed and foundered, or subjected to human breeding that destroys their conformation, they generally have dense, strong hooves that seldom need shoeing. For some reason, humans love to breed 'refined' looking ponies that look like horses, so many breeds refer to the 'old' type pony or 'old fashioned' style.
Thus ends my screed for the day.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:35 PM on July 30, 2022 [21 favorites]
They're all the same in the lasagne.
posted by groda at 11:09 AM on July 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by groda at 11:09 AM on July 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
I never read "Misty of Chincoteague", but my spouse both did so and has been there.
She says the ponies are everywhere on Assateague and will happily eat your picnic unless you are careful.
posted by kyrademon at 11:44 AM on July 31, 2022
She says the ponies are everywhere on Assateague and will happily eat your picnic unless you are careful.
posted by kyrademon at 11:44 AM on July 31, 2022
Heh, this is the second time in recent weeks where Assateague has been a topic.
I camp there regularly. It's a wonderful spot (off season ) and the ponies are full of personality and well, just being feral ponies.
The visitor center just before you cross the bridge to the island has a nice display of the Spanish ship "La Galga", and an anchor from it, along with the speculation of the ponies Spanish origin.
You should visit. Just don't feed them (one died from eating dog food left out); pet them (they go from eating grass to kicking the hell out of each other in a split second); or, and yes this happens, put your kid on them for a photo shoot.
posted by annieb at 6:09 PM on July 31, 2022
I camp there regularly. It's a wonderful spot (off season ) and the ponies are full of personality and well, just being feral ponies.
The visitor center just before you cross the bridge to the island has a nice display of the Spanish ship "La Galga", and an anchor from it, along with the speculation of the ponies Spanish origin.
You should visit. Just don't feed them (one died from eating dog food left out); pet them (they go from eating grass to kicking the hell out of each other in a split second); or, and yes this happens, put your kid on them for a photo shoot.
posted by annieb at 6:09 PM on July 31, 2022
My story about Assateague: I worked with a guy who went there for vacation, had a horse gnaw on his tent and went to the NPS ranger and demanded they pay for it, and was shocked that the NPS doesn't pay people for items damaged by wild animals. To this day I still think he thought the horses were pets the NPS just let out at sun up and put in the barn at sun set.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 4:43 PM on August 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 4:43 PM on August 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by Torosaurus at 7:49 AM on July 30, 2022 [8 favorites]