>>> So what is the plan for Bart? Gelding and re-homing, or keeping him a >>> breeding stallion for the herd?
I've been tempted to make a public announcement that I will be starting a new breed called "Island Ponies" that will be a cross between Icelandic's and Corolla Bankers. It's not true, but I think it would be fun to get a few busybody tongues wagging. ;) The honest answer is that I don't know. I like having a project horse, and I wanted to try one a little more "raw" than the past few Icelandic's I've had. I inquired about the Corolla Wild Horses Fund, when I heard they were adopting a few of the herd out. I know how badly that herd is hurting with the encroaching development, and it breaks my heart. This herd is sentimental to me. Being a NC native, I've heard about the horses all my life, and was lucky enough to see a few of them a few times before they were herded up past the end of the public road. Then of course, I got to see all the ones on the trip north of the road six weeks ago. I don't know exactly what I was thinking when I inquired - maybe taking in a filly or colt to play with Princess and Hroi at weaning? I didn't really have a plan, but whatever plan I didn't have, I sure did NOT plan to get another stallion...ever. But, about a week after I inquired, I got a call asking if I had a facility to take an injured stallion they were taking off the beach. Gulp. No. No way. I waited a week or so, and no one else volunteered. Then a couple of weeks later, out of the blue, Cary got a break in his work schedule - he thought vacation was out of the question until fall, but a slack week opened up for him. He asked if I wanted to go back to the Outer Banks - it had been five years since we last went, but we used to go every year. I called, and amazingly our favorite beach house, one that usually stays booked all year, was available that week. It was just eerie how it happened, all falling into place. Then we went, and got to spend time with Bart and Vinnie every day, so here they are. No plan...Bart just needed a place to crash... :) The Wild Horse Fund (adoption league) wants to preserve Bart as a breeding stallion. He's very "typey" and correct (in the Colonial Spanish sense of the word) and is an unusually docile, laid-back stallion. Their first concern was that he get a good home, and their second concern is that his DNA be preserved. I have adopted them both, so I own them, with the adoption being official at the end of a year. If Bart proves to be too much to handle as a stallion, I can geld him at any time, or they will try again to find someone to take him as a stallion. Time will tell. And no, I have no plans of cross-breeding him to Icelandic's. Karen Thomas, NC
