rOMASHKA
Her name translates as "chamomile" but a horse of her character and disposition would likely be named "Nelly" in the North American cultural context. Born 1997, now 6 years old. Sure-footed with a steady gate, fearless yet conservative. Among her many valuable traits is careful handling of loads, eg. she will not bang your knees into trees. The ultimate trail horse with built-in safety features like the readiness to flatly refuse to go where you shouldn't (eg. a road that ends in a swamp). If you are looking for a relaxed ride, she is the right beast for you provided you can talk/bribe/coerce her to leave the immediate vicinity of her barn.
<== A photo of Romashka for those who prefer realistic images. More photos in Horse riding for Children and Horse riding for physically challenged.
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On your request and at no extra charge she gets a pink ribbon tired to her forelock and declared a pony, to serve as our official children's horse. Although I've never measured her properly, I doubt she is more than 14.2 which, as far as I remember, is the official American top height for a pony. |
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This photo captures well both her typical facial expression and the
esthetics of your
ordinary mid-December day in the Upper Volga hills.
Dec. 14, 2003
See also
Moonie
Lyagushka
Melky
From the esteemed owner of www.celestialhorses.com
Pasha,
Congratulations on the popularity of Dubrovki! I have reviewed Romashka's photos and description and I can say with some certainty (and my tongue in my cheek) that she is the perfect cross between the elegant Thoroughbred (Don? Budenovsky?) and the noble aboriginal local village breed. Thus in my educated opinion, I deem her that most sought-after mount, the "Anglo-Aboriginal."
From the Thoroughbred, she gets the stubbornness. From the local breed, all else. All of her features have wonder of purpose. Her short statue helps her conserve heat in the winter, the prominent withers keep the saddle in place, and the big belly stores food for later.
As to those who might say the word "noble" does not belong in the same description with "local breed," I retort: Ha! Do you think it was the fancy Moscow carriage horses who finally repelled the Central Asian hordes? Do you think it was the blue-blooded show jumpers who carried Bering and his crew across Siberia to Kamchatka? Nyet! It was the noble local horses, with their ability to endure tribulation and dig deep for more. It was the noble local horses who showed no fear, carried their burdens carefully, and smoothly transported their charges with no resentment. These are the horses of history. These are the horses who deserve statues in city squares and paintings by the masters! In noble Romashka flows the blood that traces the history of Russia.
(How's that?! Okay, okay, I got a tad carried away.)
Best,
Gala
P.S. Depending on Romashka's self esteem level, you may or may not want to share the above with her. If she's pretty sure of herself already, it could push her over the top.