Hackney Pony

Hackney Horse

Hackney Horse Breed History The Hackney Horse is an equine breed that has two branches: the pony and the horse. It originated during the early part of the 1700s in England, and it was produced by crossing Thoroughbred horses with Arabian horses. Horses were then crossed with the Norfolk Trotter, which was another equine breed that was commonly found in England. The result was the Hackney, which is a light, refined horse that has a dynamic trot, along with plenty of spirit and style. Once the Hackney Horse was crossed with the Welsh Pony, the Hackney Pony was created, and these smaller horses retained a lot of the characteristics of the Hackney as well. Hackney horses enjoy being around handlers and being petted. By the late 1800s, Hackney horses were being imported to the US from England. It was during that time that the goal was to breed a particular pony type by crossing the Hackney Horse with ponies that had good motion and conformation. As a result, 95% of all of the registered Hackneys that are in the United States today are ponies. The English Hackney Horse Society was set up in 1883 in order to develop the integrity of the breed, as well as preserve Hackney Horse lines. The society held its first annual show in London in 1885, and the American Hackney Horse Society was created in 1891. The production of the automobile eventually eliminated any demand for carriage horses that were needed for transportation, so the Hackney Horse is mostly used in the show ring today. Breed Traits

Australian Pony

Australian Pony Breed History The Australian Pony has a long history that dates back to the 18th century. Prior to European travelers and settlers migrating to Australia, it was a continent that did not have any native horses. Therefore, many of the horses that are living in Australia today are the result of people importing equine breeds from all over the world. Nine horses were part of the First Fleet from South Africa in 1788, and they arrived in Australia that year. Timor Ponies, which were from Indonesia, also arrived in Australia in 1803. In addition to those original horses, other equine breeds have played a large role in influencing the development of the Australian Pony. Those include the Welsh Mountain Pony, the Exmoor Pony, the Connemara Pony, the Hackney Pony, the Shetland Pony, the Highland Pony, and the Hungarian Pony. The Australian Pony was influenced by a variety of equine breeds. Overall, the Australian Pony breed has been influenced by many horses that were imported to Australia throughout the years. For example, two Exmoor stallions, in particular, are considered as having been pivotal in the development of the Australian Pony. They were called Sir Thomas and Dennington Court, and they were sent to Australia in the middle of the 19th century. Also, Bonnie Charlie, who was a Hungarian stallion, was brought to Australia in the second half of the 19th century, and a Welsh Mountain Pony known as Dyoll Greylight also arrived there in 1911, while a Welsh Cob with Hackney bloodlines, known as Little Jim, was imported in 1909. A new and distinct, handsome pony breed was finally created in 1920, and the Australian Pony Stud Book Society, also known as APSB, was created in 1931. It is the oldest and largest stud book society for ponies registered in Australia. In the 1940s, breeders began crossing Arabian stallions with mares from the APSB. Breed Traits

Miniature Horse

Miniature Horse Breed History The Miniature Horse was developed in Europe in the 17th century. This was a period of time when unusual and odd animals became talking points, particularly amongst the nobility. Miniature horses that were not as refined were referred to as “pit ponies,” and they were put to work inside mines, where they also lived. And, with the arrival of the 1930s came the arrival of Miniature horses in America, where they also worked in coal mines. The foundation breed of the Miniature Horse is the Shetland Pony, however other equine breeds were later included as the years passed. These included the Hackney pony, which was added in order to further refine the Miniature breed and its movement, as well as other horse breeds featuring pinto marking in order to alter the Miniature’s colors. Miniature Horses were also called “pit ponies,” and they were put to work inside mines. Ultimately, it was the selective breeding that created today’s Miniature Horse. These horses are smaller versions of their full size counterparts. Draft Horses, Arabians, Paints, and Quarter Horses, for example, can all be found in a miniature form. In 1978, the American Miniature Horse Association was created to keep track of the majority of Miniature horses in the world. Breed Traits

New Forest Pony

New Forest Pony Breed History The New Forest Pony is named after the New Forest, which is located in Hampshire in southern England, as that is the location where these ponies originated from. But this pony is actually one of nine native breeds from the U.K. And it is believed that ponies have been grazing in the New Forest area for thousands of years. Experts also think that New Forest Ponies, in particular, have been living there since 1016, but it is difficult to trace the exact origins of this pony breed. Over time, New Forest Ponies mixed with quite a few other equine breeds, either naturally or as a result of human intervention. And it is believed that, from around the 1800s onward, several equine breeds were used to help improve the New Forest Pony bloodline. The breeds that mixed with the New Forest Pony included the Thoroughbred and the Arabian, as well as the Welsh Pony, the Dartmoor Pony, and the Exmoor Pony. Others included the Hackney Horse, the Fell Pony, the Dales Pony, and the Highland Pony. As a result, the New Forest Pony has genes that are more diverse than other British equine breeds. However, the breed was also influenced by the environment that it lived in, so these animals have become rather hardy and tough. The New Forest Pony has a friendly and docile temperament. Today, the New Forest Pony is a popular breed around the world, as these horses have been exported to countries including Australia, the United States, France, Sweden, and Canada, as a few examples, since the 1950s. These ponies can be used as driving horses and as leisure horses, and they also do well in areas like jumping and dressage, thanks to their physique and personality. Breed Traits

Connemara Pony

Connemara Pony Breed History Ireland’s only native equine breed, it is believed that the Connemara Pony has a rich history that dates all the way back to the ancient Celts. As proficient horsemen, the Celts developed the Connemara Pony from the Scandinavian ponies that Vikings brought to Ireland. This breed is named after the region in the western part of Ireland that is characterized by barren, rocky terrain. The land is mountainous and pounded by the storms and tides of the Atlantic Ocean. It is believed that the ancestors of today’s Connemara Pony were ponies that were similar in appearance to the Shetland Pony and Norwegian Fjord. The Connemara Pony is Ireland’s only native breed. It is also believed that Spanish horses were used to develop the Connemara Pony in the 16th century after Spanish Armada ships ran aground and sank in 1588. The Andalusian horses that were aboard the ship swam to the shore and ended up breeding with the native, wild ponies. In order to make the Connemara Pony even stronger, and to give the ponies much more stamina, Arabians were bred with the ponies in the 1700s. The ponies were also bred with Thoroughbreds and Hackneys. Because the pony bloodlines were diluted as a result of too much crossbreeding, however, the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society was established in 1923. Its purpose was to take steps towards the improvement and preservation of the Connemara Pony breed. In 1926, the Connemara Pony stud book was created, and the Connemara became an official equine breed. Today, this pony breed is growing in popularity all over the world, and it is bred globally as well. Breed Traits

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Things to Consider Before Adopting an Adult Cat

While kittens are undeniably adorable, thousands of adult cats are waiting for their forever home in animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country. Adopting an adult cat offers many unique benefits and rewards – from their calmer demeanor to their already-established personalities.Before deciding on your next feline friend, I recommend taking a moment to reconsider whether an adult cat could be the right fit for your home and lifestyle. Here are a few key considerations to help you find the right cat for your family. At What Age is a Cat Considered Adult? Before discussing the benefits of adopting an adult cat, let's start at the beginning. At what age is a cat considered an adult, anyway? Like with dogs, this will depend on your cat’s breed and size. Larger breed cats like Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats will take longer to reach maturity than most others. For most cat breeds, you can start referring to them as an adult around the time of their first birthday. For those larger kitties, it can take up to 2 years. If your cat is on the borderline or you’re unsure, consider asking your veterinarian during your next appointment. Understanding your cat’s life stages and growth rate will help you make many important decisions, like ensuring their diet includes everything they need in each chapter of their lives. Do Older Cats Have a Harder Time Getting Adopted? Many factors can make it more challenging for a cat to be adopted, including their color, personality, comfort with other pets, and, unfortunately, their age. When a young kitten comes into a shelter or rescue organization, they are often adopted within the first couple of months. The same can’t be said for most adult cats. There is no exact figure, but experts in the rescue space estimate that the time needed for an adult cat (aged 2-3) to be adopted is double that of their younger counterparts. That timeline continues to climb, reaching nearly 10 times as long for cats aged 9-10. 7 Reasons to Adopt an Adult Cat When considering adding a new companion to the family, whether it’s a hamster or a new puppy, you should start by doing your research. This includes assessing whether the animal of choice is a good fit for your family and lifestyle and deciding on other key factors like the right age and breed. Here are 7 reasons you may want to consider an adult cat instead of a kitten: They Are Generally Calmer There is no denying that kittens are adorable, but they are also bouncy and full of kitten energy. These active little furballs are adorable at first. However, in time, they can begin to feel like “too much” for some cat lovers. An adult cat could be a better option if you want a slightly calmer, more mature companion. That being said, there is an exception to every rule. Most adult cats are calmer and more relaxed, but many high-energy adult cats are also out there. If this is an important consideration when searching for your “right fit,” be sure to ask the shelter or rescue volunteers about the energy levels and personality of any cat you are considering. They will either have first-hand experience with the cat or will be able to connect you with someone who can answer your questions (like a foster parent). Less Supervision is Required If you have ever had to kitten-proof your home, you know how much trouble that cute little kitty can get into. They can get into everything and anything, including chewing electrical cords, scratching your furniture, and eating anything they can get their furry little paws on. Bringing a kitten home means doing a lot more preparation upfront as well as committing to the ongoing supervision they will require. Cat lovers who have a busier lifestyle or a demanding work schedule may not be able to give a kitten the time and attention they need to keep them safe and happy. Unless you work in a pet-friendly work environment where you can bring your kitten along for the day (and have done the work to kitten-proof that space, too) or have someone at home when you’re not, your lifestyle may be better suited to an older cat who can relax at home comfortably throughout the work day. Most Are Already Housetrained We often talk about the importance of potty training for puppies, but what about kittens? Not every cat is going to take to a litter box right away. Typically speaking, kittens are taught to use the litter box by their mothers early in life. However, your new kitten may not have learned this important life lesson for several reasons. It’s possible that they left their mother too early or they needed a little extra teaching to learn the basics. If a kitten hasn’t naturally learned to use the litterbox, you’ll need to train them to do their business in the right place. However, by the time they reach adulthood, someone has likely acknowledged they didn’t learn this skill from their mother and addressed it already. Their Personality is Known Anyone who says cats don’t have personalities has never shared their heart and home with a cat! I firmly believe that. We have two cats, Pippen and Jinx, with very different personalities and temperaments. While Pippen is sweet and loving, Jinx is a stereotypical tortoiseshell – sassy and spirited. You may not be feeling picky about the personality of your newest family member. However, some cat lovers are looking for a specific personality to match their lifestyle and vision of life with the new kitty. For example, if you hope to spend time snuggled up watching TV with your feline friend, an independent cat who isn’t interested in cuddles won’t be the ideal match. When kittens are young, they still haven’t “found themselves” yet. This means you are taking a gamble on their personality. Adult cats, however, are established in their personalities. What you see is what you get.

Do Dogs Sweat?

As the hot summer months roll in with a bang, you might find yourself drenched in sweat. With the climate going haywire, it is a common thing all across the world. While trying to cool down, you might be wondering if your pet is doing the same– do dogs sweat like humans do? To answer this question, it is important to understand how dogs regulate their body temperature and to dive deep into the intriguing aspects of canine physiology. Do Dogs Sweat?Humans have a well-developed system of sweat glands that are distributed across the skin’s surface. These glands are known as eccrine glands and they play a crucial role in thermoregulation by secreting sweat, which cools down the body as it evaporates. Dogs, however, have a totally different “mechanism” for managing heat.Of course, they also have sweat glands, but these are primarily located in their paw pads. They are called merocrine glands and are similar to human eccrine glands but are less numerous and less effective at cooling the body. While doggos can produce a small amount of sweat through their paw pads, it is still not enough to significantly impact their overall body temperature.So how do they cool themselves? Well, the primary way dogs regulate their body temperature is through panting. When a dog pants, it rapidly breathes in through the nose and out through the mouth, allowing moisture to evaporate from the tongue, mouth, and upper respiratory tract. This process effectively dissipates heat and cools the dog down. Panting also increases the airflow over the moist surfaces, enhancing evaporation and heat loss. 

Young or Old Pets? Let's Agree Our Floors Sure Can Take a Beating

Photo Credit: Nadya So/Shutterstock.comOne of my favorite investments in my home was the removal of laminate floors and the installation of hardwood throughout. It was pricey, but worth it.Solid oak versus engineered allows for multiple refinishes over time and was durable enough to withstand high traffic – specifically the clickety-clack of dogs as they run laps through the house. And yes, it has some dings and marks but I consider those to be the “patina” of a life well-lived with pets.The DilemmaThen came a feline that was supposed to stay a couple of months but ultimately became a permanent member of the fur crew. My Ginger boy is highly diligent about using his litter box so I assumed any set-up that worked for him would naturally appeal to this new addition. Not so much. Despite adding a second litter box, she seemed to prefer my hardwood floors and that meant every morning began with me cleaning up smelly puddles. Not the right start to the day.A trip to the vet and she’s been ruled fit and healthy. No UTIs to explain her need to piddle so chronically and far away from the litter box. Oh, and did I mention she avoids pee pads like the plague? I’ve used the extra absorbent BV training pads for my dogs when they suffered from tummy troubles and I absolutely swore by them. But apparently, they hold no appeal to cats.So, modifying her behavior to save my floors was becoming urgent and that’s why I turned to some of the more readily available remedies on Amazon.com.Taking A Multi-Pronged Approach

Teeth Grinding in Cats: Why It Happens

You already know that people sometimes grind their teeth, but did you know that bruxism can occur in cats, too? This can be caused by pain in the mouth or body, so it is important to have your kitty examined by a veterinarian if you notice the symptoms of bruxism.What is bruxism in cats, what causes it, and what can be done about it? Keep reading to learn a bit about feline bruxism so you’ll know how to recognize it.

Curious Doggo Spotted on Top of the Great Egyptian Pyramid

Dogs really do get in the most awkward of places. Curious and mischievous, they never fail to surprise us with their antics. But one doggo from Egypt broke all records. A team of U.S. paragliders, led by Marshall Mosher, flew one morning over the famous Great Pyramids at Giza, enjoying the stunning views below them. However, they did not expect to spot a stray doggo on the pyramid's very top, some 138.5 meters (454.4 ft) high."We noticed something running back and forth on top of the pyramid," Mosher said in an interview with CNN Travel. "One person thought it was a mountain lion."Surprised at the unexpected discovery, the floating paragliders zoomed in on the doggo, trying to preserve the moment. Much to their surprise, the dog was simply chasing the birds that stood atop the Pyramid of Khafre, seemingly unaware of the great height he was at. "Maybe he was stuck up there," Mosher thought at the moment, recalling his worry. But he at once realized the situation. "If he got himself up, he can get himself down unless he found some secret portal that helped him teleport to the top of the pyramids," he said jokingly. The very next day, the paragliding team once more flew over the area, hoping to learn of the dog’s situation. They did not spot him this time. However, a fellow adventurer filmed the doggo earlier, seeing him safely descending the steps of the great pyramid. Dogs near the pyramids are a common sight. There are many strays in Giza, and they often roam near the pyramid complex. However, they don’t always climb all the way to the top. Mosher said that the number of strays was worrying, and that he is actively looking for animal shelters in Cairo that could accommodate all these dogs. Mosher also shared the video of the dog on social media, and the sight quickly became viral. Almost overnight, his Instagram posts gained millions of views. Needless to say, he was surprised with all the attention."I thought the opportunity to fly over the pyramids was decently interesting news, but no one cares about that," he said jokingly, noting that the sight of the doggo was far more unique. Some commentators on Instagram went as far as to draw a connection between the dog and the Ancient Egyptian deity, Anubis, who was often depicted as a man with a jackal’s head. Was it a simple coincidence, the roamings of a curious dog, or something much more mysterious? You be the judge.

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Elephants Might Use Unique Names For Each Other, Just Like Us Humans

It seems that humans are not the only ones in the animal world to use personal names – according to a revolutionary new study, African elephants also refer to one another through unique sounds. The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, reveals that elephants can hear their own names over long distances, across the African savanna, and that they speak to one another through a series of low rumbles. The scientific team also reveals that elephants can learn to recognize and call to their mates using their “personal” names, instead of just basic sounds.“Here we present evidence that wild African elephants address one another with individually specific calls, probably without relying on imitation of the receiver,” the study reads.In order to achieve these impressive results, the study used machine learning to demonstrate that the receiver of a call could be predicted from the call’s acoustic structure, regardless of how similar the call was to the receiver’s vocalizations.A herd of African elephants was followed in jeeps in the wild, at Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve and Amboseli National Park, in order to closely observe their behavior and how they call out, and who responds."We've had several incidents where we've been with these elephants and the matriarch of the family will give a call, and everyone in the family will answer,” co-author and Colorado State University ecologist George Wittemyer, said to ITV News. "Then several seconds later, she'll give seemingly a very similar call and nobody in the family would answer except one individual."Researchers then played these recordings of the individual names to elephants and learned that the animals responded more enthusiastically by flapping their ears and lifting their trunks, whenever they heard their own names. “Just like humans, elephants use names, but probably don’t use names in the majority of utterances, so we wouldn’t expect 100%,” study author and Cornell University biologist Mickey Pardo added. Scientists say that animals with complex social structures and close-knit families are more likely to use personal names, as it helps them to be reunited if separated. “If you’re looking after a large family, you’ve got to be able to say, ‘Hey, Virginia, get over here!’ ” Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm said.“Elephants are incredibly social, always talking and touching each other - this naming is probably one of the things that underpins their ability to communicate to individuals,” Wittemyer added, “We just cracked open the door a bit to the elephant mind.”

What Are Appeasement Behaviors in Dogs?

There has been much discussion on social media recently about the importance of understanding your dog’s body language and recognizing a problem situation before it happens. For example, acknowledging when a dog is becoming frustrated and upset, leading to a potential bite.But what you may not know is that your dog uses many far more subtle behaviors to communicate that they are feeling anxious or uncomfortable.Understanding these cues is crucial for protecting your dog’s safety and well-being and building a solid bond. After all, we all want our dogs to know we are here to protect them from any dangers they face!Let’s examine these subtle behaviors, known as dog appeasement behaviors, in-depth. We will discuss the signals to watch out for, what your dog is trying to communicate, and the best response in these situations.What Are Dog Appeasement Behaviors?As mentioned, dog appeasement behaviors are subtle actions your dog takes to signal that they are feeling stressed, anxious, or uncomfortable. Many of these behaviors serve two purposes: communicating their feelings to those around them and acting as a self-soothing activity to try to calm themselves.Appeasement behaviors are an attempt to acknowledge a threat that they are encountering and signal that they have no desire for confrontation.Picture yourself out for a walk in your favorite local park with your dog when you come across another dog. If that dog demonstrates a dominant or aggressive posture, they may be non-verbally questioning your dog’s intentions in that space. To avoid conflict, your dog may use appeasement signals to tell this dog that they are just passing through and aren’t trying to start any trouble.From here, the situation can go one of two ways – either both dogs go their separate ways with a clear understanding that no conflict is needed, or (if the problem isn’t addressed) it continues to escalate into something potentially dangerous for all involved.As dog parents, we are responsible for learning what to look out for, understanding our dog’s attempt to communicate with us, and responding quickly to keep our best friends safe.Common Dog Appeasement Signals and BehaviorsThe first step in keeping our dogs safe is to learn how to understand their non-verbal communication.While it would be FAR easier if our dogs could speak with us in clear English (I'm not denying this), they use many different methods to “talk to” us. They rely on body language to tell us what they are thinking and feeling—using their ears, tails, body posture, eye contact, and other physical signals.Here are some of the more common appeasement signals to watch out for:Avoiding Eye ContactOne of the more widely recognized ways of communicating that you are challenging someone is to look them directly in the eyes. Therefore, it makes sense that a dog trying to avoid conflict would avoid eye contact entirely. Your dog may avert their gaze to the ground or appear to be looking around, their eyes moving to everything but the perceived risk.