Hi Horse Pals ~
Our next highlighted horse is the Barb. I thought it would be fun to highlight this ancient breed which some say may trace back to a group of wild horses that survived the Ice Age making it the oldest horse breed!
BARB
Fact #1: The Barb comes from the coastal regions of North Africa, countries such as Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and was formerly known as the Barbary Coast. Like the Arabian, the Barb has had a tremendous effect on many horse breeds we see today.
Fact #2: The Barb is a desert horse and known to possess swiftness, incredible endurance, and surefootednes, enabling him to gallop headlong up and down steep ravines that would give most other breeds pause. It is prized for its speed over short distances, and its loyalty and docile attitude.
Fact #3: Throughout the world, Barbs are recognized as critically endangered. Through my research, I found the beautiful Abaco Barbs (see photo below) that live on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas. There are only 8 of these beauties left in the world and there is an organization called arkwild.org whose goal is to preserve this breed and make the world aware of its existence.
Fact #4: The Barb is between 14.2 and 15.2 hands and predominantly gray, but can be bay, brown, black or chestnut.
Fact #5: One of the most famous Barb Horses, Roan Barbary belonged to the English King Richard II at the end of the 14th century.
I hope you all enjoyed learning more about the Barb. I thought it would be fun for you all to choose the next highlighted breed, so instead of giving you a clue, you can send in your nomination for the next breed and I'll choose one. Simply leave the breed of your choice in the comments of this post. I look forward to your suggestions!!
Happy Trails,
@raya
Hey Elizabeth ~
So, how was your birthday party?! We can't wait to hear all about it! Write us soon!!
Your Horse Pals,
@raya and Avery
Posted by: Araya and Avery | March 18, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Hi Elizabeth ~
How are you? Since you did a report on the Haflinger you could add some facts to the post. That would be great! The Haflinges are so beautiful! I can't wait to see the photos! Those party favors sound amazing! Avery and I would love to get those! And we would love to celebrate with you! How old are you turning? I went to look at Flash and he is beautiful! I think you could name him either Zeus or Apollo. What do you think?
Your horse Pal,
@raya
P.S. Have fun at your party!
P.S.S I think Snickers will love the pony massager! He He
Posted by: Araya | March 15, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Araya~
Thank you sooo much for doing the Halflinger! I had done my school project on it and the breed seems really interesting. My dad is going to be at the party so there will be lots of pictures. There are only 7 other girls coming(not including me, including my sisters) so we made nice party favors. We have some horsey stickers, a tack sponge shaped like a horse, a boot-shaped hoof pick, some oatmeal chocolate cookies that I baked myself,(yum,yum!) A bottle full of horse treats, and a pony massager.(literally, it is for the pony!)
Talk to you soon,
Elizabeth
P.S.
Yesterday I got a new Breyer horse for doing lots of chores, and his name is Flash. I want to rename him, though. Look him up at www.breyerhorses.com and tell me what to name him: Zeus, Apollo, Saturn, or Hercules.
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 15, 2009 at 05:08 AM
Hi Elizabeth ~
We can't wait to hear all about your birthday party! Take lots of photos and we'll do a special post with all of the details!! Have a great time!
And check out our newly highlighted horse!
Lots of love,
Your Horse Pal,
@raya
P.S. Avery says hi to your sisters and looks forward to hearing from them. She says, "Have a fun party!"
Posted by: Araya | March 14, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Araya~
Guess what??!!! I am having my birhtday party tommorow!(sunday) We had decided to wait until March for some warmer weather. I cannot wait! We are probably going to use some of the games you suggested on the blog for my party. Happy Trails!
Elizabeth (to Araya)
and Snickers (to Dandy)
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 14, 2009 at 07:01 AM
What a fun way to introduce the Barb! Thank you.
Posted by: Dina | March 09, 2009 at 01:13 PM
I love anything you blog about Araya, I hadn't even heard of the Barb, although I had an Auntie Barb once, but I think it was short for Barbra.
It's my birthday again his year, in December so I am looking forward to that too. I need to persuade my mom to have it at the house. Happy trails!
Posted by: Steven the Magnificent | March 07, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Beautiful horses - I also had never heard of the Barb. How about highlighting the Appaloosa.
Posted by: Beth | March 07, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Until now I didn't know about Barb Horses. That's pretty cool. Mom's best friend wants to take us to The Bahamas. If we go to The Bahamas I'll ask Mom if we can stop by Abaco Island to see some Barb Horses and take some pictures. Have a good weekend girl.
Posted by: Cayce | March 07, 2009 at 07:21 PM
Such beautiful horses! Thanks for sharing what you have learned.
Posted by: Christine Jensen | March 06, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Araya~
Can you highlight the Halflinger? I am sure Snickers would love that!
happy trails
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 03, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Hi Lizzy ~
That would be great! We would love to hear from you all!! And don't forget to tell us which horse breed you'd like to see highlighted next!
Have a great one!
Your Animal Pal,
@raya
Posted by: Araya | March 02, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Hi Araya! I think I should say something about your website on mine-kidsanimalclub.com.
--Lizzy the Great ;D
Posted by: Lizzy | March 01, 2009 at 09:39 AM