Changes over a decade

Here are two shots of the mare Roua, owned by me from birth to eight, and by Countess Kalnoky from eight to her current seventeen. The mare is still going strong. It's interesting to see how her colouring has changed. It's also lovely to see a happy, mature and productive horse who is clearly well loved.

This is how Roua looked in spring 2007, just starting work after a long winter, and clearly needing to lose a bit of seasonal weight. Back then she was a red roan, with a silvery base, and her name means 'dew'. Roua even had a hint of dorsal and shoulder stripes, inherited from her Huzul dame, a dun mare with markings reminiscent of primitive horses.

Here she is ten years later, in August this year. She is still using most of the tack that I sold her with, not surprisingly as I equipped my horses with good quality stuff. Roua is still a kind, sensible, but lively mare, and just as popular with riders as she was when I owned her. She is shod on front feet only, despite being in fairly hard work, a sign of the robustness of the Huzul cross-breeds.

Comments

[lytha]

What an interesting horse. I didn't know roans of that type greyed out. I like how she has the same sleepy+alert expression in both photos. I would like to wash her tail: )

[Shirley Nicholas]

Interesting colour change- her true colour is probably grey over a red roan base.

[WHP]

I like that characterisation, sleepy but alert, just like the mare I ride now. Laid back, but ready for action. It's fascinating how she has become a flea-bitten grey. And it's such a joy to see a horse that I nurtured still working a decade later.

[Joanne Filkins]

Wonderful that you got to see her again! I saw your message that you had started your blog again but have been very busy and am only now finding time to start catching up. I'm enjoying your interesting posts and great photos as always. For some reason the email links no longer work but I found you on the web.