I love this article! Thank you for writing and sharing it.
I grow a garden and small orchard in Southern Florida which has it’s own elements of challenge to it and therefore makes relating to this article so easy for me.
Your comment: “Small farmers generally do not compete with each other, but rather compete against the elements, random hardships, setbacks and fate. One key thing that makes them so different from most other folks.” Along with the comment about “...willing to share their knowledge...”
To me this spirit of sharing with each other while together fighting the elements and fate are the bedrock of the hope America represented in the world for hundreds of years. And that spirit still grows wild with those of us who farm.
Quartz's color is exactly like my first horse Peaches. She had a prettier head and prettier all over which isn't saying much. Ha. She was mostly quarter horse, but they had a Buckskin registry back then just starting. She won every western pleasure class because her trot was like riding a rocking horse. I won some horsemanship stuff and was on the Michigan State Junior Judging Team. I also had a 3/4 Arab horse I showed dressage and flat seat English. He was broken to a cart, too. Beautiful horse. I miss them. It's hard hard work caring for horses, so that will keep you young. I would have considered homesteading if I had known much about it when I was young. Instead, I moved around the country and became a literary writer (cancelled now from my press Wayne State University and worked out of my adjunct queue at Northern Michigan University). So homesteading sounds a lot more appealing in hindsight! Maybe I could have still written, kept my horses, and got myself some chickens. I have an English Shepherd dog (collie family, a little bigger than Border Collie). Ah well. I haven't read your article yet. Just Quartz took me back. (If I was depressed, I'd lie full length on her back in her stall while she ate, my head pressed against her neck and I could hear amplified chewing--I visualize that in moments of stress).
Even though I still have horses on my mini farm, I occasionally think back 60 years to when I would go out to the corral and lay on my horse's back with my arm crossed under my head on his rump and my legs dangling from his withers. Then I would hear my dad's voice in the dark saying it's time to go to bed, come on in.
Perhaps adults tend to use life's circumstances out of their control to dampen their otherwise great moments. Youth don't seem to carry that burden, at least many moons ago. I'm not sure about that now with 24/7 smart phones.
And they also lost some parent time too. If a TV program did not involve a dog or horse I was out side with my own or reading books about animals (I track mind). For my three brothers, if no BB or FB was on they were outside playing touch football in the street, softball on our own back yard diamond and outfield (I played too) or playing one on one with the hoop. Lots of boys our age in the neighborhood. Of course they were all in little league and HS sports. The older one did watch a lot of TV at night.
I remember the ex watching plenty of fishing and outdoorsman TV programs when he wasn't off with his buds at some lake or in the woods with a rifle or bow. Programs for everyone.
So glad Virginia is your home. I am proud of our state's heritage, but hoping one day it will return to freedom, family, and faith. Keep sharing! Your voice is needed in these crazy times.
What beauties, and I appreciate your focus on function, along with form. Without the function, the form is not meaningful, and can be negative to the health of the animal. The same is true with dogs, and has been demonstrated by some of the AKC's breed standards - resulting in physical and temperament problems.
No question that for a few, the breeding has become a huge money-making industry. Sometimes that's ok, as in the well-bred working dogs, but most are not. They're sold and bought on appearance or price. I know the most about the German Shepherd Dogs, and the dichotomy between 'show' dogs and the few working dogs is huge. All one has to do is look at the AKC GSD show winners versus working GSDs (there aren't a lot of those in the U.S.} at USCA.
Indeed troublesome and forgery not out of question regardless of fur variety.
In the mid seventies were a small group of avid waterfowl hunters that lasted for almost ten years. The duck populations ebb and flow with that of nesting habitat fluctuations.
We had been extremely fortunate to secure a great friendship with a fellow hunter and co-worker that had the finest ties to Grand National Field champ Golden retrievers.
Man o man how our seasonal success ratio grew with K9 enjoyment. To put it properly we had "GO DOGS"....Not "SHOW DOGS" There is a huge difference. They were plug and play on the lakes ponds rivers and fields. It was amazing to witness the finest K9 DNA codes at work and play as mans best friend. I get tears just thinking about those "Golden Days".
When you field verify ingrained "INSTINCTS" every new season. Life is Grand!
It certainly is grand with fine dogs whose drives correct for the work and whose other temperaments are what they should be - all the time, being good family companions. In our geographic area many excellent field dogs came out of and were trained at the Sorenson Kennels and many were owned, worked and trialed from the Olin family. In my training, the best GSDs were of stable temperaments and I referred to them as 'good soldiers.'
We had dogs around the house growing up as kids. But never hunting dogs. Just cuddle balls of four legged fluff and bark. When we got our first Golden for duck hunting, we got the last one of the litter each time. There were clients that out ranked us for pick of litter. Carl told us the one thing to always remember is these guys need a job. Along with all the hang time you can give. Locking up a Champ dog all day is well....for the birds. We took ours with all the time, everywhere. I wouldn't change one thing even if i could. More wag, less bark.
Such magnificent horses, I miss the days when we had mares and foals, I loved watching them and bringing up happy, settled horses. Grateful you have your farm to keep you settled as well. Blessings on you.
Your posts remind me that staying grounded to our existence and invested in Reality are two of the transcendent benefits of Homesteading. Based on my own experience of dairy farming as a youth, and then homestead farming as an adult, time with the animals, livestock included, is both good for the soul and the mind. I and many others contemplate how the transformation of our American culture from an agrarian to a service economy has decayed the fabric of our society, and the understanding of Purpose and Reality that underlies that fabric.
Some of the best thinking I have ever done has taken place while mucking a stall, lugging food and water, or the dreaded picking rocks from the field that seemed to have grown over the winter!
Crazy, Yes, increasingly separating ourselves from Nature - as tho we are not a part of all Nature. Dr. Malone lives and demonstrates that deep belonging.
Nov 15, 2023·edited Nov 15, 2023Liked by Robert W Malone MD, MS
This is why I love this part of your reveal. Anyone who knows horses can see the love and respect between you and the horses. Humane and educated knowledge of training and general care is displayed through the horse's behavior. Anyone who deems you anything other than this is a fool, in my opinion. And there are plenty of those, now aren't there... (I remember the naming and birthing pics of some) I just looked at the pics of Quartz and got tears from the beauty!
Handsome friends! Your horses are exceptional and surely a joy to share your world with. Great pix and its good to see their owner looking trim. From my 36 yrs with my mare, they surely make our lives more satisfying. Thanks so very much for sharing.
Hoping your securing replacement passports went well yesterday.
With great appreciation, wishing you all happiness! ♡♡♡
Quartz is magnificent . Topazio is beautiful as well. They are quite a pair. Love the picture of you in your Portuguese Calvary uniform. Jade is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Your horseraising stories are helping me to have more respect for this animal. As a kid on the farm in the 40’s and 50’s, the only breed I was familiar with were a pair of Belgians. Great working horses. Did some plowing with them and used them for a couple years for mowing, windrowing and putting up hay and spreading manure. Machinery replaced them. In Colorado I preferred a mule for riding mountain trails. Bob and Nellie were characters, each with its own personality. Bob would get a little lazy working and start to slack only to have Nellie turn and give him a good nip on the neck. He straightened out. Keep your stories coming.
They are so beautiful, grand, classy, and they look like they could be a little sassy!
from time to time, absolutely.
I love this article! Thank you for writing and sharing it.
I grow a garden and small orchard in Southern Florida which has it’s own elements of challenge to it and therefore makes relating to this article so easy for me.
Your comment: “Small farmers generally do not compete with each other, but rather compete against the elements, random hardships, setbacks and fate. One key thing that makes them so different from most other folks.” Along with the comment about “...willing to share their knowledge...”
To me this spirit of sharing with each other while together fighting the elements and fate are the bedrock of the hope America represented in the world for hundreds of years. And that spirit still grows wild with those of us who farm.
Quartz's color is exactly like my first horse Peaches. She had a prettier head and prettier all over which isn't saying much. Ha. She was mostly quarter horse, but they had a Buckskin registry back then just starting. She won every western pleasure class because her trot was like riding a rocking horse. I won some horsemanship stuff and was on the Michigan State Junior Judging Team. I also had a 3/4 Arab horse I showed dressage and flat seat English. He was broken to a cart, too. Beautiful horse. I miss them. It's hard hard work caring for horses, so that will keep you young. I would have considered homesteading if I had known much about it when I was young. Instead, I moved around the country and became a literary writer (cancelled now from my press Wayne State University and worked out of my adjunct queue at Northern Michigan University). So homesteading sounds a lot more appealing in hindsight! Maybe I could have still written, kept my horses, and got myself some chickens. I have an English Shepherd dog (collie family, a little bigger than Border Collie). Ah well. I haven't read your article yet. Just Quartz took me back. (If I was depressed, I'd lie full length on her back in her stall while she ate, my head pressed against her neck and I could hear amplified chewing--I visualize that in moments of stress).
Even though I still have horses on my mini farm, I occasionally think back 60 years to when I would go out to the corral and lay on my horse's back with my arm crossed under my head on his rump and my legs dangling from his withers. Then I would hear my dad's voice in the dark saying it's time to go to bed, come on in.
If we only could have memories that sweet all the time, sigh
Perhaps adults tend to use life's circumstances out of their control to dampen their otherwise great moments. Youth don't seem to carry that burden, at least many moons ago. I'm not sure about that now with 24/7 smart phones.
I think kids lost a lot of memorable moments when t.v. brought them inside.
And they also lost some parent time too. If a TV program did not involve a dog or horse I was out side with my own or reading books about animals (I track mind). For my three brothers, if no BB or FB was on they were outside playing touch football in the street, softball on our own back yard diamond and outfield (I played too) or playing one on one with the hoop. Lots of boys our age in the neighborhood. Of course they were all in little league and HS sports. The older one did watch a lot of TV at night.
As in "don't touch that dial" !
Stay tuned for more of your favorite programs?
The Art of Self Programming. Tell-lie-vision.
We've been screwed! Hahahaha....outdoorsman no longer?
I remember the ex watching plenty of fishing and outdoorsman TV programs when he wasn't off with his buds at some lake or in the woods with a rifle or bow. Programs for everyone.
Aw. Sounds just like my life--it's hard to believe what life was like then compared to now. Very neat. You did it backwards from me! Ha.
Thank you for prompting my memory of some of the best years of my life. Yes, who would have thought at the time what was headed our way.
Loved this! I am a life long horse fan. Your Lusitanos are truly stunningly beautiful and amazing horses.
Love your commentaries of life on the farm.
So glad Virginia is your home. I am proud of our state's heritage, but hoping one day it will return to freedom, family, and faith. Keep sharing! Your voice is needed in these crazy times.
What beauties, and I appreciate your focus on function, along with form. Without the function, the form is not meaningful, and can be negative to the health of the animal. The same is true with dogs, and has been demonstrated by some of the AKC's breed standards - resulting in physical and temperament problems.
Totally agree- and 150% agreement about the AKC.
Global Pet popularity is a multi billion dollar business by now. Size matters not!
The things we do for LOVE are truly remarkable.
Plus a hefty return of mammal wildlife adaptations in large cities has grown.
Animal populations will thrive long after humanities "own nothing and be happy life",
becomes our advertised dreaded reality in the minds of wealthy mentally sickened.
No question that for a few, the breeding has become a huge money-making industry. Sometimes that's ok, as in the well-bred working dogs, but most are not. They're sold and bought on appearance or price. I know the most about the German Shepherd Dogs, and the dichotomy between 'show' dogs and the few working dogs is huge. All one has to do is look at the AKC GSD show winners versus working GSDs (there aren't a lot of those in the U.S.} at USCA.
Indeed troublesome and forgery not out of question regardless of fur variety.
In the mid seventies were a small group of avid waterfowl hunters that lasted for almost ten years. The duck populations ebb and flow with that of nesting habitat fluctuations.
We had been extremely fortunate to secure a great friendship with a fellow hunter and co-worker that had the finest ties to Grand National Field champ Golden retrievers.
Man o man how our seasonal success ratio grew with K9 enjoyment. To put it properly we had "GO DOGS"....Not "SHOW DOGS" There is a huge difference. They were plug and play on the lakes ponds rivers and fields. It was amazing to witness the finest K9 DNA codes at work and play as mans best friend. I get tears just thinking about those "Golden Days".
When you field verify ingrained "INSTINCTS" every new season. Life is Grand!
It certainly is grand with fine dogs whose drives correct for the work and whose other temperaments are what they should be - all the time, being good family companions. In our geographic area many excellent field dogs came out of and were trained at the Sorenson Kennels and many were owned, worked and trialed from the Olin family. In my training, the best GSDs were of stable temperaments and I referred to them as 'good soldiers.'
We had dogs around the house growing up as kids. But never hunting dogs. Just cuddle balls of four legged fluff and bark. When we got our first Golden for duck hunting, we got the last one of the litter each time. There were clients that out ranked us for pick of litter. Carl told us the one thing to always remember is these guys need a job. Along with all the hang time you can give. Locking up a Champ dog all day is well....for the birds. We took ours with all the time, everywhere. I wouldn't change one thing even if i could. More wag, less bark.
The wildly popular flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds come immediately to mind.
That is a shame.
Such magnificent horses, I miss the days when we had mares and foals, I loved watching them and bringing up happy, settled horses. Grateful you have your farm to keep you settled as well. Blessings on you.
Beautiful horses great job ..
These homesteading posts are good for my soul. I appreciate you taking the time to share your interesting life with us.
Sigh. Buckskin...a serious, serous weakness of mine...
Your posts remind me that staying grounded to our existence and invested in Reality are two of the transcendent benefits of Homesteading. Based on my own experience of dairy farming as a youth, and then homestead farming as an adult, time with the animals, livestock included, is both good for the soul and the mind. I and many others contemplate how the transformation of our American culture from an agrarian to a service economy has decayed the fabric of our society, and the understanding of Purpose and Reality that underlies that fabric.
Some of the best thinking I have ever done has taken place while mucking a stall, lugging food and water, or the dreaded picking rocks from the field that seemed to have grown over the winter!
Crazy, Yes, increasingly separating ourselves from Nature - as tho we are not a part of all Nature. Dr. Malone lives and demonstrates that deep belonging.
This is why I love this part of your reveal. Anyone who knows horses can see the love and respect between you and the horses. Humane and educated knowledge of training and general care is displayed through the horse's behavior. Anyone who deems you anything other than this is a fool, in my opinion. And there are plenty of those, now aren't there... (I remember the naming and birthing pics of some) I just looked at the pics of Quartz and got tears from the beauty!
Handsome friends! Your horses are exceptional and surely a joy to share your world with. Great pix and its good to see their owner looking trim. From my 36 yrs with my mare, they surely make our lives more satisfying. Thanks so very much for sharing.
Hoping your securing replacement passports went well yesterday.
With great appreciation, wishing you all happiness! ♡♡♡
yes, new passports are now in hand.
thanks
Quartz is magnificent . Topazio is beautiful as well. They are quite a pair. Love the picture of you in your Portuguese Calvary uniform. Jade is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Your horseraising stories are helping me to have more respect for this animal. As a kid on the farm in the 40’s and 50’s, the only breed I was familiar with were a pair of Belgians. Great working horses. Did some plowing with them and used them for a couple years for mowing, windrowing and putting up hay and spreading manure. Machinery replaced them. In Colorado I preferred a mule for riding mountain trails. Bob and Nellie were characters, each with its own personality. Bob would get a little lazy working and start to slack only to have Nellie turn and give him a good nip on the neck. He straightened out. Keep your stories coming.
Stunning!! And what a great animal to spend time with. God Bless you and your family.