When I started thinking about this week’s ABC Wednesday, the word that popped into my head was ‘holiday‘. I think it’s a word that means different things in different parts of the world, but here in England it usually means packing a suitcase and going away for a week or two to relax, unwind, and maybe experience something different.
Well, back in June 2007, that’s what we did. We went to the US to visit friends, and once that part of our holiday was over, we got on a plane and headed up to Vancouver, which was one of the zillions of places on this earth that I had never seen.
There were many fun things to do in Canada, and here is just one of them – it’s the most suitable one for today, because it’s all about horses.
Stanley Park in Vancouver is a wonderful place, 400 hectares of forest and lawn and paths and hiking trails, close to the heart of the city. Now, I’m not much for hiking, or cycling, or in-line skating either – all of which you can do in Stanley Park – but I do love horses. So when I found out they do horse-drawn tram tours there, I had to go!
See that lone passenger up there in the front? That’s OH, that is, in one of his famous hats!
If I remember rightly, this pair of horses was comprised of one percheron (the dapple grey) and one percheron/shire mix. Handsome, though, aren’t they?
When I got in and sat down beside OH, I couldn’t help noticing I had an excellent view of the horses’ hindquarters.
I also had an excellent view of the complex harness arrangements.   You will notice that they wear ‘horse nappies‘! I guess that it’s the law in Vancouver, so I’m wondering if the Mounties have special dispensation? I can’t see them galloping off to apprehend a villain with the dung bag bouncing around behind, can you?
Oh, and don’t forget to check out those wonderfully decorative hames! There they are, those antenna-like things, sticking up above the horses’ collars. Now, if I remember rightly, hames were originally for running the traces – or reins – through. Perhaps the idea was to take some of the weight off the horses’ mouths, and also to prevent the traces falling to the ground and tripping them. However that may be, this particular harness is arranged somewhat differently and doesn’t appear to need any support at all.
Here’s a close-up of the percheron’s head.
The harness in the previous picture is very neat and tidy, but I can’t help thinking that all this stuff on the poor horse’s head is a bit heavy. He’s wearing a head collar as well as his bridle, presumably for hitching him with, and are those chains really necessary?
Oh, and talking of hitching – here’s where they wait for their next lot of customers.
It’s kind of cute that their hitching rail is decorated with horse heads, don’t you think?
As we drove out of the park, we passed another tram coming back round. I wonder if they get bored, pulling trams around all day? And yet these heavy horses do need to work in order to keep fit, don’t they? And I do love to see them.
Happy trails!
Footnote: I’ve just upgraded to the newer WordPress blog, but in the process I’ve lost the ability to post big pictures and have them resize themselves nicely and come out clickable for the full view. Apologies for that, I’m looking into whether I can have that back, and if so, how!
The one horse looks as if he’s got stars all over his body, especially from the back!
Mara´s last blog ..H is for…
What great shots for the H day! I love the horses — even though I can’t help feeling sorry for them having to wear all that gear and the “nappies” in particular!! But background for your shots is magnificent, so green and lovely! Terrific post!
Enjoy!
Sylvia
Sylvia Kirkwood´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday — H!
Looks like a fun visit. I like that dappled horse.
secret agent woman´s last blog ..Accidental Portrait
I’m also posting an entry on Horse, the only place to see them here is at the zoo!
But of course your photos are much more magnificent that mine.
Jama´s last blog ..Ruby Tuesday
I know a couple US expats in New Zealand and they use holiday that way; as someone from the US, still seems odd.
Roger Green´s last blog ..H is for Hate
Beautiful post!
My ABC & Watery Wednesday
The dappled horse is wonderful and this was a fun post to read. You sure found a lot of H’s.
Happy Holiday.
photowannabe´s last blog ..ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " H "
I must get on that horse drawn cart the next time I’m over in Vancouver. Very nice h post and photos.
Joanna´s last blog ..H is for harvest
Great photos and wonderful horses. If it is boring work for them perhaps they enjoy the different passengers, – do you suppose they discuss them? “Did you see that fellow with the camera and the funny hat har har….?
Great shot for the H day. Wonderful horses, I wish I could have a ride.
What a great post! I love it! I was just thinking today about how we call it Vacation and most others in the world call it Holiday. I think Holiday sounds better. A little more glamorous!
Those are great pictures. And to pull a tram that size, they must be powerful horses.
Anthony North´s last blog ..HYPOCRISY
Great “H” post. Very informative and interesting. I love the dappled horse.
hip chick´s last blog ..H is for honey (mine that is)
We have the pony and traps along Douglas promenade and I often just watch them when working that way. They always look so patient and gentle. As for holiday, just back and I could straight back out there.
babooshka´s last blog ..Hillside flowers – H
There are many ways to look at horses – this is one of the better ones I have seen
RuneE´s last blog ..A POTD for the Water Drops
I wanted to say that I love the dappled grey horse, but since everybody else already did, I felt so sorry for the other one that he/she instantly became my favourite.
Great post again, though I do feel a bit sorry for them. But they look to be in good condition.
Carolina´s last blog ..Yesterday evening
Draft horses are beautiful animals, but then I’m a sucker for any kind of horse.
I’ve gone on carriage tours a few times. They’re always fun. Those harnesses are pretty elaborate.
Great choice of H’s!
In answer to your question on my post, you’re right, horses are flight animals, and I suppose there’s always some danger in tying them. The highline, however, allows them to move 360 degrees and has some give, which generally prevents panic. A well-trained horse will move side to side rather than pulling back when tied by the halter.
Tying them high keeps them from getting caught in the rope and breaking a leg.
We’ve never had the horses panic at night. If we heard the bells around their necks start jangling, though, we’d be up right away to see what was wrong.
Janie of Utah´s last blog ..Highline
That was a wonderful post with great photos!
these photos are AMAZING. What kind of camera do you use?
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Where In The World Is Tony Bennett?
Beautiful horses. Nappies? That’s no fun.
liz´s last blog ..Bad Sex and gardening
Ah, what lovely lads those horses are! The dappled is my favorite. So beautifully kept.
Jenn Thorson´s last blog ..Cabbage Bowling: the Abuse Abides
Wonderful H post. Stanley Park sounds like a great place to visit. A ride in a horse-drawn tram would be a bonus.
EG Wow!´s last blog ..Back in Session/ Sepia Scenes
I love riding in horse-drawn carriages, but I always feel a bit sorry for the horses. At least it must be better than those pony rides at the carnivals, where the poor ponies just go around and around in circles.
Rose´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday: A HOST of Plants
Ah, what a host of horse’s hinds! Stanley Park is a great place to visit. I love all sorts of rides – from horse-drawn trams to airplanes – just so someone else does the driving!
Granny Smith´s last blog ..H is for Houses – Berkeley styles
What a wonderful ‘H’oliday you have:)Thanks for sharing & also thanks for the visit of my’H'aze.
Awang-Malaysia´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday letter H is for HAZE.
Your post is fantastic. Ka Pai aka as great job in Maori. Your horses reminded me of the carriages in the New York central park when we went with my kids. The driver happened to be a girl student working part time from Israel.
My son read your comment and he LOL.
that was a wonderful H post! loved the details of the harnessing of horses.
magiceye´s last blog ..Thursday Challenge – flight
These are wonderful horses, so impressive.
Grace and Bradley´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday: H is for House & Garden
Mara – I know! Isn’t he beautiful! I love the dapples!
Sylvia Kirkwood – I agree, the nappies look uncomfortable, don’t they? But they honestly didn’t seem to notice that they were there!
Secret Agent Woman – Thank you!
Jama – I can’t imagine being in a place where the only way to see horses was to visit the zoo! You can tell I’m not well-travelled, can’t you?
Thank you for the compliment! But your photos are beautiful too!
Roger Green – As ‘vacation’ sounds odd to us, no doubt! Cultural and language differences do seem odd at first, don’t they?
Martha and Photowannabe – Thank you!
Joanna – You should! It’s a fun way to spend an hour, and it’s relaxing. And if you love horses, you definitely should!
Hildred & Charles – Haha! They certainly looked as if they were talking together at times, so maybe it’s true! They were discussing us. LOL!
Married to Singaporean – Thank you!
Life with Kaishon – But foreign words always sound enticing – even if it’s only another form of English! ‘Vacation’ sounds so much more grand and exotic to us! LOL!
Anthony North – They are very powerful! And when you see them up close, their muscles are enormous. I do admire the people who work with them, especially vets, whose job involves doing unpleasant, scary things.
Hip Chick – Thanks!
Babooshka – Oh, yes, you do, don’t you? We took a ride when we were in Douglas! Our hotel overlooked the prom, too, so we could watch from the window.
RuneE – Thank you! That’s kind.
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Carolina – LOL! You are funny! It’s true, everyone loves the dapple grey, but we don’t know what he’s really like, do we? He might be horrible to all the other horses, rather like a snooty supermodel who knows she’s the best. And the other horse might be a real sweetheart.
They both looked really lovely though. And yes, they were very well cared for.
Janie of Utah – They are lovely, aren’t they?
Thanks for your answer – I knew you would do nothing to harm your horses! I’m sorry if it came over as critical in any way. And I do see the logic of the high line – better than ground tie outs any day, and the same goes for dogs, come to that. The bells are such a good idea, because I’m sure you would hear them tinkling if the horses were uneasy for any reason (like a bear wandering close) long before they got to panic stage.
Vicki from Florida – Thank you!
Meleah – Thanks – the camera was the digital Canon EOS-something-or-other, the equivalent to the American ‘Rebel’. It is a nice camera, but it’s big to carry around, especially on foreign trips, so I now have a Panasonic point and shoot, and also a Panasonic ‘bridge’ camera, both of which do a great job too!
Liz, Jenn Thorson and EG Wow – Thank you! Yes, they were lovely! And carriage rides are always good.
Rose – I always look at the animals before I take part in anything which involves using them. These horses looked well cared for, fit, and content, and the drivers knew them personally and all their little habits, etc.
Actually, I think horses easily get into a routine and quite like it – they know where they are going, and it can be difficult to change things, because they want to stick to the usual way – but it would be horrible to just go round in little circles all day. I think that is a form of cruelty.
The route in the park is long enough not to be too boring for them, I think. And I’m sure they change it around, too.
Granny – LOL! Yes, much better to sit back and relax, isn’t it? I always let OH drive on long trips, too!
Awang Malaysia – Thank you!
Ann Chin – Kia ora! And thank you for the compliment! We rode on the Central Park horses, too, when we were in New York!
Magic Eye and Grace & Bradley – Thank you!
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I’ve not seen Heavy-horses for a long time now but riding behind a horse is a lovely experience. You obviously had an horrendously happy holiday.
Gerald´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – H is for Haughton Green
What gorgeous horses Jay. I’d have gone for that tram ride too. Sounds like your holiday was fun.
I did horse brasses this week. They’d have been more than suitable for these handsome people.
Dragonstar´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – H.
what superb camera work what tpe is it??
sandy´s last blog ..Thursday 13- 13 Zinger Combacks
great post with wonderful photos!
I would have missed it as your comment on my post was in the spam list and I just came to check it.I am happy to have come instead of just deleting it!
sema´s last blog ..6 Thinking Hats
Wonderful post – lovely horses!
jabblog´s last blog ..Introducing Gus
Beautiful horses! The brown one looks like a Clydesdale! Had to visit to see where you live, you said you don’t have hummingbirds. I didn’t know there weren’t any in England. They are quite something! When they pass by you close enough, the beating of their wings sounds like a cat purring, like a little motor.
lin´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – H is for Hummingbird
I agree with all the commenters who said “great post” and “great photos” but if I were a horse (I’m not, btw) I don’t think I would call it “cute” to find my hitching rail decorated with horse heads. Have you never heard of Don Corleone, woman?
rhymeswithplague´s last blog ..Post-Labor-Day thoughts
While I was reading your post, Jay, I had no idea nappies existed! At first I didn’t know what to make of them, but it is a good idea. I wonder if the horses at Central Park in Manhattan wear them since the park is very clean. I’ll have to ask the next visit. Love the pic of OH which offered a bohemian, artist’s look?! Have a wonderful weekend, Jay!
)
p.s. I’ve copied and pasted the reply about a replacement for eggs in the “Vegetables” recipe. I was surprised by dLife’s answer although I appreciate that it didn’t neglect the question:
Thanks for your question! We’re so glad our recipes are working out for you. Unfortunately, we do not have a working chef on site at dLife, so we can’t answer that
question for you ourselves. We’d have to look it up on google, and since you know better than we what you’re
looking for, that’s the best we can suggest. Sorry we could not be of more help.
Stay well,
Kate Horowitz
Kate Horowitz
Editorial Assistant
dLife: For Your Diabetes Life!
Are those horses related to Clydesdale’s? (Sorry if someone asked this already.)
Mr. Nighttime´s last blog ..Because I was there.
You are so marvelously inventive – HINDQUARTERS! I laughed so loud, my cat awakened, quite startled, and jumped off my lap!
ethelmaepotter´s last blog ..Where Were You?
Gerald – Thank you! We did have a great time.
Dragonstar – Thanks! Yes, I’m a sucker for horses! And they’d have looked very handsome with horse brasses, wouldn’t they?
Sandy – It’s a Canon DSLR, one of the earlier models.
Sema – Thanks for rescuing me from the Spam! I have to do that sometimes, too.
Jabblog – Thank you!
Lin – I may have remembered it wrongly, but I think he’s a Shire cross – maybe with a Clydesdale?
No hummingbirds here, sadly. They’re such pretty little things!
Rhymeswithplague – Hahaha! Oh yes – although I haven’t seen the movie, I know about that scene.
Petra – Yes, I think the Central Park horses wear them too.
Thanks for letting me know about the recipe. It is as I suspected – they may not be a decent substitute for egg in this case. Oh well. C’est la vie.
Mr N – I don’t think so – one was a Percheron, the other (if I remember rightly) a Shire cross. But Percherons, Shires and Clydesdales are all ‘heavy’ or ‘draft’ horses, so I guess they have a similar build.
ethelmaepotter – Thank you! Well .. it begins with ‘H’, doesn’t it? LOL!
Gorgeous looking horse and carts… reminds me of my trip to cuba lots of traps there such a lovely way to travel….