Dogwood is now stocking Schockemohle

Are you looking for the latest in equestrian clothing?
Perhaps something to keep you and your horse looking good during the cold winter months?

Fortunately, Dogwood now has Schockemohle clothing in stock. Head on over to the website for more information.

Horses are ‘not just for Christmas'

Anyone who owns a horse knows they are more than just great pets. These animals make fantastic companions and looking after one is a fulfilling and rewarding process. Although keeping equines can often be costly and time consuming, the vast majority of owners are delighted with their animals.

With the festive season upon us, The British Horse Society (BHS) is reminding people that a horse ‘is not just for Christmas'. Reportedly, at least 1,600 equines are abandoned each year in the UK.

Although buyers may leave them for a variety of reasons, many horses could be being left to fend for themselves due to their often expensive livery costs.

In a statement published on its website, the BHS criticised an email circulated by equine retailers Horsemart. Reportedly, the company sent a message stating that "horses under £500 make great Christmas presents".

The BHS feels this was "irresponsible" and also suggested Horsemart may have been exploiting the animals for Christmas.

Horses, similar to all pets, require specialised care from knowledgeable and skilled owners. If someone is thinking about purchasing a new steed, the BHS recommends they seek advice from a reputable horse rescue centre.

These experienced organisations should be able to provide potential purchasers with lots of helpful information, such as how to attach a horse rug and necessary equestrian clothing.

Photo © breyeschow via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

North Korean archaeologists discover "unicorn lair"

Apparently archaeologists in North Korea have "recently reconfirmed" the home of a unicorn.

I'm just going to let that sink in for a moment.

I came across this groundbreaking story after reading an article on the Guardian website. The organisation was reporting on a claim by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) which stated that the lair of King Tongmyong's unicorn had been discovered.

Reportedly, the ancient king founded the Koguryo Kingdom, which lasted until 668AD, and travelled about on one of these animals. Anyway, the archaeologists found the unicorn's home a short distance away from the North Korean capital Pyongyang.

The KCNA report states, "A rectangular rock carved with words 'Unicorn Lair' stands in front of the lair".

Although I may just be being overly sceptical, I don't think archaeologists have actually found proof relating to the existence of unicorns. However, if Kim Jong-un appears on international news riding one of these mythical animals, I will apologise for doubting the regime and may eat a horse rug as penance.

Photo © Rob Boudon via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Photo shows horse-drawn gritting vehicle

It's getting a bit nippy isn't it? With the cold weather setting in, doubtless many individuals are thinking twice before stepping outside. Although December has only just started, snow has already fallen over parts of Scotland and northern England.

As a result, councils may have deployed gritting vehicles in order to deal with the icy conditions.
Many of these trucks are equipped with GPS devices and are able to quickly remove the dangers associated with winter elements, but it wasn't always this simple.

An interesting article on the BBC website features a picture from the Westminster City Council archives. This image dates back to 1903 and shows how authorities would have handled the frozen conditions.

Back then, the Council had gritting vehicles – but these were horse-drawn carts.

The photo – which shows a horse and cart being driven by someone who appears to be wearing some sort of riding hat – was found in an old folder by council employees. According to the article, it would have taken a minimum of 12 days for these carts to grit the area around Westminster.

Fortunately, technology has made it easier for councils to control the dangers associated with ice and snow. Although the process can sometimes take a while, motorists shouldn't have to wait two weeks before safely completing their morning commute.

Photo via the BBC website