Spirit Riders Therapeutic Association
2 Elliston Road A0C 1B0 Bonavista, NL, Canada

Beautiful picture of our horses Trooper and Trigger taken by Mark Gray

Christmas pictures of the ponies

My friend Louise took this photo today. Santa was out for a test run on his horse on Robert E Howlett Highway in Newfoundland Canada.

What is wrong with this picture? Answer: Nothing! Each winter we get many calls from people concerned after seeing horses with snow on their backs. If you see s...now building up on a horse’s back or rump, you are looking at proof that body heat is not escaping through the hair to melt the snow, and their coat is keeping them properly insulated. Also, the best way for a horse to stay warm is by eating! You can also see in this photo that the horse has access to a shelter, but is choosing to stay out in the snow and eat Photo credit: University of Minnesota

JIMMY, 'The Sergeant', another war Donkey Hero who became a Mascot to British troops. He learned to raise his hoof in salute by soldiers who brought him up. Aft...er the war, Jimmy raised thousands of pounds for the RSPCA charity. He was born at the Somme (France) in 1916. Soldiers of the 1st Scottish Rifles were fighting German forces when Jimmy’s mother was fatally injured, just as she started to deliver her foal. The German side stopped firing and started to cheer as Jimmy was delivered by the ‘Jocks’ and taken back behind the British lines. From then on, he was adopted and looked after by the Cameronians who fed him tinned milk; when he became strong enough to do so, Jimmy was employed carrying ammunition, supplies and wounded soldiers. Jimmy saved countless soldiers' lives. Although wounded 7 times by shellfire he carried out his duties, and this dedication to duty earned him the distinction of being given the honorary rank of Sergeant, which was signified by having three stripes marked on his bridle. He was later honoured by the award of the prestigious Dickin Medal for bravery, the highest military honour for an Animal, by the Cameronian's Museum in Hamilton, Scotland. Jimmy is buried in Peterborough and they still remember him. Donkey and Animals, our voiceless friends... They had no choice... We will always remember them. https://horse-canada.com//jimmy-the-donkey-small-survivor/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk//The-donkey-born-First-World-W https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk//peterborough-remember http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/25403862 http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/story/6234 Did you know the commemorative flower for military Horses, Donkeys and Mules is a blue cornflower? http://www.warmule.org/blog/cornflowers-and-floppy-mule-ears