Blessi's Cholesterol Level

Cholesterol molecule--Wikipedia

Recently the vet did a blood profile workup on Blessi as a general wellness check.  Believe it or not Blessi
will be 20 in 2016.  Great news!  Blessi's blood work results were all normal.

Four results were out of the typical range for horses but the vet no worries.  Of course I decided to do some research so I thought I would share them with you.

Blessi's cholesterol is low.  Frankly I didn't even know cholesterol was an important measurement for horses.  Blessi's score was 64; the normal range is 75 to 130 for horses.

High cholesterol can be an issue for horses; just like for humans.  Extremely low cholesterol can be an indicator of impaired liver function.  Interestingly, a research article published in the  1979 Journal of Equine Medicine on cholesterol level by equine breed indicated that Fjords and donkeys tended to have lower cholesterol levels than other breeds.  Icelandics and Fjords share a genetic heritage so that may be a contributing factor.

Also Blessi gets a 1/4 cup of whole oats mixed with his supplements each day (mainly to ensure he cleans up every morsel of supplement).  Studies on horses and humans have shown that eating oats can help lower cholesterol.  Of course Blessi gets such a minuscule amount that this may have no impact on his cholesterol level.

So Blessi has inspired  my New Years Resolution--lower my cholesterol in 2016.

Something Icelandics are Really Good At--even in Australia

And here is something Icelandics are really good at compared with other breeds.  Logur wins the distance call challenge for food in David Lichman Course Victoria Australia.

What do cats think about at Christmas

Let's let the cats explain their viewpoint in the following video. One of my favorite parts is the "special human catnitp.

How to gift wrap a Gypsy Vanner for Christmas

You can call this whimsy or you can call it bomb proofing, either way it is a testament to the temperament of the Gypsy Vanner breed.  Happy Holidays!



Santa's elf, per the video description, states that it takes " 3 acres of wrapping paper and half a mile of sellotape" to gift wrap a horse.

How to make a Horse Head Wreath for Christmas

Here are the directions.

Behind the Scenes of Dogs Making Toys for Santa

Freshpet Pet Food contributes to animal charities each year.  They put together the awesome video Santa Claus Workshop show in an earlier posting.  Here is a behind the scenes look.

Who Really Makes Santa's Toys

Now we know why some of Santa's toys break a little easier than others--unskilled labor.  Not to mention cats who try to sabotage the process.

Happy Holidays I still want a pony for Christmas

I love this song by Don Bodin.  How many children want a pony for Christmas.   I think I will annoy my Mom and send the link to her since Santa never brought me a pony for Christmas.  I had to get Blessi by myself.  Hum some unresolved childhood issues here?.

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Minis All the Way

https://www.facebook.com/ranchduchevaldor/videos/1210466092316571/?theater



Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have been experiencing a lot of raining days.  Just to get you in the mood for Christmas, here is some fun you can have with driving minis through fresh snow.  Doesn't the one driver in the funky hat look a bit like  Radagast the Brown from the Hobbit movies.  Instead of using rabbits, Radagast has switched to minis for the winter.

 Click here for link to video

Strangest horse cart I have ever seen

Have you ever wanted to surf, ride a bicycle, and drive a horse at the same time plus take your dog along?  Somebody has invented a "vehicle" to do just that.



Here is a link to the Craigslist ad in case you are interested.  More photos appear in the ad.
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/grd/5286343990.html

Icelandic Horse Joins Star Stable

Star Stable is a virtual game that originated in Sweden in which virtual girls (no male avatars) explore, have adventures, and enter competitions with their virtual horses on the imaginary island of Jorvik.  The first five levels are free.  Additonal horses can be purchased via real money or accumulated points.

https://www.starstable.com/en/

The big news on the island of Jorvik this week is that girls can purchase an Icelandic horse that tolts. There seems to be a lot of interest in this "new" breed since the introductory videos have accumulated well over 100,000 views in four days.  For those of you interested in what a virtual Icelandic looks like, here a link to the introductory video.  Check out minutes 1:08 to 2:03.

I had to chuckle at the youtube comments debating whether these horses are ponies or horses.  

Here is a link to the comparison of abilities of horse breeds on the island of Jorvik.
http://ssoridethrough.com/get-help-here/new-horse-guide/
http://ssoridethrough.com/get-help-here/new-horse-guide/ 

For those of you who have young relatives who desperately want an Icelandic horse but finances are a problem, this may be a fun way to meet that need.

Here is Northena's ride on her Icelandic as the two explore the four gaits of the Icelandic horse in Jorvik. In this video, the rider explains how to purchase an Icelandic horse in Jorvik. The animators have done a fantastic job creating Jorvik.

Here is a link to Star Stable's policy on ensuring a safe on-line environment for children.

http://corporate.starstable.com/parents/

Here is an explanation of what it costs to be a Star Rider.
https://www.starstable.com/en/membership