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He's a beauty!Had the privilege of meeting this beautiful stallion a few years back. He's a Shire, the first I've ever laid eyes or hands on. I hope someday to own a horse like this. View attachment 9545
Aw. Bummer.
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP)- With his long, blond mane, bronze-colored body and sweet disposition, Surfer Dude was perhaps the most popular pony of his day. The stallion, who sired dozens of ponies like those celebrated in the childhood classic "Misty of Chincoteague," has died.
The remains of the 23-year-old pony were found last week on the southern end of Assateague Island, the wind-swept barrier island off the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland. He likely died of natural causes, Denise Bowden, a member of the Chincoteague firefighters known as saltwater cowboys, said Tuesday.
"He's like the Misty of our generation," said Bowden, a native islander and member of the department. "He was such a gentle soul. He sired so many beautiful foals through the years for us. He was always leading the pack."
"I think age just got to him," Bowden said. "We had a pretty rough winter."
The last Wednesday of July every year, the ponies make their annual swim across the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague as tens of thousands of tourists look on.
Each year the wild ponies are auctioned to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which cares for the Virginia herd.
Ponies that are not sold and those that are donated back to the fire department will roam free for another year on the national wildlife refuge on Assateague.
Asked how many of the 130 or so ponies were sired by Surfer Dude, Bowden said, "Dozens. I mean dozens. He was the man."
While Surfer Dude will be missing from this year's swim, one of his offspring seems to be ready to fill the void.
Riptide, a 6-year-old stallion, has a half dozen or more mares in his harem.
"It's almost like he passed the torch to him," Bowden
He was one of the local ponies.
Are you feeling better these days?I can't tell you how it lifts my spirits to see the beautiful horses posted here.
This makes me want to bury my face in their neck and smell them. Beautiful creatures.
What's the name of that breed DK? I can't think of what they are.
I think I love watching westerns just because of the horses. I have 5 collections of The Cisco Kid, and they had 2 beautiful horses.
Best part of ANY movie is the horses. Even with that ridiculous soundtrack, I'll watch Ladyhawke now and again, just for Othello.Those are Norwegian Fjiords. They're so pretty! And I agree, the best part of a Western is the horses.
Love this (Ladyhawke) movie.Best part of ANY movie is the horses. Even with that ridiculous soundtrack, I'll watch Ladyhawke now and again, just for Othello.
Thank you, Dk. So many breeds of horses! All of them beautiful!Those are Norwegian Fjiords. They're so pretty! And I agree, the best part of a Western is the horses.
That seems really excessive!Wow!! Amazon has that movie for 53 dollars!!
It is a beautiful love story, yes... I am such a girl. Don't care.Out of my budget! I never heard of this movie, but after that clip I want it! I will keep searching..
The horse is amazing, incredibly beautiful animal.I found a used one for about 18 dollars. I can handle that!
I read on one site that it is the horse that people want to see, so that is why the high price.
Forget that. You can watch the whole thing on youtube for free.Wow!! Amazon has that movie for 53 dollars!!