I took the day off of work to attend an Amish auction. In the fall, they sell lots of produce (potatoes, vegs) quilts, rugs and of course lots of horse tack. It is always well-made, and low priced. I was looking for some hand-tied halters and some wool saddle blankets (I use them for rugs and decorative wall hangings in my home).

While I was milling about, I noticed a nice looking black horse, tethered to the hitching post. He was hitched to a 4 seater covered Amish buggy. Their mode of transportation - 100% of the time. So, I walked over to admire his beauty, and the closer I got I could see that he had some Arab blood in his veins. He was a gelding, and quite handsome - standing in the sunshine, waiting for his owner to return. An Amish man came over to me, and I ask him if it was his horse. It was. I complimented him on the horse and ask him if he knew about the horse's bloodlines, saying he looked like he had some Arab in him.

It was then, that he told me that Yes, the horse did have an Arabian background, he was by a black stallion that a neighbor had in for harness training several years ago.

To make a long story short, as it turns out that the sire of that horse hitched to the buggy was my stallion. While he was in training they used him on several of their standardbred mares. This colt was the result of one of those breedings.

It put a smile on my face for the remainer of the day!

Also, I ended up purchasing an old Mission style chair. I liked its looks... thought I could fix it up and use it in my house. It wasn't until I got it home, that I got a closer look at it. It was made in 1899 in Michigan, by the Royal Chair company. It has the original upholstry, and is in wonderful condition. So - I looked it up on the internet. Restored chairs like this sell for an average of $1600. I paid $2.00 for it.

What a day!

Isn't that something? Must have been wonderful to find a unknown get of your handsome boy!


Robin

Wow, sounds like a great day!

WOW, that's strange they would use your boy without you knowing.Great deal on the chair.I better start going to the Amish sales around here.GREAT DAY!

Heidi:

Oh, I did know that they'd used him. It was part of the arrangement - he received harness training, and in turn covered a few of their mares. I had just never seen the resulting foals of the breedings. Amish don't have cameras, and I don't get over that way too often. I sent him back the next spring for a refresh, and in turn they started one of my half-arab fillies. Amish like to barter.

I purchased him as a long yearling. Hadn't been handled too much up to that point. He was pleasant, but not a lot of good manners - you know - he was young and male! His stay with this Amish family taught him many things. The day we trailered him up there, he was full-of-it. He came off the trailer 10 feet tall. All excited - a new place with MARES! He was high-stepping and vocal! They led him into their big dairy barn and straight into a tie stall. On either side of him there was a 17 hand WORKHORSE. He got quiet real quick. Hasn't been a screamer since. They started him in harness with one of the BIG boys. He learned what to do and what not to do. He took them to market, to school, to church and to town. He was there for 3 months the first time - as a 2.5 year old. Too young to ride, but he learned so much while there, getting him accustomed to saddle was like cutting cream.

Amish like plain. They frown on fancy ? EXCEPT when it come to BLACK horses! Driving that BLACK desertbred Arabian stallion was probably comparable to one of us driving a black limo! Ha.

How neat what a wonderful day for you .

When you said Amish and auction, I immediately thought the worst! Glad it was a happy story!

Great story!!
CBJ

So where are you, Sandstone? OH or IN? I'm in Lancaster County, PA, so lots of Amish. The story of your boy and the big horses brought back a funny thing that happened with my guy several years ago. GT Tokay was my stallion (still have him, just as a gelding) and he was always a perfect gentleman away from home. I took him to compete in the "Challenge Of The Breeds" one year which used to be held in Harrisburg during a draft horse show. THere was also a QH day and a App. day, Arab day, etc. But lots of drafts the day we went for the challenge. I took him to the big indoor wash rack for his bath and before we were done, a couple big Perch's came in for their baths. The handlers needed step ladders on wheels to get them washed up high! Poor Tokay literally shrunk trying very hard to NOT attract their attention.

Neat story! Cool find on the chair, and very cool to see that gelding One of my favorite crosses is Standardbred and Arabian. He must have been very nice indeed.