VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5], 6 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 06:01:05 02/06/03 Thu
Author: Cheri
Subject: Wednesday's inspiration..
In reply to: Cheri 's message, "A New Week. Daily Inspirations, and Horse Facts.." on 00:16:39 02/04/03 Tue


A FUTURE WITH HOPE

_________________________

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NRSV)

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

_________________________

Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

-- Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)

_________________________

TODAY I lost my "dream job," working with small groups of struggling second graders. I had worked hard to build a relationship of trust and genuine love with them. I committed my career to God and gave thanks daily for such a wonderful and gratifying way of helping God's little ones. "Why did God allow the department to close and my hopes to be dashed?" I wondered. "Where will I again find such a fulfilling job?"

As these thoughts threatened to overwhelm me, I thought about the little tree outside my front door. The coming of spring promised it would soon sprout beautiful foliage on its tired, brittle branches. Yet the tree seemed to sag hopelessly, still holding on to several dead leaves which had somehow managed to survive the winter. Those leaves hung on precariously, unaware that the time had come to make way for new growth.

Was I stubbornly hanging on to my dream job and becoming angry rather than trusting God? Perhaps God has something even better in mind for me and for the children, just a season away. I want to allow God to show me the path. As surely as the buds of spring will sprout, God will provide new hope.


Prayer: God of hope, help us to trust you and to keep our eyes
focused on you as you lead us on our daily journey. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God gives us the gift of hope.

-- Barclay Marcell (Illinois, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Students struggling with school
_________________________

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Wednesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 06:09:07 02/06/03 Thu


The Percheron Horse



The Percheron Horse originated in the area known as "Le Perche" in the north west of France. Here in 732 A.D. Arabian Horses abandoned by Moors after their defeat in the Battle of Tours were crossed with the massive Flemish stock and from this cross came the Percheron type which has endured for twelve centuries.

During the Crusades, further infusion of Arab blood was made; Arab sires procured in the Holy Land were bred to the Percheron. In the early 1800's the French Government's Stud at La Pin introduced further Arab blood into the Percheron breed by covering selected mares with two outstanding Arab sires. Now all contemporary Percheron's share this common heritage descending from the foundation stock that originated in La Perche.

The Percheron Horse Society of France was founded in 1883, to safeguard the breeding of pure stock and from this small district of La Perche. Pure-bred breeding stock has been exported all over the world with each nation except U.S.S.R., having an official Breed Association to ensure the preservation of the pure-bred Percheron, and so the Percheron Horse remains genetically pure with registered animals.

Introduction of the Percheron into England came about at the conclusion of the First World War. Many farmers serving with the British Forces in France became familiar with the Percheron and impressed with its docility, activity and power and ability to work both in mud and on hard surfaces. At the conclusion of activities the Percheron was imported to England as a general workhorse and large numbers were to be seen working through out the arable counties of East Anglia and the Fens in particular and they quickly spread to other parts of the country.

The formation of the British Percheron Horse Society took place in 1918 and during 1918-1922, 36 stallions and 321 mares were imported from France and the merits of this clean-legged animal were unmistakably recognised, and membership of the society grew steadily. The main aim of the Society was to encourage the breeding of a clean legged draught horse with short legs, short back, ample bone, powerful, active and quick in work with a good temper and easy to handle.

During World War Two and immediately afterwards, there was a rapid increase in farm mechanisation and a consequent decline in the numbers on heavy horses seen on farms. However, a strong nucleus of Percherons remained on farms in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Co. Durham, and Hampshire.

Enthusiasts have since kept the breed alive and active and now in the 90's with energy crises and oil shortages, there is a tremendous amount of interest in the breed with many new studs being started in various parts of the country. The demand for the Percheron has been such that export sales have been made to Canada, Australia and many other parts of the world to the extent that the Percheron is now a leading breed in the world of Heavy Horses.

Despite the placid nature of the Percheron, they are capable of a good showing with plenty of action when required for showing. A well-matched team of either dark dapple or light greys, properly handled, can make a very fine display. Again, their nature makes them good to handle and very popular with the public.

In recent years pure bred Percheron's have performed well in Heavy Horse Driving Trials and during the "Route de Poisson" where distances of up to 17Km are covered at a trot. Percheron horses crossed with lighter breeds are known to make good riding horses for Hacking and Hunting.

Anyone interested in the draught horse for commercial use would be well advised to give the Percheron serious consideration.


[ Edit | View ]






[ Contact Forum Admin ]



Forum timezone: GMT+1
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.