Mustangs at Equine Affaire

Hi, Winnie fans.

I just returned from four informative and fun days at Equine Affaire in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Mustangs were spectacular this year. There were twelve of them. One of them was captured from the Wheeler Pass, Nevada herd in January 2007. That's where and when Winnie was captured. They probably know each other. The high point of the Mustang demo was Lonesome. Lonesome is an all black Mustang. He looks like Winnie but is much bigger. Lonesome works pulling a caisson for military funerals in Arlington Cemetery. There are two Mustangs in the caisson platoon. The other one is Wyatt. Lonesome does eight to ten funerals a day. He works for two weeks and then gets a little time off, then works again. Before the demo I went over to his stall and met him. He is very cute and friendly and his nose is velvety, just like Winnie. I talked to the soldiers for quite a while and they told me all about the caisson platoon and showed me pictures of Lonesome pulling a caisson. They said he is very talented and can be an inside horse or an outside horse and can pull the caisson or walk alongside.

He was the finale of the Mustang demo. After the other Mustangs had been introduced and given their demos they lined up and stood quietly at the back of the arena. Lonesome came out. He was ridden by a soldier in dress blues carrying an American flag. Bag pipes played Amazing Grace as Lonesome slowly circled the arena. Everyone was on their feet, all hats were off. People were crying. The announcer read some additional information about Mustangs and explained the Caisson Platoon. It was very moving. How appropriate that the American horse carries veterans to their final rest. All the more reason why they shouldn't be slaughtered or turned into food.

These are pictures of Lonesome and Sgt. Weis.

Mister Albino