Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[kinboshi]

Red, in no way do I want to delay the story, but what do Gypsies do with their horses to have them worth so much?

Is it money from the gig racing? (think that's the right term) - I occaisionally see an unused section of dual carriageway near me used for this. Or is it a tradition to keep them and show them at the horse fairs etc?

I believe that Tom said that they are used as a form of currency amongst Gypsies.

Yes, I remember that.  They're something that's of value to Gypsies but not 'gorgers' (is that the right term for non-Gypsies?).  Tom was talking about the horses being a way of 'hiding' wealth when other property was being confiscated by the 'authorities'.

[RED-DOG]

Red, in no way do I want to delay the story, but what do Gypsies do with their horses to have them worth so much?

Is it money from the gig racing? (think that's the right term) - I occaisionally see an unused section of dual carriageway near me used for this. Or is it a tradition to keep them and show them at the horse fairs etc?

I believe that Tom said that they are used as a form of currency amongst Gypsies.

Yes, a form of currency.

In the past, horses were a way of keeping money together or hiding it from the authorities without putting it in the bank.

Say a Gypsy had two horses, worth 500 each at auction to any member of the general public. To a Gypsy, one might be worth say, 1000 pounds, and the other might be worth 3000 pounds, depending on how close they came to meeting the "Perfect" standard.

The one worth 3000 to the Gypsy would only be worth that amount because he could sell it for that price (give or take) to another Gypsy. To a gorger, it would still only be worth 500.

Does that make sense?


Gig racing (Do you mean harness racing, with a sulky?) is completely different. Gypsies race half bred or three quarter bred trotting horses and their price is governed by ability only.

[RED-DOG]

I sold our "Mobile a few weeks ago. Today I bought a replacement, so now we are no longer homeless, and I'm Mrs Red's blue eyed boy again.

 

[Eck]

Very nice tom, Stella? have you named it?

[RED-DOG]

While I was out, I spotted this gorgeous little bunch of yearling fillies. I spent half an hour or so just looking at them.

Don't they look fantastic in their winter coats? Some Gypsy man somewhere will be proud of these.

[Karabiner]

They look absolutely loveable Tom.

I see what you mean about the short back, especially the filly in the foreground of the last pic.

Would that make her the pick of them ?

[RED-DOG]

She is a lovely filly Ralph, I was torn between her and the second one in.

[RED-DOG]

BTW- Her head looks big in that pic, but if you look closely you will see that she is carrying 4 or 5 inches of beard.

[RED-DOG]

Jimmy had offered £1000 for my foal, a lot of money for a man like me back then. All I had to do was slap his outstretched palm and the deal would be sealed, but I had refused. Had I done the right thing? I thought I had.

For one thing, news of his offer would travel through the community like wildfire. My black colt was only one day old, and already people would be talking about him, building him a reputation. For another thing, Jimmy had said that he would “Stand on” meaning his offer was still open should I change my mind.

I had taken a risk with Henry’s mare, but it had turned out well. Paying good money for her and then getting this foal was like calling a big raise with 45os and then flopping the nuts. Of course, I could still be outdrawn, but I had no intention of checking it down. I was all in.

I left Henry’s mare and her foal in the little paddock for a week or so, just to make sure that everything was ok. Then I turned them out into the pasture I was sharing with Jimmy. The other mares took great interest in the newcomers, and milled around excitedly for a while, until Jimmy’s old stallion “Rocky” (So named because he was an inveterate fighter) came along and stamped his authority on the proceedings. He scowled a little and generally threw his weight about, and within couple of minutes “His” mares were herded together into a nice obedient little bunch. Then, with a grunt of approval, he led them away.

“Black Jack” as the colt became known, grew rapidly and seemed to improve with each passing day. Two or three times a week, someone or other would call at my place and ask “Will you take me to see that black colt I’ve been hearing about?” or if it was someone who had seen him before “Let’s go and see how Jack is coming on.” At least once a week, someone would try to buy him, or to get him in a swap, offering carts, harness, or other horses in part exchange. Taking people to see him was no hardship for me. I basked in his glory.

By the time he was 6 months old, Jack had really blossomed. Gone was his baby coat, replaced by one that was so sleek and black that it almost seemed that you could see your reflection in it. His double mane hung down each side of his neck, and his hooves were already almost completely covered by curtains of beautiful straight silky feather.

Good feathering is very important in Gypsy horses. It’s a case of the more the better, but it has to be straight and silky, (as in the examples below) not coarse or bushy.

[RED-DOG]

It was time for Jack to leave his mother. A mare will go on producing milk long after her foal is capable of supporting itself, and Henry’s mare was no exception. I wanted her to have a chance to replenish her reserves, to lay up some fat for the coming winter.

More than just weaning Black Jack off, I wanted to take him home with me so that I could teach him some manners before he got too big and strong to handle. One day soon, he would be a writhing mass of raw energy and rippling muscle. I needed to show him who was boss, and the sooner the better.

Jack however, had other ideas.

[Karabiner]

You're doing it again Tom...



Here's wishing you and Zelly health, wealth and happiness in your new home which looks fabulous btw.

[boldie]

You're doing it again Tom...



Here's wishing you and Zelly health, wealth and happiness in your new home which looks fabulous btw.

what he said..on both counts.

[kinboshi]

[sovietsong]

Everytime...

[Laxie]

Everytime...

 

Many more happy years to you and yours in the new place.  It looks lovely!