Conestoga horses were a cross between Flemish draft horses and Virgina mares. In the 1850s, draft horses were used to pull very heavy loads over short distances on paved roads. They were also capable of traveling 100 miles over poor roads in mountainous terrain. These horses had strong bodies, long striding legs, a steady active movement, weighed 1500 pounds, stood 16-17 hands high (64-68 inches tall), and their body color was solid, either bay or black (most often black). These horses died out in the 20th centrury for several reasons. For one, Conestogas needed careful attention to keep them healthy. Mules, on the other hand, needed practically no medical attention and hardy western horses were cheaper to buy, did not eat as much as Conestoga horses, and were strong enough for farm work.
The largest horse in recorded history was probably a Shire horse (a breed of draft horse) named Mammoth, who was born in 1848. He stood 21.2½ hands high (86½ inches), and his peak weight was estimated at 3,300 pounds.
As we talked about earlier in the blog, oxen were used mostly for pulling the lighter "prairie schooners" used on the Oregon Trail. This is a good picture of a gathering of wagons on the road. Looks like the traffic jams we have in Dallas most days!
Gumby is a green clay figure with his sidekick, a talking orange pony named Pokey. Gumby's nemesis are the Blockheads, red-colored figures with block-shaped heads who are always causing chaos. Other characters are Gumby's dog Nopey (whose entire vocabulary is the word "no"), and Prickle, a yellow dinosaur who will dress up like Sherlock Holmes with a pipe and deerstalker hat. Other characters are Goo, a flying blue mermaid who spits blue goo-balls and can change her physical shape at will; Gumby's mother Gumba and father Gumbo; Gumby's sister Minga, and mastodon friend Denali.
From the weird to the wild! I found this old picture hanging around the house of two "ladies" and two serious-looking gentlemen. Wonder what they were up to?
Can you read to Rocky, like this little girl? 
Children (grades K-5) read to Heart of Texas therapy dogs on Saturday, September 17, at 2 p.m. at the Dallas Public Library, Audelia Branch, Dallas, Texas. Read for fun and to improve reading skills. The dogs are good listeners. Bring your own book or use ours.
