Animado (Sorraia x Sorraia Mustang) Early Summer 2010 /Ravenseyrie Sorraia Mustang Preserve
What a gift it was for Kevin and me to be actually present at the birth of the very first Sorraia Mustang here at Ravenseyrie! And it was by sheer luck and utter amazement. You can read the story by visiting the special page Leslie Town Photography set up to share with others an article I wrote for our local paper, The Manitoulin Expositor along with a string of photos I took during those first magic moments. Animado was born before I was a "blogger" so it was very thoughtful for Leslie and her sister Janet Grant to offer to make this page for the story on the website. Animado's birth story was also published in Volume 3 Issue 4 - July/August 2008 Equine Wellness Magazine.
Without further adieu, lets get on to the photos documenting Animado's life thus far:
2008
Animado blends well into the colour of the rocks down on the Ravenseyrie beach.
2009
Animado's dam, Bella is a shade lighter than Altamiro, but with an overall darker face. Animado is a couple shades lighter than his mother and has much more contrast between light and dark on his face.
Animado has a dark round spot on his right cheek, but not on his left. He also has a faint short stripe on either side of his withers, just as does his sire, Altamiro.
A nice comparison here! Animado on the left, next to his sire, Altamiro on the right
Note specifically the difference in the bi-colouring of their manes and tails, with Animado's being might lighter in contrast to Altamiro's
2010
Here Animado is on the right, next to his half-sister, Encantara
Another nice comparison scene between Animado (fore) and his sire, Altamiro (back)
And look at the difference in shades of grulla here between father and son!
Altamiro chases Animado in early spring
It is believed the grulla colouring of primitive horses while expressed in varying shades from light to dark, were "solid" meaning no white blazes, socks, stars or other markings. White markings are assumed to be indicative of the presence of domestic horse genetics present alongside those of the primitive. Both the Sorraia and Sorraia Mustang horses were exposed to outside influences in their histories and though their primitive genetics 98% of the time express themselves purely, occasionally white markings and off colours (black, bay, grey) may emerge. The Polish Koniks and even the Przewalski's Horses have been documented with a "cropping out" of white markings or off colours in certain individuals. One would normally not include horses with any white in their preservation efforts, however, Animado is a perfect representative in every other way, and with so few good candidates in the world, he is considered to be an excellent choice for a herd sire. Animado has been purchased by the Soul of Sorraia ranch and is expected to travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming in the spring of 2011.
Just like his mother , Bella, Animado displays short, faded cross striping along his spine, depending on the time of year and the play of the light, as shown in this photo.
Animado's dam, Bella is a shade lighter than Altamiro, but with an overall darker face. Animado is a couple shades lighter than his mother and has much more contrast between light and dark on his face.
Animado has a dark round spot on his right cheek, but not on his left. He also has a faint short stripe on either side of his withers, just as does his sire, Altamiro.
A nice comparison here! Animado on the left, next to his sire, Altamiro on the right
Note specifically the difference in the bi-colouring of their manes and tails, with Animado's being might lighter in contrast to Altamiro's
2010
Here Animado is on the right, next to his half-sister, Encantara
Another nice comparison scene between Animado (fore) and his sire, Altamiro (back)
And look at the difference in shades of grulla here between father and son!Altamiro chases Animado in early spring
It is believed the grulla colouring of primitive horses while expressed in varying shades from light to dark, were "solid" meaning no white blazes, socks, stars or other markings. White markings are assumed to be indicative of the presence of domestic horse genetics present alongside those of the primitive. Both the Sorraia and Sorraia Mustang horses were exposed to outside influences in their histories and though their primitive genetics 98% of the time express themselves purely, occasionally white markings and off colours (black, bay, grey) may emerge. The Polish Koniks and even the Przewalski's Horses have been documented with a "cropping out" of white markings or off colours in certain individuals. One would normally not include horses with any white in their preservation efforts, however, Animado is a perfect representative in every other way, and with so few good candidates in the world, he is considered to be an excellent choice for a herd sire. Animado has been purchased by the Soul of Sorraia ranch and is expected to travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming in the spring of 2011.
Just like his mother , Bella, Animado displays short, faded cross striping along his spine, depending on the time of year and the play of the light, as shown in this photo.
