The best co-workers you could ask for (Belgians)

[DappleGrayMyWay]

As some of you already know, I recently landed my Dream Job as Interpreter at the Carriage & Trail Barn at Biltmore. I'm having an incredible time of it. I don't get to work as much as I would like yet, but it's gone well so far.

I'm completely in love with the "low man on the totem," Brad. I've already talked it over with our program manager, and when he's retired (in eight or nine years), he's mine. He looks rough right now because he's got some odd fungus or something on his back that we're treating, and he's ribby mostly because he's new to the herd and has been having "teething troubles" getting settled in. Once he's comfortable, he'll start to gain. Right now though we bring him in every day even when he's not working and he gets an extra meal

So here's Brad


One of the perks/responsibilities as interpreter is that I groom and harness the 'off' horse of the pair we're working each day. Today that was Willie, so I took his portrait to share with you.

So here's Willie


And here is a short video of Willie and Jesse bringing the wagonette into the barn for lunch today.

[BklynCwgrl]

I never heard of the position of "interpreter". Do you interpret horse speak, or what? LOL

[DappleGrayMyWay]

Here's Waylon, with his incredible forelock. His is the longest of our herd. Waylon is special in that he's not as openly affectionate and friendly as the others. He needs to trust you, first. He's wary of new things. But he's gotten used to me now, which is a good thing...



Here's Pat. He's absolute Alpha of the herd. There are two others who are pretty much equally dominant, but Pat goes out of his way to be In Charge. He's always at the gate first, he has to be caught and fed first, and he's got to be pushed out of the way to get to any other boy.



We have nine Belgians at our barn, and two more in retirement at another location. Eight of the nine are in working rotation and we have one in lay-up to heal his feet. We get ours from Sugar Creek, Ohio, from Amish farmer/breeders.

[Luvridn]

That sounds like a fantastic job! I am jealous!

And I can see why you are in love with Brad, he is a real cutie!

[DappleGrayMyWay]

Originally Posted by BklynCwgrl

I never heard of the position of "interpreter". Do you interpret horse speak, or what? LOL

Think historical interpreter, or nature interpreter...not interpretOr. If you've ever been camping at a Forest Service campground, the people who do the outdoor programs like slideshows and campfire stuff are interps. A lot of park rangers in public contact positions are interps. It's about translating the jargon of the location into managable lingo...in my case, the history of the Estate and the Vanderbilt-Cecil family to a very appreciative audience.

[DappleGrayMyWay]

Originally Posted by Luvridn

That sounds like a fantastic job! I am jealous!

And I can see why you are in love with Brad, he is a real cutie!

Than you, it's a job I've been trying to get for eight years! They'll never get rid of me now!!

Isn't Brad precious?? And the poor guy just gets hammered. All the other horses are merciless. And he's just as sweet as you could ask for. I know it's not fair to pick a favorite, and they're all wonderful and I love them, but he's my special boy all right! He knows it too, comes right to me when I call him. Even if the alpha Pat is there, Brad will brave the lions to come get a petting from me

[HighHorse]

I love the luscious forelocks around there

That is definately a dream job. I guess working at the Biltmore is just what you do when you live in Asheville. If you're still there over Christmas we will see each other! You can meet the High Horsey children and husband as well.

[Lady_MCSE]

They look like real sweet-hearts! I just love the belgians' blonde color scheme . . .

[BklynCwgrl]

Originally Posted by DappleGrayMyWay

Think historical interpreter, or nature interpreter...not interpretOr. If you've ever been camping at a Forest Service campground, the people who do the outdoor programs like slideshows and campfire stuff are interps. A lot of park rangers in public contact positions are interps. It's about translating the jargon of the location into managable lingo...in my case, the history of the Estate and the Vanderbilt-Cecil family to a very appreciative audience.

Well you just taught me something! I had no idea! How fabulous!

And great coworkers you got there!

[ChasnCans]

Good lookin boys, just wondering why don't they include mares into the program?

Just like a equal minding boy everyday?

[ThatsAlly]

Originally Posted by ChasnCans

Good lookin boys, just wondering why don't they include mares into the program?

Generally, and I am only speaking from my experience as a vet tech talking to local drivers/farmers/draft pullers geldings are usually sought after for lack of hormone induced periods of 'crazies' as opposed to mares or stallions My bf's father was looking at a young mare recently as a possible choice for a pull team and the man almost fell off his porch when Archie said he was thinking about starting to do draft pulling as a hobby and was very interested in the mare's very impressive build. The man said, between laughs, that no one uses a mare unless you want to work 50% of the time. I didn't find it funny, but I own a hormonal mare myself, so I saw some logic

[cameo05]

They are gorgeous.. You do have a dream job.

[Carri]

They are all so beautiful!! I am like you, I always go for the underdog.

[DappleGrayMyWay]

Originally Posted by ChasnCans

Good lookin boys, just wondering why don't they include mares into the program?

Just like a equal minding boy everyday?

Honestly, I wondered that myself when I started. It is to avoid the monthly crazies, to be honest. But also, having mares around will distract the geldings too. Although there are many mares who are okay when they cycle (mine's one of them) too many are variable and that's a problem when you run a program like ours.

[DappleGrayMyWay]

Originally Posted by HighHorse

I love the luscious forelocks around there

That is definately a dream job. I guess working at the Biltmore is just what you do when you live in Asheville. If you're still there over Christmas we will see each other! You can meet the High Horsey children and husband as well.

Wonderful! Yes, I'll be here over Christmas...not the exact week of the holiday though. PM with your dates and maybe we can meet. I'd even be happy to show you around some, and I have some insider tips on getting the most out of Biltmore

The Biltmore Company is the fourth largest employer in the area, second largest private employer; the school system, and the hospital are the largest overall, then the grocery store chain Ingle's is bigger, but then us. It takes a long time to get on with Biltmore too, I've been trying for years! Once you get a job there you hang on to it!

[HorseLovinLady]

They're gorgeous!!!

[ChasnCans]

Originally Posted by DappleGrayMyWay

Honestly, I wondered that myself when I started. It is to avoid the monthly crazies, to be honest. But also, having mares around will distract the geldings too. Although there are many mares who are okay when they cycle (mine's one of them) too many are variable and that's a problem when you run a program like ours.

Thats what I figure, guess its better safe than sorry.

I love the outcast -- poor guy, you'd think being so big he'd just push his way around with the other big guys lol

[scrapchick]

Lucky you!!!

[ahlihaff]

They are beautiful.