Posts Tagged ‘lois syzmanski
Out of the Sea
So since I just finished reading A Pictorial Life Story of Misty, I had a new book on my summer reading list. “Out of the Sea: Today’s Chincoteague Pony” is a book written by Lois Szymaski, and is a great resource for information on the Chincoteague Pony.
I didn’t know much about his book, but had been planning to purchase and read it for a while now. I was familiar with the author, Lois Szymaski, and knew that she was a founding member of The Feather Fund, an organization that helps children purchase Chincoteague Ponies.
This book started out wonderfully as it explained how the ponies ended up on the island, what is done to care for them, and even how their breeding has evolved over the years. I actually found myself learning a lot!
For example in 1939 the fire company purchased twenty wild mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management and set them free on Assateague Island to help the Chincoteague Pony breed evolve, and keep from inbreeding. Over the years Arabian blood was also introduced into the herd, and a popular Arabian Stallion named Premiere was also introduced, but went missing – never to be seen again – the next day.
I also learned that Chincoteague is an American Indian word that means “beautiful land across the waters” and George Washington owned a Chincoteague pony named Chinky.
Boomer's photograph published in the book "Out of the Sea"
And then I got about halfway into the book and I saw it. A picture of Chesapeake Boomerang, as in “Boomer” MY CHINCOTEAGUE PONY! I had no idea that Boomer’s photo was in a book! Not only that, but there was even an excerpt on him about his days living in North Carolina.
Burta Boysen of 1000 Welcomes Farm in NC (my Blitz and Boomer’s birthplace) had written a wonderful account of the process she goes through when breaking and training their young Chincoteague Ponies. Burta stated that most ponies are started under saddle at the age of two, but then goes on to say that sometimes its best to wait as sometimes ponies take longer to mature.
Blitz & Boomer's father in the book Out of the Sea
“Boysen said their pony Boomer is a prime example of a pony that should have waited. “He was just too immature and not ready,” she said, “so we put him up for awhile and now he’s doing great.” These days, you can find Boomer in the show ring.”
The text then goes on to detail the training technique they use for starting their ponies under saddle. Basically roundpen work, with roping of the ponies – including their feet, and introduction to “whoa” as well as plastic bags, lariats, and old shirts.
Later on in the book there are photos of the Boysen’s stallion, Chesapeake Powhattan’s Promise (blitz and boomer’s father), and a story about how “Squat” got his name.
I was totally surprised to find that Boomer was in this book – but I also found it even more interesting to hear about his immaturity level and the process he undoubtedly went through to be readied to ride. From the day Boomer came to live with me in 2008 I knew he had a lot of growing up to do. He could barely carry himself (let alone a rider) down a hill, and had trouble finding his footing on the trail. He was wiggly and was easily toppled to the ground with a rider’s weight shift. Within the two years I have had him he’s come a long way, he now has solid steps on the trail, and he’s even grown into his body more. I think he’ll just always be one of those ponies that take a long time to “act his age”.
Learning about the methods used on Boomer to start him under saddle were eye opening. They probably attribute a lot to the fact that Boomer is pretty much unflappable. He doesn’t spook, and rarely have I found anything (or any situation) that rattles him. He’ll touch anything and try anything, and is a very trusting pony. I just might have to practicing roping each of his feet to see just what he knows!
Anyway this book definitely gets my vote as another must read – and not just because one of my ponies is in it!
Photos are reproduced from the book “Out of the Sea” by Lois Szymaski
