Recounting Cherished Memories

My mother recounts the cherished times of visiting her Grandmother Emma and Grandpa Swan on the farm. Her childhood memories included her and her cousin Billy riding the two draft horses Frank and Bluecher. Marian was so tiny her legs would stick out straight on each side of the big burly horse. Her and Billy would trot along happily giggling while astride the large footed beasts.
Frank and Bluecher were Swan's right hand help when working and logging the fields. Swan and Emma would rise for early morning breakfast long before day light. Shortly after, Frank and Bluecher would be hitched up for a long day of work. As the morning would bring light Emma would prepare Swan a biscuit and some food for nourishment. The food would be placed in a small metal bucket and a clothe would be wrapped around the handle and placed into Fido's mouth. Fido was a black and white Border Collie who would faithfully take the bucket of food quite a distance to Swan on a daily basis. When the sun would begin to set Swan and his faithful team would start their journey home. Swan was very appreciative of Frank and Bluecher and respected the work they did for him. Before Swan would enter the cabin for dinner he would carefully brush and feed them. He believed in setting boundaries for his animals and would stand no non sense but he treated them with love and kindness.
Emma worked hard through out the day and would have supper waiting for Swan's arrival. As day light would fade the small cabin would be lite by oil lamps. Emma would remain up and complete some chores as Swan would turn in for the night. My mother recounts staying up late with Emma and hearing a grumble come from Grandpa's room. She asked Emma, "Grandma what is that sound?" Emma would respond in her gently Swedish accent, "Oh, that is yust your grandpa sayin his prayers."
Neither Emma nor Swan took life for granted. A pioneers life was filled with lots of hard work, much loss and cherished times of rejoicing and celebration. None of which were taken for granted.
C.A. Bresin

The Draft Horse
The horses that we recognize as draft horses today, with their powerful bodies and impressive height may have first appeared on the scene in the beginning of the nineteenth century. These horses were bred for transporting freight and for farming, and they were of a particular use when it came to pulling carriages and carts, especially in the time before the railroads. In America, the early twentieth century saw thousands of draft horses being shipped in from Europe. During the last part of the nineteenth century, there were many American draft registries founded, and by 1915, the Percheron was the most numerous draft horse to be found in America.
After a decline following the invention of the automobile and the truck, the modern draft horse is seeing a marked increase in numbers. More and more people are realizing that the heavy draft horse breeds have some very important contributions to make, whether it is for trail riding or in the show rings. Today's draft horses are still in use in an entertainment capacity all over the world, but this is far from their only function.
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