A Reward [Daily Photo #105]

As a reward for writing a lot lately I got a new Schleich toy! This is a Norwegian Fjord Horse! Nice to meet you. Although you're Norwegian, I want to give you a Russian name. Hmmm, what could it be…

Брусничка! Brusnichka, which means 'little lingonberry.' If you've been reading this blog for some time, you probably know how much I love horses (and donkeys). So it's no surprise that after buying a Schleich donkey (whose name is Dankie) last year I got a horse this time. =D

From Wikipedia:

“The Fjord horse is one of the world's oldest and purest breeds. Horses were known to exist in Norway at the end of the last ice age. It is believed that the ancestors of the modern Fjord horse migrated to Norway and were domesticated over 4,000 years ago.” and “Today, the Fjord horse is a favourite at Norwegian riding and therapeutic schools, as its generally mild temperament and small size make it suitable for children and disabled individuals. They are considered very good driving horses, and are commonly used in everything from competitions to tourist transport in Norway.”

I have a soft spot for the primitive markings that some horse breeds have. This one has that lovely dark stripe on the back!

Dankie adds, “Hey, I have that dorsal stripe too! With a cross*!”

*In Russian, the dorsal stripe is called ремень, remen' — belt, strap, and with the shoulder stripes it forms крест, krest — cross.

There is no Akhal-Teke among Schleich toys, which is a crime against humanity. But they do have quite a nice range of horse breeds!

Bonus photos: flowers near a mall!

The toys I did not buy...

It wasn't easy to choose just one!