Latest news with #Percheron
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
From rustic camping to full-service RV sites, here's what the Fond du Lac area has to offer
FOND DU LAC – Prospective campers in Fond du Lac County wouldn't have a long drive ahead of them for scenic or recreational camping. Whether in a tent or RV, camping is a popular summer activity for families, individuals and friend groups, often accompanied by fishing, hiking and other activities before the nights are spent around a campfire. Here's what the Fond du Lac area has to offer for camping opportunities, not too far from home. Read more: Lakeside Park carousel is taking 2025 off for a new park project. Here's what's coming. Breezy Hill Campground, N4177 Cearns Lane, has tent sites, RV sites, cabin rentals and RV rentals, as well as a swimming pond, catch-and-release fishing ponds, swimming pool, playground and other recreation opportunities. Other amenities include campground-wide Wi-Fi, a general store with supplies, a heated and air conditioned pavilion, and a dish washing station. Laundry facilities and an arcade are also available for a fee. Additionally, Breezy Hill houses the seven Percheron draft horses of Breezy Hill Thunder and book weekly wagon rides on Saturday mornings, as well as horseback riding lessons and horse boarding. For more about Breezy Hill and reservation policies, visit The Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds, 520 Fond du Lac Ave., has a 20-site RV park near the grandstand, and the property offers a playground and swimming at the outdoor Family Aquatic Center. Most sites include water and sewer in addition to electricity, though bathrooms and showers are available upon request during normal business hours. Pets are welcome as long as they're leashed, and "off-the-ground" contained firepits are allowed. Camping will not be available July 13-25 because of the county fair. For more information and reservation policies, visit Read more: Wood's Floral will close next month, but its staff and 'heart' of the store will stay with the local industry Columbia Park, N10340 Calumet Harbor Road in Malone, includes a playground, a basketball court, shelters and picnic facilities, as well as part-time campground hosts who are available for questions and reservation assistance. Popular for boating, the park also has six boat launches, a four-slip marina for annual rentals, and overnight docking for 40-50 boats on the harbor wall. For more information and reservation policies, visit Across the river from the Waupun Family Aquatic Center, the 103-acre Waupun County Park, 825 County Park Road, has a wooded 42-unit public campground. The property includes playground equipment, shelters, disc golf and hiking trails. Part-time campground hosts offer assistance with reservations. For more information and reservation policies, visit The Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit has a variety of camping opportunities, from full hook-up sites to backpack shelters. Campgrounds at Mauthe Lake, N1490 County GGG, and Long Lake, N3450 Division Road, have access to showers, bathrooms and drinking water. Several campsites have electricity, and some sites are tent-only. Each site at Greenbush Group Campground, N5854 Kettle Moraine Drive, can accommodate about 40 people for tent-only camping with access to the Greenbush Trail System. No shower facilities are included, but an enclosed shelter building, drinking water and vault toilets are available nearby. Campers with horses can reserve one of the sites at New Prospect Horseriders' Campground, with electric service, hitching posts, corrals and access to the 33-mile bridle trail. For those who prefer rustic camping and have the permits, five backpack shelters along Ice Age National Scenic Trail are available for hike-in only and are not accessible by vehicle. Reservations are limited to one night per site with up to 10 people. More information and reservation policies for all campgrounds are available at Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@ This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Camping in Fond du Lac: Top sites are Breezy Hill & County Fairgrounds
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Over 150 farm animals up for free adoption after large Western Mass. surrender
After an influx of more than 140 animals into its care from a large surrender case, the MSPCA is set to offer free adoptions for dozens of pigs, goats, chickens and fowl this coming weekend. The animals from the large intake originated from a single property in Franklin County. A previously surrendered filly named Astrid, who was in 'dire need of medical attention' back in March, also came from this property, the MSPCA indicated. In total, 147 animals — ranging in species from pigs, to goats, chickens, geese, ducks, cattle, horses, donkeys and dogs, were removed from the Franklin County property on April 16, according to the MSPCA-Angell. The animals were officially surrendered by their previous owner on April 22. An investigation is also ongoing against the owner, the MSPCA noted. Read More: Mass. lawmakers eye lesser charge to deter animal cruelty Some of the animals have since given birth, raising their total number to more than 150. The large intake has ballooned the animal population at the MSPCA's Nevins Farm location in Methuen to more than 300 animals, the organization said, adding that capacity is now 'stretched thin.' 'This was a massive undertaking — we took in an entire farm at one time and moved it to Nevins," Mike Keiley, the vice president of the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division, said in a statement. Keiley said it was 'all hands on deck' to move and resettle the animals, but that the MSPCA-Angell is 'uniquely positioned' to help in a situation such as this. Read More: Do you know this dog? MSPCA needs info about emaciated poodle found on highway 'We're really the only local organization that can help with this kind of huge intake,' Keiley said. 'Bringing in close to a dozen different species, including cattle and horses, and housing them is incredibly complicated.' Keiley credited the MSPCA's 'staffing and expertise' with helping to make the operation work, despite the strain on resources to carry it through and to continue the animals' care. 'We need to find homes for a lot of these animals and fast,' Keiley emphasized. 'We typically see more cases of neglect in turbulent economic times and, given what we're already seeing with the increasing costs of hay and feed, I expect more animals will need to come to Nevins soon, whether through owner surrender or related to Law Enforcement cases,' Keiley added. Read More: Second Chance says economic squeeze is pushing pets out of homes, into shelters Adopting out animals currently in the MSPCA's care is the main way the group will be able to care for more incoming animals in need, according to Keiley. Keiley estimated that the cost to care for Astrid, the Percheron filly, as well as the other animals has already cost the MSPCA roughly $25,000. Astrid required more than a week of hospitalization, but has since been released, and is expected to soon be available to adopt. Those who wish to donate to offset the costs of Astrid and the other animals' care can do so on the MSPCA's website. To incentivize adoptions on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, fees to adopt pigs, goats, chickens and fowl will be waived at Nevins Farm. The MSPCA said these free adoptions can amount to a savings of up to $400, which the group encourages new owners to put toward their animals' care. Keiley said the MSPCA's goal is to adopt out 'about 120 animals in just two days.' Those interested in adopting animals for free this weekend can learn more on the MSPCA's website. Registration is recommend, but not required to participate. Famous voice actor killed in Texas shooting at 59 Residential retrofitting program turns on high-speed internet for Bay Meadow Apts. in Springfield ICE defends arrest of Milford High School student, though teen was 'not the target' ICE director 'shocked' MA officials would rather release 'human traffickers, child rapists' back into neighborhoods A Pennsylvania Democrat and Republican come to Boston. Bipartisanship breaks out Read the original article on MassLive.
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Arthur, the NYC carriage horse who famously crashed into two cars, has died after happy retirement
All horses go to heaven. A New York City carriage horse that made headlines and spurred debate after bolting and crashing into two cars, has met a sad but peaceful end after an idyllic retirement on a sprawling farm in the Hamptons. In February 2018, a large gray draft horse named Arthur was spooked by a man yelling and opening an umbrella in Central Park. He ran off, carrying three Texas tourists in his carriage, and crashed into two parked cars. Advertisement 9 In February 2018, The Post reported on a carriage horse named Arthur that was spooked in Central Park, ran off and crashed into two cars. 9 Arthur's carriage was crumpled in the incident, and his three passengers had minor injuries. Gregory P. Mango The incident left the passengers with minor injuries, the carriage crumpled and the cars with significant damage. Arthur, meanwhile, became something of a poster pony for animal activists and was whisked away to a horse sanctuary in Massachusetts. Advertisement At the time, it was reported that a number of organizations and private citizens, including comedian Whitney Cummings, had expressed interest in adopting Arthur, but then the horse quietly trotted away from the spotlight. The Post can now exclusively report that Arthur was eventually adopted by Sabrina Rudin, a West Village restaurateur who took an interest in him after reading about his plight in this paper. 'I had always wanted to rescue a carriage horse … and something about him struck me,' said Rudin, 39, a native New Yorker who owns Spring Cafe Aspen in Greenwich Village and Aspen, Colo. She said the adoption process was 'complicated' because of the media attention around Arthur and political debate over carriage horses, but she persisted. In May 2018, his owners released him to Rudin. Advertisement 9 Arthur (left) was initially sent to a horse sanctuary in Massachusetts. A number of people and organizations expressed interest in adopting him. Facebook 'I was very clear that I just wanted to very privately bring him home … and give him a different kind of life,' said Rudin. Finding a stable large enough for Arthur, a towering Percheron gelding, proved challenging. But Rudin found a home for him at Swan Creek Farms in Bridgehampton. The barn's owners, Jagger and Mandy Topping, were able to combine two stalls to make a large enough home for Arthur. 9 Sabrina Rudin, a West Village restaurateur, was touched by Arthur's story and determined to adopt him. Courtesy of Sabrina Rudina Advertisement 'They helped me give him a really beautiful life,' said Rudin, who grew up riding horses. 'The first few times he saw grass, he was so excited, he was really happy, you could tell that he was really happy to be free.' In his first few months at Swan Creek, Arthur, a shy, gentle giant, struggled to make friends with any of the horses. Then, Mandy called Rudin one day with some surprising news: Arthur had become chummy with the barn's miniature donkey, Jingles. Despite their noticeable height difference, the two were inseparable. 9 At Swan Creek Farms in Bridgehampton, Arthur found an unlikely friend in a mini donkey named Jingles. Courtesy of Sabrina Rudina 'I was just cracking up laughing [when she told me],' Rudin recalled. The two pals enjoyed years of frolicking in grassy pastures together, spending most of their days outside. Arthur never pulled a carriage again, nor was he ever ridden. Rudin and her three young sons, ages 3 to 9, visited him often, showering him with carrots, apples and oat horse cookies. 'He was amazing with the boys,' she said. 'And it was a way to sort of teach them in a really nice, gentle way about something we can do for animals,' Advertisement 9 Rudin said Arthur was 'amazing'with her three young sons. Courtesy of Sabrina Rudina A few weeks ago, it was discovered that Arthur, who was estimated to be about 18 years old, had lymphoma and had a large mass in his rectum. He deteriorated rapidly at the Cornell Ruffian equine hospital in Elmont, NY, and couldn't go back to Swan Creek to see his friend a final time. So, last Sunday, the Toppings transported Jingles to the hospital to say goodbye. Advertisement 9 After it was discovered that Arthur had lymphoma, Rudin made the difficult decision to put him down. But first, Jingles had to say goodbye to his friend. Courtesy of Sabrina Rudina 'They had this very emotional reunion … Arthur could hear him coming down the hall, and Jingles was hee-hawing for him,' Rudin said. 'They spent the whole last morning together.' On Monday, Rudin cradled Arthur's head, whispered her love to him and cried as he went to sleep a final time. She asked the dying horse to send her a sign that he'd made it to the other side OK. The next day, one of Mandy's other clients randomly sent her an old photo of her daughter standing with a carriage horse that looked like Arthur. The year was 2018. Advertisement 9 Rudin bid an emotional goodbye to Arthur on Monday. 9 'It feels like yesterday that I saw the article about him,'she said. Rudin doesn't believe it was actually a photo of Arthur, but she does think it was him sending her a sign that he was ok. Advertisement 'I do believe that wherever he is, that was a wink from him that he was safe,' she said. To be sharing his story with The Post, she said, is a 'full circle moment.' 'It feels like yesterday that I saw the article about him.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Horse-drawn caissons to return in limited use at Arlington cemetery
The Army will soon begin limited use of horse-drawn caissons for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, phasing in the long-held tradition after nearly two years of work to improve the care of the horses. Starting June 2, the caissons will be used for two funerals per day, up to 10 per week, the Army said. The decision comes as the Army struggles to improve training, get better equipment and facilities and rebuild the stable of horses after two died in 2022 due to poor feed and living conditions. 'After careful consideration and coordination, we are pleased to reintegrate the caisson conveyance into funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, a solemn and revered tradition that honors our veterans and service members as they are laid to rest,' said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries. The return of the caissons has been delayed several times. The Army suspended the use of the gray and black horses for the caissons in May 2023 to develop a program to improve the health and conditions of the herd. Two of the Old Guard platoon horses, Mickey and Tony, had to be euthanized within days of each other in February 2022. Both died of colon impaction. On Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commander of the Army Military District of Washington, told a small group of reporters that the Army has been working tirelessly with equine experts to buy horses and improve their veterinary care, training and equipment. He said the Army now has 46 horses and that 33 of those are in three squads that would be used for the caissons. Initially, he said, two of those squads that have been fully trained and certified will be used for the funerals. He said it is hard to say when the third will be used and how long it will take to get a fourth squad up and operating because it depends on the ability to find and buy the horses. He said they are largely looking for Percheron or Percheron cross draft horses that are dark in color and between 6 and 14 years old. Two squads can do the 10 funerals a week. When four squads are fully built and certified and the Fort Myer stable can house two of the squads at one time, the cemetery will be able to go up to about 20 caisson funerals a week. That number is still far short of the 30 a week that the cemetery had been doing prior to the problems. Bredenkamp said about $10 million a year is being spent to operate and maintain the program, adding that it costs about $900,000 to buy, train and equip a squad. Cemetery officials said that in mid-April, visitors will begin seeing the caisson platoon — including the horses and soldiers — around the cemetery as they prepare the horses for duty. During an investigation into the horses' deaths and condition of the herd, the Army found that there was very little grass in their turnout fields and they consumed sand and gravel from the ground while eating the low-quality hay they were fed. The fields were littered with construction debris and manure and were only large enough to support six or seven horses, nowhere near the 64 that were using the fields when Mickey and Tony died, the investigation said. A year ago, officials said they were making progress buying new horses, getting better equipment and improving the training, facilities and turnout areas. But at the time, Bredenkamp said it was far more time consuming and difficult than initially expected to get the program going again. He had warned that it would take an extended period of time to get enough horses to meet the funeral needs. On Tuesday, he said all of the horses in the program in previous years had been retired and all new horses have been acquired. Service members eligible for the use of the caisson will include those killed in action, recipients of the Medal of Honor or the Prisoner of War Medal, all regardless of rank; as well as senior noncommissioned officers, senior warrant officers and senior commissioned officers. In addition, they will be available for the funerals of about 25 service members whose families wanted to wait until the caissons returned. In a statement, Renea Yates, acting superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, said using the caissons in a more limited way will be disappointing to some families, but it 'allows us to reintegrate our working horses back to the cemetery and safely continue the sacred duty of escorting our nation's heroes to their final resting place.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Army to begin limited use of horse-drawn caissons for Arlington National Cemetery funerals
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army will soon begin limited use of horse-drawn caissons for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, phasing in the long-held tradition after nearly two years of work to improve the care of the horses. Starting June 2, the caissons will be used for two funerals per day, up to 10 per week, the Army said. The decision comes as the Army struggles to improve training, get better equipment and facilities and rebuild the stable of horses after two died in 2022 due to poor feed and living conditions. 'After careful consideration and coordination, we are pleased to reintegrate the caisson conveyance into funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, a solemn and revered tradition that honors our veterans and service members as they are laid to rest,' said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries. The return of the caissons has been delayed several times. The Army suspended the use of the gray and black horses for the caissons in May 2023 to develop a program to improve the health and conditions of the herd. Two of the Old Guard platoon horses, Mickey and Tony, had to be euthanized within days of each other in February 2022. Both died of colon impaction. On Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commander of the Army Military District of Washington, told a small group of reporters that the Army has been working tirelessly with equine experts to buy horses and improve their veterinary care, training and equipment. He said the Army now has 46 horses and that 33 of those are in three squads that would be used for the caissons. Initially, he said, two of those squads that have been fully trained and certified will be used for the funerals. He said it is hard to say when the third will be used and how long it will take to get a fourth squad up and operating because it depends on the ability to find and buy the horses. He said they are largely looking for Percheron or Percheron cross draft horses that are dark in color and between 6 and 14 years old. Two squads can do the 10 funerals a week. When four squads are fully built and certified and the Fort Myer stable can house two of the squads at one time, the cemetery will be able to go up to about 20 caisson funerals a week. That number is still far short of the 30 a week that the cemetery had been doing prior to the problems. Bredenkamp said about $10 million a year is being spent to operate and maintain the program, adding that it costs about $900,000 to buy, train and equip a squad. Cemetery officials said that in mid-April, visitors will begin seeing the caisson platoon — including the horses and soldiers — around the cemetery as they prepare the horses for duty. During an investigation into the horses' deaths and condition of the herd, the Army found that there was very little grass in their turnout fields and they consumed sand and gravel from the ground while eating the low-quality hay they were fed. The fields were littered with construction debris and manure and were only large enough to support six or seven horses, nowhere near the 64 that were using the fields when Mickey and Tony died, the investigation said. A year ago, officials said they were making progress buying new horses, getting better equipment and improving the training, facilities and turnout areas. But at the time, Bredenkamp said it was far more time consuming and difficult than initially expected to get the program going again. He had warned that it would take an extended period of time to get enough horses to meet the funeral needs. On Tuesday, he said all of the horses in the program in previous years had been retired and all new horses have been acquired. Service members eligible for the use of the caisson will include those killed in action, recipients of the Medal of Honor or the Prisoner of War Medal, all regardless of rank; as well as senior noncommissioned officers, senior warrant officers and senior commissioned officers. In addition, they will be available for the funerals of about 25 service members whose families wanted to wait until the caissons returned. In a statement, Renea Yates, acting superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, said using the caissons in a more limited way will be disappointing to some families, but it "allows us to reintegrate our working horses back to the cemetery and safely continue the sacred duty of escorting our nation's heroes to their final resting place.'
