Horse Tales
Big Red Prefers Early Morning Rides to Being a Show Horse
by Candice C. Dunnigan

An addition to the list of horse breeds represented on Mackinac Island is a dual-listed equine by the registered name of High Castle Oisin, called "Oisin" (Oh-Sheen), also referred to by some as "Big Red." He is a 12-year-old gelding who has spent the last eight consecutive summers on Mackinac Island as a pleasure horse.

Oisin was born in Guelph, Ontario. He is listed in the Canadian Sport Horse books, as well as the American Trakehner Association, and carries a lifetime membership in the United States Dressage Association. His half brother was on the U.S. Eventing team at the last summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where his former owner won individual gold for the U.S. team, riding Oisin's cousin. In spite of the impressive credentials and lineage that goes along with him, Oisin is a horse who does not really like to show or be drilled around Mackinac's riding ring. He is happiest in the open field, crossing a stream, or on a trail on a crisp autumn day, or when snowflakes are falling.

His sire was a Canadian Thoroughbred named Always Run Lucky, who did "run lucky" for several years. There was Irish racing blood in his line, and the offspring from this horse have a heavy and strong set to them. Canada has many excellent regional horses. In 1926 the Canadian Hunter, Saddle, and Light Horse registry was established. Many horses had been bred in Canada for more than a hundred years then, and sold to the United States. The registry changed its name in 1984 to include the term "Sport Horse." The Canadian breeding objective has been aimed to produce sound horses, able to compete in all multiple disciplines, and capable of carrying a rider over long distances, taking rough, country, stiff obstacles at suitable speed. The registry inspects stallions of approved breeds. Oisin's father was one of the foundation stock.

High Castle Oisin, or Rig Red, was born in Canada, and likes living on Mackinac Island.

The maternal lineage of the horse (Harley G.S.) is a Trakehner, a type of German warm blood. Trakehners were nearly wiped out of existence during World War II. It is an old European line developed by King Frederick William of Prussia. He diligently worked to develop a breed of a hardy horse, excelling in endurance for the military cavalry, as well as light draft work. The Trakehners made their first appearance ridden by the Germans in the 1924 Olympics. The breed has done well in every Olympics since. In Europe, they're also driven, as they make an elegant driving horse. Trakehners tend to be heavily muscled horses with a refined head, and broad between the large eyes. The back is straight, the chest is deep, and the heavy shoulders are prominent. The legs are straight and the hoof is solid. They're known for their easy, almost floating trot. The most common color is chestnut. Piebalds (spotted) also occur in the breed. The temperament is usually quite docile on the ground, but can be extremely powerful under the bit.

Oisin is a combination of all of the above. His birth name was Happygolucky. At the age of five, he won A-rated dressage shows, and made his debut as a fox hunter. The emphasis on showing diminished as he continued to grow. The complexities of fox hunting increased, and his use in those areas gave way. Oisin seems to truly prefer the Island over all of the places he has lived. Right now, he has no career goals. He loves to be ridden early in the morning, and is content to go alone. How come I seem to know? Insider information helps. Both my husband and Oisin, his big red horse, have told me so.

Candice Dunnigan is an active member of the American Equestrian Association, the Waterloo Hunt, and the Mackinac Horsemen's Association. Seasonally she resides at Easterly Cottage.