The Horses

Whale

Whale A huge and gentle Clydesdale cross, big and heavy, with a big handsome head. He’s a rich golden bay gelding, with a black mane which his owner, Birdy, keeps short and a thick black tail cut square. He has one white sock and hairy fetlocks, and a white blaze shaped like a sperm whale.

Birdy is a tiny old woman who has to use a fence to climb into the saddle. Whale is kind and obliging and always side-steps to the fence and stands patiently while Birdy climbs aboard. He is a friend to all the other horses unless food is involved and then he turns into a monster, he loves food more than anything. Every Christmas Whale pulls the wagon bearing Santa to the town Christmas party. Although he ’s big and gentle, he’s easily frightened and has to be very sure things are OK before he tries anything new, although he will do anything Birdy tells him. He trusts her absolutely. As Birdy gets older and more frail he has to look after himself and her more. She’s been a fabulous rider all her life and she and Whale have spent many years fox hunting with a posh hunt club from the city who hunt on some of the properties around Currawong Creek.