April 29, 2004

Pet of the Week: Easy

A certain Arabian equine in Almaden has the best of both worlds. The mare roams on a one-and-half-acre pasture nestled in the foothills with her three horse pals and she is the favorite riding horse of guardian Janice Frazier, participating in dozens of Santa Clara County Park’s dedications and trail watches since 1989.

“Easy” gallops up to the fence standing 15 hands, her small delicate head tilted and large brown eyes inquisitive. She is an Arabian, a centuries-old breed believed to have originated in the ancient Arab nations. They are known for their stamina and adapted well to the harsh environment of the desert. Today, the elegant Arabian is the most widespread breed on Earth with more in the United States than anywhere else.

Frazier purchased Easy when she was 6-years-old from a breeder that raised and foaled her at a year and a half. Frazer was told the horse would be difficult to train as no one ever worked with her. But with loving handling, the horse was, well, easy, hence her name was born.

“That’s what I would say to her: Easy, girl, easy.” Frazier said affectionately petting the striking mare. “She was easy to train even though no one had ever worked with her. I was looking for the perfect name and it was Easy.”

Easy is a young-looking 24-year-old and a perfect example of the breed. Her delicate head features a wide forehead, small ears, large brown eyes, flared nostrils and soft gray muzzle. She is “flea-bitten gray,” a soft muted color with small specks of brown peeking from underneath her coat. She eats alfalfa, oat hay, grain, apples, carrots and the occasional sugar cubes.

Frazier rides Easy a couple times a week for pleasure and exercise but the horse has made many appearances throughout the years at Santa Clara County Parks Department and Bay Area Ridge Trail dedications of new trails and parks all over the bay area. The pair are also members of the park’s volunteer program, Trail Watch. Twice a month the two, as a mounted watch, inspect miles of trails, looking for trees down, litter or anything out of the ordinary. Easy and Frazier must pass and be approved by the parks department to participate. The duo also appears at Christmas in the Park parade, the New Almaden parade and the Pioneer Day celebration. This last weekend Easy attended the Canada del Oro dedication and equestrian ride at Calero.

“She is a great horse to bring to these events as she is so calm and gentle.” Frazier said about Easy. “She calms other horses down if their acting up. And she’s good with people.”

The pair also participates in endurance races. The triathlon is a team of three with riders, bicyclists and runners going the distance on an 18-mile trail. And there is also the yearly poker ride sponsored by the Santa Clara County Horseman’s Association, who meet at Calero Reservoir and ride the figure eight at the lake and stop to play poker. The people—not the horses.

Easy has a busy life volunteering and socializing, but when she’s at home with her equine friends, she’s just a horse. A horse that has the best of two worlds.

—By Jeanne C. Lewis

Photo by Jeanne C. Lewis

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