FIRST STALLION REGISTERED
Winswept Shawn, second-generation Desert Norman
The Desert Norman Horse Registry is delighted to announced the registration of its first stallion – Winswept Shawn. He stands in the western Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
Shawn is a second-generation Desert Norman, out of a Desert Norman mare by a purebred Percheron sire. That makes him 25 per cent Arabian, and 75 per cent Percheron.
His breeder, Murray Leepart, had originally intended to geld the 1999 colt, but the fellow who was to geld him never showed up. And Mr. Leepart soon came to like the well-behaved colt just the way he was.
Shawn, 17.1 hands, is such a gentleman that people sometimes find it hard to believe he’s a stallion. The black stud is a versatile harness horse, who’s been used in parades, led four and six-horse hitches, and pulled farm machinery.
This magnificent Desert Norman, showing the fine temperament the breed is known for, has even been hitched with mares in heat without incident. Mr. Leepart says his horse might cast a sidelong glance at the mare, but a quick word from his master and he turns back to his work.
“When he’s in the harness, he’s not a stallion,” said Mr. Leepart.
Shawn has bred a number of Percheron, Arab and thoroughbred mares and stands in Grandora, Saskatchewan, a half-hour drive west of Saskatoon.