Heather (rare feathers) I had NO idea you were rockin it like that!!
That mare is just so so so sweet.
And, so many other beauties on here. I had horses growing up and just moved back to the family farm where I grew up and guess what the very first thing I did was?
get my son a pony, of course
Here's Hutch
He came to us a freebee on Craigslist. I never even got a picture before he got off of the trailer just a promise that he'd be the bestest kid pony in the world... which was a promise kept.
I started a thread on here and everyone said how stupid I was. That I couldn't possibly grip the magnitude of owning a horse and by page four of the discussion, I felt overwhelmed and was sure I was going to kill him with my ignorance but sure wasn't the case
He came thin and had a severe bodywall hernia and was dropping feed as fast as he was dropping weight. We had the dentist out and had his hernia examined and he got a clean bill of health.
He chunked up quick and I just cut his feed back for the umpteenth time.. talk about easy keeper. He's the greatest pony and we feel it was destiny he found us. He turned out not to be the 8 years old as originally stated.. more like twenty something ... but, couldn't be happier. And, I think all those miles are what makes him priceless
Then, I had to get one for myself.... or 2
Here's Lennon, my Camelot Feedlot rescue.
He was said to be appendix but, we really don't know what he is.. maybe standardbred cross. His canter is so extended and huge, I have never seen anything like it. Lennon is herd leader and keeps everyone in line out there with a gentle hand.. most of the time. He is a gentleman under saddle and has this hilarios slow jog that you can sit to. It's his way of avoiding having to trot
And, here's my project this Spring. He's from Central VA Horse Rescue. His name is "Baby Huey" and that's exactly what he is... We've had to get very clear who's boss but managed to remain best buds
He's a PMU foal that is supposed to be a hanovarian appy cross. All I know is he got off the trailer and I was like WHAT?!!?! happened to the rest of him. ahhahaahahh He is so short backed. Im anxious to see how that translates to smooth gaits or lack there of. He's had pretty extensive groundwork and lunges nicely ... his trot is hilarious. He trots like a goofy draft horse.
He's my big baby and it's VERY difficult not to spoil him. He gives kisses and snuggles and follows me everywhere
Well... there's my babies. I also have a field full of boarders... mostly appys and QH's. Im living the dream being able to handle these guys every day... and GET PAID FOR IT
He turned out not to be the 8 years old as originally stated.. more like twenty something
That makes me think of going to the Friday night horse auction when I was younger......an obviously older horse would come in, one of the ring guys would check it's teeth and say somthing to the acutioneer and he'd start off with "He's a California nine year old"..........
oh.. the PMU thing is terrible. http://www.savinghorsesinc.com/PMU_Nurse_Mare_Foal_Rescue.php The mares are kept pregnant to use the chemicals in their urine for a drug. The foals are pulled pretty quickly and the mares are bred again. It is creating a ton of unwanted, unregistered foals and most wind up at slaughter. Huey is 4 this year. He was very lucky and, I believe, went through an auction where he was scooped up by the rescue.
I just need to be careful. My field filled up quickly. I've already rehomed Kitty and Gloria, a percheron mare with more issues than I could deal with and an ex racehorse in desperate need of re-education. It's really a crapshoot at the auction but, luckily, there are people for every horse... it's just making the connection. Kitty went to a very drafty experienced family that do wagon trains. They laughed at Kitty's shenanigan's where I was terrified and promised she'll be heading up the mountian on route 40 in PA this summer! Gloria went to a trainer in VA who is schooling her all spring and will have her in her lesson program by late spring.
Here's Kitty. I was able to do 4 months of groundwork with her and, by the time she left, she lunged w/t/ho all by word command, stood patiently on the lead, didn't bulldoze through gates and was a lot less nervous on the ground. She adored her routine and I think will make a lot of progress with someone who could give her some training under saddle.
and here's Gloria. I only had her for a few weeks but, she made friends quickly.. especially with Lennon
I wish I could home them all but, I found out quickly that I just can't afford all those horses... dentist, vet, feed... but, at least I was a safe haven for an inbetween time and did what I do best which is network to find them a good home... hopefully, they will remain out of the auction system.
And, YEAH! that's funny about the auction thing... they're always 9 years old and a lesson horse.. sound and ready to go