I have been contacted by a therapeutic riding facility about bringing some chickens for their equine assisted therapy. I know, chickens are not horses. But they wanted to introduce a few different animals into the mix for those suffering from various mental and physical needs. I used to volunteer there, so when a rooster showed up mysteriously, they called me to "assess" his ability to stay on the farm.
Mr. Flappy, as the kids named him, is all about settling himself in the lap of someone wheelchair bound or joining someone in the arena during therapy with the horses. He has even tried to join children on the ponies, much to the dismay of the therapist. He is a well mannered creature and has never intentionally harmed anyone. The expensive dressage saddle on the other hand...almost got him introduced to a soup pot.
His spurs are the problem. It seems as though Mr. Flappy is well aware of those who need a gentle friend and those perfectly capable of grabbing him and trimming his spurs down. His spurs are quite magnificent, and trying to get him to cut them is the difficulty the folks on the farm are facing. They also worry since he just hangs around and is not interested in going in the coop they made, that cutting his spurs down will get him eaten by a predator. One of the riding instructors suggested getting some kind of spur cover for him, that they can put in during lessons and remove after everyone has gone home.
Are there any that are available that people recommend for long term use? Or a style that I could perhaps help them design and put in the rooster? The instructor has told me that when she tried to look, all she got was the sharp ones for fighting. And that is not at all what they want for this animal.
Mr. Flappy, as the kids named him, is all about settling himself in the lap of someone wheelchair bound or joining someone in the arena during therapy with the horses. He has even tried to join children on the ponies, much to the dismay of the therapist. He is a well mannered creature and has never intentionally harmed anyone. The expensive dressage saddle on the other hand...almost got him introduced to a soup pot.
His spurs are the problem. It seems as though Mr. Flappy is well aware of those who need a gentle friend and those perfectly capable of grabbing him and trimming his spurs down. His spurs are quite magnificent, and trying to get him to cut them is the difficulty the folks on the farm are facing. They also worry since he just hangs around and is not interested in going in the coop they made, that cutting his spurs down will get him eaten by a predator. One of the riding instructors suggested getting some kind of spur cover for him, that they can put in during lessons and remove after everyone has gone home.
Are there any that are available that people recommend for long term use? Or a style that I could perhaps help them design and put in the rooster? The instructor has told me that when she tried to look, all she got was the sharp ones for fighting. And that is not at all what they want for this animal.
