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View Full Version : Abandoned horse... he's mine now. *Apollo's Story*


Cheesmnky
10-17-2008, 02:05 PM
Hey guys! once again, thanks to WB for creating this forum. I missed everyone!

So I made a tough decision back in July. I had been making payments on a horse that I really wasn't in love with. His total price would have been 6,500 bucks and I was paying $150 a month just towards his total price. (He was that much because he's quite a talented jumper). He's a spooky bugger- and very moody. Some days, he'd be wonderful- you could do ANYTHING on him, he'd be very responsive, and jsut a pleasure to ride. other times- forget it. He'd spook at nothing- and when he spooks, he drops his shoulder and runs. Just basically a brat. I thought maybe his eyesight- that was fine. Vet checked fine- just basically a very mood, unpredictable horse. In the winter- he was absolutely awful.

Either way, paying that much money for a horse you ADORE in this economy is a little crazy for someone who isn't planning on showing. I gave him up. Not long after that, a friend called to tell me about a horse being auctioned. I called to get the info on him:
An 8 year old 3/4 Paint, 1/4 Quarter horse(black) was abandoned at his boarding facility. After being there a few months, with the owners not paying board or coming by at all, he injured himself. STILL no answer from the owners- in fact, they had their phone disconnected. Ad in the paper for 10 days, then legally the barn owner could sell him. They sold him to me for the price of the vet bills: $350.

So... I have a supposed broke horse, who was abandoned(his former owners were apparently idiots too, would rake the bit over his teeth, etc). I've been riding him slowly, but also trying to heal his wound.

It's a about an 8 inch long gash on his left hip- Most of it was able to be stitched up, but there is a two inch section that was too gaping to do. We've been cleaning it and putting medicine on it every day, and a month and a half later- it looks great.

I've been on him a few times, more doing round pinning and ground work to make sure he respects me. He's a great guy- sensitive but trusting. One problem.... He won't pick up his foot on the injured side. I noticed about a two inch scar on the front of his knee on the same leg. He will let me pull it forward, but I cannot take it back at all. When he moves- it's not exaggerated unless i've been working him a long time. meaning- even at the trot, he moves just fine.

Any thoughts? I'm having the chiro out to see him soon...

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/julie.arnold/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/apolloeating.jpgI'll get pics up soon... i have to upload them somewhere. :)

Cheesmnky
10-17-2008, 02:06 PM
Here are pics. :)

mustangluver
10-17-2008, 02:09 PM
OMG what a cutie, he has a very pleasant face!
Good luck with him and that wound looks like its doing good!

Cheesmnky
10-17-2008, 02:13 PM
When I was thinking of possibly changing his name, we were thinking about flag themes because his funky blaze looks like a flag :) He is very kind, and will follow me anywhere. he's the first horse I've ever known to whinny when he sees me :)

lovesfortune
10-17-2008, 02:23 PM
Aw, it was meant to be. How great is that that he whinnies when he sees you!

Equine_Woman
10-17-2008, 02:23 PM
Awww!!! A horse that you rescue often loves you faster and harder than a horse coming from a good situation!!! I bet you guys bond VERY quickly!!!!! As for the leg I would have the vet look at it and make sure there isn't a physical problem. If that's ruled out it's likely training or psychological. Take it slow and I bet you get him picking his feet up for you all on his own!

IrisGreen
10-17-2008, 02:34 PM
I love his face!! What a cutie!! heehhee I think that crooked blaze is just too cute. lol Sorry, I can't offer any help with the wound or the stiff leg. I think the vet and slowly working on picking up the leg will give you more insight to what is causing it, be it pain or just him remembering when it did hurt and not wanting anyone to mess with it.

He sure is a cutie! That's great that he whinnys at you already. Muffin only whinnys at me and not at other horses...I guess he think I am the only one that speaks his language? lol

livaward
10-17-2008, 02:41 PM
He is a cutie!

mandisue
10-17-2008, 02:41 PM
HE is a cutie!!!! looks adorable. Not sure what to tell you on the leg thing. Have you talked with the vet who worked on him before you got him? Could it be stemming from the hip injury?

rather-b-riding
10-17-2008, 02:46 PM
I was going to suggest something similar to what equine woman said..the pain could be "memory" pain....it hurt him in the past so he remembers that and is anticipating it will hurt him if he moves it a certain way etc...just take it slow , work on the trust (like I know you've been doing) and keep up the good work ...groundwork is so important imo and so many people don't ever bother with it at all :( so good job!!
He sure is a handsome guy! best of luck with him!

Vegashorselady
10-17-2008, 02:48 PM
He's a cutie, I hope he turns out to be a good horse for you! I just took on an abondoned horse too. I think we'll see more and more of this happen with the economy he way it is.
So, what names have you come up with? His blaze does kind of look like a fat flag pole with a flag flying from it. What about Banner? or Bandera (spanish for flag)?

WashingtonBay
10-17-2008, 02:51 PM
Congratulations and good luck with him! He needed you, I'm glad you found him and I hope it works out for the best!

zoel_222
10-17-2008, 04:35 PM
Aw he's a cutie. How could anyone abandon that! Good for you for taking him!

GrungeEquestrian
10-17-2008, 04:49 PM
what a gorgeous boy! You did a wonderful thing for him, and I am sure he will become a great horse good luck!

vicklynn
10-17-2008, 04:58 PM
He sure is a cutie. I cant offer advise on the wound, but your doing a great job.
Hope to see more stories on him.

Gypsy Rose
10-17-2008, 05:03 PM
Looks like a sweet guy! Glad he found a home with you.

Vibe
10-17-2008, 05:10 PM
Aww what a cute guy!!

SedonaThunder
10-17-2008, 05:11 PM
Ahhh - what a wonderful story... I'd say it was meant to be! I love that adorable face of his and I'm sure with time you will have him all healed up - good idea on the chiropractor, I'll look forward to hearing what he has to say. Congratulations!

shewasmyshadow
10-17-2008, 06:06 PM
I was thinking (sorry if someone said this already) to give him a dose of bute and then see if he'll pick up his leg. That would rule out the pain thing, wouldn't it? I guess maybe not if it is memory pain.

Cat
10-17-2008, 07:14 PM
What a cutie! Good luck with him!

Remali
10-17-2008, 08:07 PM
Awww is he ever pretty....it was meant to be!! I'm glad he found you, and you found him!!

valleyrider
10-17-2008, 10:42 PM
He is a cutie, good luck with him,, My Bones was a rescue, he bonded and trusted me faster than any horse I had. Just keep showing him the love and attention he did not get and he will be your best friend for ever.:)

Chavhorse
10-17-2008, 11:41 PM
I would double check with the vet to ensure there is no physical problem but my guess would be memory pain.

One of my horses had a huge lump of calcified bone on his fetlock and was very sensitive about picking it up....Go slowly and you will get there...I discovered with Challenger that you had to pick the foot up halfway then pull it back and then up and he was fine.

Steelhorserider
10-18-2008, 12:27 AM
Congrats.....I love his facial markings....he is quite eyecatching.

magayle
10-18-2008, 01:56 AM
what a great story....so happy you found each other:)

lisakaye
10-18-2008, 06:47 AM
He is a beauty and good luck. I am sure he will heal as the time goes on. You are doing a great job with him.

Cheesmnky
10-19-2008, 06:14 PM
Thanks guys- He lets me pull his leg forward, but he just won't cock it up lift it up backwards. I think it still hurts a bit, so I'm doing massage with him too. He iwll let me pick his other feet without being tied to anything- he really trusts me a lot. He joined up with me the first day I had for in less than 5 minutes. he was following me around- nose to shoulder. :) Loved that...

I am going to try bute, and also wait till the chiro. He's about due to get his feet trimmed- I'm very nervous about that!! I hope my farrier doesn't give up on him!!! I started with just asking him to move that leg when I asked, and praised him. Now I'm asking him to lift it and move it forward for praise. I"ll try to lift it and take it back and that's when he starts to really pull against me.

Trial and error with this one- although almost everything new I've asked of him, he's responded 100 times better than I thought he would. :) We'll see


Thanks for all of the encouragement! You guys are so wonderful. :) <3<3