Rocky *new*

[asmo]

Rocky is doing wonderful, he is not as easy to ride as I would have hoped however. He jumps forward a lot and doesnt like to settle into a gait, he always tries to trot when walking or canter when trotting. He is really rough at the trot and canter, but his jog and walk are ok smoothness wise. There is a family in Cove who heard about Rocky and really really want him. I told them he isnt ready to be adopted quite yet, but in a couple months maybe. I told them I would keep them updated.

Rocky is very strong willed, its no wonder hes survived everything...

The farrier came out last Sunday, he says hes been slightly foundered and that he is definately a Thoroughbred. I hit both right on the nose. I mentioned both when I got to evaluate him. He also said the crack in his hind hoof has been stopped and should grow out of it. He has healthy feet otherwise. My farrier is so good for these rescues, hes firm with my young horses (Odessa, she hates anyone but me handling her feet, shes cranky about it) but when hes with the rescues, he is so gentle and just talks to them and calms them down. Its nice to find a farrier who doesnt rush through everything. (we have very few farriers here, so its really hard to find a good one). Anyways, he said hes looking good, and that he looks like he was used as a jumping horse. He showed me some dents on the top of his hooves where he hit a jump. it was identical on both front hooves.

Anyways, I thought I would share some pics. 3 weeks of TLC can do alot.

[j&kw]

He looks wonderful compared to the earlier ones- keep up the good work!

[asmo]

My friend Robert and I went for a 2mile ride, and he rode Rocky. He is used to excersizing local racehorses and he commented on how big of a stride Rocky has. I laughed because I totally agree. Because of his stride and the fact that he is always looking around I dont think he'll make a good begginer begginer horse, but he will be good for some of my 4-H kids I think. I am hoping to just lease him to one of the 4-Hers in my club and just keep him at my house.

On the ride he didnt spook once. He moved away from a burning barrel and side eyed it, but nothing fast, or drastic, he just snuck by it lol. We had a car zoom by us going about 50-55mph on a gravel rd (grrr) and he didnt even blink. He is a typical TB in the fact that once you canter or trot he thinks he gets to continue doing so, so it takes a minute to get him to settle back down into a walk, but he never offered to take off, buck or rear. I have been experiementing with bits to see which hes best with. I rode him in a halter in my round pen and he did fine, he was REALLY disrespectful in the O ring snaffle and was only ok in my level 2 english myler. I am going to try my level 2/3 western myler. Every horse I ride in it, seems to really like that bit best, and I am just going to assume he will be similar. but we'll see. I am going to try and ride him tomarrow when I go home. I will get some pictures for you all

[asmo]

Ok so today I tried him at an 3 sided indoor arena. Union, OR Special lol. Its a nice arena though (for ranchy people). So Robert road his horse and I rode Rocky. I longed him a little bit first just to get him used to the arena, and he (no surprise) was totally paying attention to anyone but me. So I made him move out a little more. After a little bit, I tightened my girth, bridled him (with my s curve curb) and got on. Well he decided to take off at the trot while I was mounting... GRRRR. I jumped off and told him no and made him back up to where he started. I then mounted and made him Park it for a minute or so. Then I let him walk off. he was totally avoiding the bit and kept trying to trot and extend the trot. (when I wanted a walk) and then I noticed my bridle had no chin strap. I must have stripped it and stuck it on a diff bridle. doi! lol once I put it on he was great. I cantered him a lot and he was having a lot of fun. No tripping at all or any repercucions from him being toed in. I let him step over some raised cavaletti and then trot over them, he was having a blast. So then I got him to walk over a trail bridge (he was horrified at first, he thought it was gonna murder him) but he got over it and walked over perfectly after the bobble. and then I saddled him in my english saddle and did some more walking and trotting. He got a good workout but he was enjoying himself. He REALLY settled down after the first 5-10 minutes and was a gentlemen, but that first 5-10 minutes, I was shocked at his behavior. After I unsaddled him I let him free graze with his halter and lead rope with roberts horse while we picked up the trail course. He never tried to run, and when I called his name he picked his head up and waited for me to grab him and load him up. He has great manners, hes just testing his bounds. I didnt grab the camera like I promised, sorry. But Ill get some tomarrow!! I PROMISE!

[asmo]

a lady approached me about Rocky. She saw him his 2nd day here, and fell in love. She is paying his FULL dental and is adopting him for $500. She rode him today with her instructor/friend and they got along WONDERFUL. It is a perfect home. also his teeth are getting done Wed at 1:30...

[horsekrazi]

What a happy ending!

[asmo]

I will post pictures when I get some. He wont be leaving quite yet, I am keeping him another 2-4 weeks for his weight reasons. Hopefully once his teeth are done, he will gain weight quicker.

[asmo]

ok, so Rockys vet appointment went well. He was good for the vet and here is the update:

He is missing 4 teeth, we were able to get a better tell tell age on him, he is 25-30 yrs, the vet said probably 27 or 28yrs old, and he said for that age he seems to be doing quite well. He is definately still thin he weighs 1011lbs and is 15.1 1/2hh. The vet liked him, which is a good sign because he is really picky (but he loves tbs). He agreed with me that he is either full or 1/2 thoroughbred, he leans more towards half, so he is probably an appendix. The bill came to $160.75 but is paid for by his adopter. He said that with good quality alfalfa and senior feed, his weight should pick up pretty quickly now. Rocky doesnt leave leaves or stems of his feed, he just takes a while to eat. But he wont have competition at his new home so he should pick up pretty quick. I am going to keep him for 1-2 more weeka and monitor his weight before taking him to his new home. ill get some pics in a bit, my camera is at my apartment in town, not out here sorry.

[asmo]

Becasehisage turned out to be 27or 28, his new home would like to lease him for 6 months to 1 year, possibly more, and ride him and care for him. Which by then he might be ready to retire, and hopefully we'll have the funds to do that!

[asmo]

ok so updates: I will get some pics this weekend. Rocky refuses to eat more than 1/3 of the stems of his hay. He eats ALL of the leaves so I just give him the leafy stuff and try not to give him the stemy areas (as its a waste of good hay), he gets about 1 1/2 coffee cans of Nutrena Senior Feed morning and Night with MSM twice a day (first week) and weight builder. Once a day he gets horse gaurd, daily dewormer and some treats. I did give him heat soaked beat pulp but he is a master at eating EVERY drop of everything but. I have some picky eaters but jeez he is the pickiest ever. He is not happy about being cooped up but he is really active and in order to get weight on the goob, he cant be as active as he is. He would play with Kola and Odessa and Harli and was losing more weight than he was gaining. grrr >| well anyways, I promise pictures this weekend.

[asmo]

Rocky leaves tomarrow for his foster home... YAY! Another happy horse.

[asmo]

So, Rocky is all settled in and doing good, I didnt get a chance to get pics (sorry) but I promise i will try and get some soon.