Tanner aka Santana

[ericpattymartin]

WOW, another day and night turn around. I remember this guy he looks wonderful great job!

[jellybelly]

Wow he looks fabulous.

[Ali]

Wow! HUGE transformation, Jenny. Great job with him! I'm looking forward to more updates.

[slewgirl]

He looks wonderful......I love his head! gorgeous, lucky boy!

You have done an amazing job!

[jennywho]

So, Tanner FINALLY made it to the arena this weekend. I had been putting it off because there are a lot of surface changes and a long narrow pathway that we were going to have to navigate and I had no idea how he would react. Since mom was here for the weekend, she got to play back up. Turns out my worries were unnecessary. Tanner made the long walk without incident, looked at the "hallway" for a few minutes and then ventured into the arena. He spent a lot of time exploring with a good long roll and a few bucks for good measure.

THEN it was time to go home. This is when my timing gets bad. The barn is on a frontage rd that connects the town of Vantage with Getty's Cove and another State Park. These are three of the main camping spots for concert goers at the gorge. Labor day weekend is Dave Matthews mayhem. So, Tanner and I are peacefully walking back to the barn when carload of drunk concert revelers flies into the drive and proceeds with a chinese fire drill. Tanner, who is still terrified of strangers, has NEVER SEEN A CHINESE FIRE DRILL PERFORMED BY DRUNKS. Actually he was pretty good, one big jump in the air and a few crazy circles around me and we made it back to the barn in one piece. Overall he was a good boy and it was a great experience for him. I did see my life flash in front of my eyes for a brief moment however.

[safehorses]

LOL...Jennywho, I would have been SCARED if that had been me! What a good boy Tanner was by not completely flipping out. Now he knows what a drunken fool looks like.

[jennywho]

So I have a problem. Tanner has a new friend. It's small, and fuzzy and black and white striped AND IT HAS SPRAYED HIM TWICE THIS WEEK.

The first time was early this week and it didn't get him too bad, just slightly smelly. At first I wasn't sure it was him, but a close sniff and for sure he had been sprayed. Today he REEKS. He is so skunky I can hardly stand to walk in the barn. I tried putting him in the arena in hopes that rolling would help mask it, but no such luck. He's not the first horse I've had that's been skunked so I know the smell will go away, but I am worried that he didn't learn a lesson the first time.

Never a dull moment anyways.

[asmo]

lol thats hilarious! Is your shampoo and conditioner really REALLY strong fruity smelling? If so take it and mix 1/8-1/4cup shampoo 1/4-1/3cup conditioner and 2cups(or more) water in a spray bottle. Shake it really really good and spray him ALL OVER, just DOUSE him in it, FIRST though, give him a quick bath with a clothes pin on your nose and then DOUSE him with that remedy. The strawberry vo5 or herbal essence is the best. (my friend does this and uses it as a conditioner for his horses coat. I can smell poor lucky boy all the way across an arena, but his coat is dang healthy, i dont know how it works, but it does!!!)

[cat67]

LOL! That's so funny. I have a skunk family living around the house I'm in now...sometimes I have to proceed very, very cautiously up to my porch...don't want to get blasted!

[jennywho]

Tanner and the skunk pretty much have an ongoing relationship these days. He s so funny because he loves to be itched, but if he smells my hand after I 've itched him he will curl his lip and act offended. Hello, you are the one that stinks. The goofball.

It is with much sadness that I have decided to try to rehome Tanner. I was so excited to get him in hopes of having a riding horse of my own, but reality has shown me that a "me" horse will always come last and at this point in my life I just don't have the time that he deserves and requires. If this is inappropriate for this board please delete, but if anyone knows of an EXPERIENCED horseperson looking for an awesome project horse please have them get in touch with me. He leads, is so so on his very good feet, roundpens, ties, stands to be groomed, etc. He is extremely athletic and a very quick learner with tons of personality. He is NOT in danger of the truck coming or going to auction or anything like that. He will be well cared for and get as much attention/training as my time allows until I find the PERFECT home for him. It just saddens me to no end that he wants attention and work to do so badly and I just can't give him the best of what he needs. Anyways, he is NOT a beginners/childs horse or even a good first project horse, but I know he will make a good horse for any discipline.

My other problem is that he is a VERY EASY KEEPER and I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FEED AN AIR FERN. If they don't require at least 8lbs of grain a day and constant hay I don't know what to do. Obviously as he is rivaling the butterball turkey in the roundness department at this time.

[fototropic]

I just read Tanner's thread. I am so very happy that he is safe. When I read on the board that he was to be shipped with no chance to be adopted; I freaked. I appreciate your willingness to do what is best for Tanner even if it is to rehome him. I'll keep him in my prayers that he finds the perfect home for him. Do you think he might have a future as a dressage or event horse?
Pam

[fototropic]

I know it's a total shot in the dark, but might you be willing to consider sending Tanner to Easthampton, Long Island to Christine? She's shipping 4 or 5 horses she just rescued from the feedlot. Tanner is the quintessential TB sporthorse type that us northeast types drool over. I'm sure he would find a wonderful home from there. I'll try to find the link to her website and post it.
Pam

Edited to add the link: www.forrascal.com/

[fototropic]

So, since there hasn't been any reply, I'm guessing the answer is no.
Pam

[cardicorgi]

fototropic - jennywho doesn't get to the board every day; she might not have seen this...

[jennywho]

Pam,

Thank you so much for understanding my decision to rehome Tanner. You are a vital part of Tanner's life even if you two haven't met.

I am sorry I hadn't seen your question. I think that Tanner has the athletic ability and desire to do anything. He doesn't have that classic upper level dressage horse build, but he for sure could do up to Prix St. Georges and maybe further. He has a goregous trot and TONS of natural impulsion. I am not as schooled in hunter/jumper/event, but I could easily see him doing mid level courses at least.

If the gal back East has your approval I would be more than willing to send him back to her as long as she signed something to the effect that he would always be in a safe place (I would have to find some kind of contract).

In all honesty I haven't even begun to advertise him as I am having a really hard time with it, even though I know that he deserves a life where he has a job.

He gets so excited whenever I do have the quality time to work with him. He tries so hard and he loves to do new things. Although he's a bit lazy right now. We're trying to decide which comes first, being fat or being lazy. LOL.

We hit a major milestone last night. I was brushing him and working with his feet and he finally figured out that he is supposed to pick his feet up and let me hold them up instead of just putting them right back down. He is blessed with awesome feet so although my farrier has worked with him some, we haven't needed to do a major trim yet. It will be much easier though now that the light has finally turned on.

Pam, if you PM me with your email addy, I can answer any other questions you have.