BUBBLES 1 yo 1/2 Saddlebred 1/2 Standardbred filly

[cardicorgi]

“Bubbles” is a black ½ Saddlebred/ ½ Standardbred yearling filly located in Monroe, WA. She has not been handled much in her life. She is currently at a barn where she is learning to lead and pick up her feet for farrier work; she will move to a foster home thereafter. She is currently at about 14.2, although we have not measured her with a stick yet. She is going to be tall.

She is in good shape, although her hooves need to be trimmed. She is UTD on vaccinations and deworming. She is a very nice mover, and learns quickly. She has a good mind and isn’t particularly reactive.

Her owner (who sprung Bubbles’ dam from a bad situation, not knowing her dam was pregnant with Bubbles) has had a series of misfortunes which keep her from being physically able to work with Bubbles, and require her to downsize. She surrendered Bubbles to SAFE.

Sound Equine Options, a 501c3 veterinary-based equine group in the Portland area, is generously donating her vaccinations and some routine vet care for Bubbles while she is with SAFE. They have also supported SAFE by hauling Bubbles (no small feat), finding a good foster home, and by working with Bubbles to teach her to lead and pick up her feet. We are very grateful for their support; without them, we would not have undertaken any rescue work in the Portland area.

Meet Bubbles!:

1 month ago:

[cardicorgi]

The day she was moved to the barn (that is her dam, Surrey, in the stall with her).

[Angel62197]

She looks like a darling! Seems so light and effervescent (sp?)... I rather like the name Bubbles for her.

[cardicorgi]

Pictures from this weekend.

[fototropic]

Wow! Just, wow! She's lovely. I've heard that Standardbreds can have some potential in dressage due to their powerful hindquarters and big movement. I know my Standardbred gelding has a trot to die for. The combination of Saddlebred and Standardbred has certainly produced a nice filly. I'd love to see what her gaits are like.

[cardicorgi]

She is coming along - she's now comfortable with being touched all over although is nervous about being touched around her flank, leads passably well (though she will crowd into your space if she's frightened), and will pick her feet up via cuing her by squeezing her chestnuts, tendon, or point of hock.

She's very interested in humans, and loves to have her neck and poll scratched.

She demonstrated a bit of attitude the other day when she tried to pounce on a trailing lead rope as we walked around the arena.

She isn't particularly mouthy; we have not been hand-feeding her. Instead, she gets carrots in her bucket.

[fullcirclerescue]

She is beautiful!!

[cardicorgi]

Last night, Stacy Riggs (a pro trainer in the Portland area) generously donated her time and skills and worked with Bubbles on giving to pressure, backing, yielding, dropping her head, getting more comfortable with handling her poll, and picking up her feet. We are very grateful to her for her help.

Bubbles was a pretty decent student and Stacy pronounced her "smart."

I will get some pictures up tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Stacy Riggs (Riggs Training, in Oregon), Ashley Knoke, and Jodi Koch have formed a rescue in the Portland area called Full Circle Equine Rescue - fullcircleequine.proboards.com/index.cgi We have no doubt that they are an excellent and responsible addition to the rescue world.

[fullcirclerescue]

Cardicorgi,

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to work with Bubbles. Stacey and Jodi both reported what a nice horse she is. We are so glad that we could help out SAFE in any way. ;D

Ashley
FCER

[cardicorgi]

Forgive the bad pictures (problems with the camera). Nonetheless, here are Bubbles and Stacy:

Bubbles showing her adrenaline junkie neck posture:


Alert mode:




Relaxed after lots of petting/touching on her poll and around her ears:


Giving to low steady pressure, and a bit more relaxed:

[riggstraining]

Jenny,

It was wonderful to meet you and bubble's the other night. Bubbles has a great personality. She is smart, kind, responsive, and willing. She is also extremely elegant. Bubbles is going to make someone a stunning and loyal partner.

Please let me know if you need any more help with her.

Stacey Riggs

[cardicorgi]

Hi Stacey! Thanks again, and thank you for your kind offer.

Bubbles got her first trim yesterday.

She received a cocktail (sedation) donated and administered by Columbia Equine/SEO (thank you Dr. Zuver and Kim, who also provided her physical support) - while she's made progress with picking up her feet, she needed a trim badly. Katy Clark gave Bubbles her first trim and did a nice job. She reports that Bubbles has good feet, that she had one wee flair on her L hind which she corrected, and that she had a case of mild thrush, which we will obviously medicate.

(Katy's website: http://www.barefeetbykaty.com)

Here's a photo of our very sleepy little girl, and some of her team.

[cardicorgi]

We are putting Bubbles in training for 2-4 weeks so she can get more solid for the farrier and more solid in general; Stacey will work with her more on giving to pressure, leading (though Bubbles is very good, she still wants to crowd you if she's nervous), fly spray, bathing, and all the things a well-mannered yearling should know.

Bubbles' foster home will also take a few lessons with Stacey and Bubbles so they are all on the same program, so to speak.

She is great at haltering now - she'll lower her head and stick her nose right in. She's also pretty good about backing up with a finger wiggle.

She's now seen donkeys, pigs, agility dogs, heavy construction equipment, and the goings on of a busy barn.

A few recent pictures of Bubbles. She's looking very liver-chestnut to me.

[fullcirclerescue]

I can't wait to meet Miss Bubbles!!! I get to see her today at the barn! Yay Bubbles!

[Kea's Crest]

What a pretty girl she is.