Call us crazy, but our latest “horse intervention” is a group of 4 weanlings from the Rock Creek Auction. The four sorrel’s in the picture are ours, while the black filly was purchased by a new friend who lives in Siren. These guys came in as a group of six wild weanlings, and we were able to purchase 4 of them for $10 each. We were told that they were all colts, but soon discovered that one was indeed a little filly.
The only thing we know about their past is that they came in on a truck with several other horses (we watched them being unloaded) that a jockey picked up. So, basically nothing. It’s obvious that they’ve never been handled or provided any types of cares. Three of them are in fair shape, while #549 is terribly thin with every bone showing.
The first night we simply herded them into a stall in the barn with hay and water. We separated the black filly when his owner showed up, but left the other four together hoping to reduce their stress by leaving them together. Any movement on our part was terrifying to them.
The next day we simply herded them out of the barn into a small paddock and offered hay and water again. Then put them in for the evening.
The next day we decided to wrangle #549 and worm him and give him a dose of pro-biotics. We didn’t worm the other ones yet, because 1) we don’t want to stress them out anymore, 2) they are not so dangerously thin, and 3) Jim didn’t want to put his back out wrestling with them. 😉 #549 is fairly docile, and being thin is easier to man-handle. Once he had the halter on, he simply pulled back on the pressure and let us touch him all over and took both the wormer and the pro-biotics like a pro. The kids are teasing that we should call him “Junior Jr.” since he’s so quiet and stubborn. ha-ha!
Within a couple of days it was obvious that #549 was very infested with worms. His feces was thick with large, dead worms. I’m sure he’ll be feeling better soon. We will worm him and everyone else again in a couple weeks time, when it is not quite as stressful. We will attempt to have them used to us and being haltered by that time.
The kids have named the babies Cookie, Dez, Cowboy and Bat-Man. We call Cookie “Cookie the curious!” This little filly is always sticking her nose in something. She just can’t seem to help herself! She just HAS to sniff everything, and everyone. Rae was honored to have the first “kiss” from her; a very special moment given that Rae has claimed her. Cookie seems to be the spoiled one of the bunch. The boys all watch out for her and she is the least concerned of the four.
#549 has been named Bat-Man, via Robensons suggestion. Robensons will be helping me work with him. It’s hard to tell his personality yet as I’m sure he isn’t feeling up to par. He’s by far the tallest, lankiest of the four. He seems to be the boss, but is also very docile.
Cowboy is by far the most timid of the four. Any movement his direction and he’s gone, or hides his head behind one of his siblings if he can’t physically get away.
Dez is coming around. Still not nearly as curious as Cookie, or as accepting of touch as Bat-Man, but he is starting to look at us like we might not be so bad. If we’re slow and quiet, and just sit in the stall with him, he will come to check us out and sniff a bit. Hannah is taking him on as her project. Her quiet personality is going to work well with his timid-ness of humans.
So far we’re simply herding them in and out of the stall in the evenings and mornings. Then we spend some time just being with them. Sitting, observing, talking to them. No agenda other than letting them check us out.
The morning after we brought them home Cookie was the only one comfortable enough to roll, buck and play when we let them out. The others were too concerned about their surroundings. Today, the fifth day home, dad observed them all running around and playing. A good sign. 🙂
The Horses of the LazyJ 