He arrived on a warm Wednesday morning - November 21st to be exact - and he caught his first glimpse of four lunatic zebra looking things. That first look was enough to send him flying back up the paddock toward the driver who'd dropped him off. However he soon overcame his fear and was chatting with the Fjords over the fence! He soon went out into a more private paddock to settle in.
Meeting Gus
Checking out his new digs
Two weeks later and he had settled in well, chatting with the Fjords over the fence as frequently as possible. He was eating well and even flipping his tyre feeder when he thought he hadn't gotten enough. Riggs also received his first bath and was a very good sport about it (even when he stole the hose while drinking out of it) and he was an even better sport when I removed all the knots from his mane. On December 1st I also *attempted* to ride him for the first time. The ride ended in a very convincing bucking bronc display that included much spinning around, bucking, rearing and pig rooting. Once all four feet started leaving the ground the saddle turned into an ejection seat, a stirrup came clean off and I went past his shoulder hand first fracturing my scaphoid (don't worry, I hadn't heard of it either... apparently it's a carpal bone under your bone). Riggs was then turned out with Gus for the first time and they had a merry time cantering around the paddock together. He also gave a secondary bronc display (someone is super keen for the rodeo!!). His bowed leg pulled up really well from the hi jinks, so he'd be getting lunged after that display from that point on!
Looking smart after his bath
Looking smart and sexy all saddled up
Running with Gus
A taste of the bronc act... This photo taken with my broken hand ;)
Another two weeks passed and he had his first visit from the farrier (Saturday just gone)! She liked him a lot and was happy with the condition of his hooves. She also commented on how he walked, flicking his toes out and putting his heel down first indicating no hoof soreness at all! So very good news indeed. He was also so good about the trim!! He didn't move at all - quiet enough for me to hold with my fractured wrist. He's the most perfect gentleman on the ground. He's also started lunging last weekend and the weekend before and happily remembers exactly how to do so. He thought we were truly awful people putting his bridle on and making him trot in circles... much lip flapping and head tossing was done.
This week, one month into his new home he met the two retired standardbreds on a neighbouring property and he is absolutely in love with these mares. My aunt tells me he spends his day chatting. Yesterday he refused to come in for dinner (and he loves his food!) and had to be caught as part of being convinced and this morning he rejected breakfast altogether! Unbelievable. It must be comforting though to see horses that look much more like the racehorses he'd been around for around eight years - I can see how the Fjords would be a huge culture shock! Happily though, he didn't need much convincing to come eat his dinner tonight.
Overall, he's settled in really, really well. He prefers being out with the Fjords to being on his own (his head is down grazing far more often) and he's super sociable with people. He comes up to the gate when he sees you, loves his carrots, pulls faces at meal times and even blows the occasional raspberry. He's so gentle and polite that I can't believe he threw me! I can't wait for my wrist to heal so that our next month can be even better!
Fantastic news that he is settling in well and getting very friendly with his fellow inmates. SO much so that the ladies are putting him off his food ;-)
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear that he is such a gentleman on the ground - he sounds like a real pet to handle and a right character with his facial antics and hose drinking.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and a wonderful return to the saddle when you're all healed up!