Meet WhisperCurrent home: EOI, Bend, OR http://equineoutreach.com/
Moving to: Prineville, OR
10/20/2009
Whisper is a big spooky boy in whom I took an interest because someone said to me he was hard to catch. Never one to ignore a challenge I can state without reservation they were right. It took me probably 20 minutes of talking and treats to just touch his muzzle the first time. It got easier and once the lead goes around his neck he has a ‘OK you got me’ attitude and stands still to be haltered but it still takes persistence and treats before he will give that opening.
He’s had some training and apparently has been ridden but he is scared of everything up to and including his own tail. His fear can be easily seen in the picture of him under saddle. He knows something out there is going to have him for breakfast.
Given that he tries to be good. He learns quickly but needs to be worked on a continuous basis. Once a week won’t do for this boy. To that end I am going to foster him for at least 3 months to try to help him overcome his fears and become a saddle horse. The stable where I board my mare ("The Princess" Spice) employs a trainer with an extensive dressage background. I want to have her evaluate him for possible training for low level dressage. His build and gaits seem to me to be perfect for it but I’ll leave it up to the more knowledgeable to determine that course. Right now I’m trying to think of everything I need to do to get ready for him.
I’ve ordered his halter. The Clinton Anderson halter helped immensely with Spice so I’m hoping it will help with some of Whisper’s issues like paying attention and backing up. I have lead ropes – no problem there. I have 2 extra headstalls that may fit him – probably won’t need them for awhile. My saddle has full quarter horse bars and that might work but may have to look into a treeless saddle for him. Might just be the excuse I need to get a Bob Marshall endurance saddle – but not yet. Don’t have a winter blanket that will fit but he wouldn’t be blanketed at EOI anyway. I’ll deal with that when it is a problem.
That takes care of the little stuff. Now the big stuff. Stabling. Not cheap. I’m planning to talk to the owner of the stable and see if she will take a tax write-off for all or some of the fees. There is plenty of unused pasture and I can certainly help restring the tape. After all, it was my horse that destroyed it after the power went out. In her defense it had been out for a couple of months and there was new grass almost within reach on the other side if she could just lean out a little further. You can see where this is going.
The next big thing is huge. Can he be loaded on a trailer; will he haul calmly? I’m hoping EOI has a trailer I can practice with. This entire project will be much easier if the hauling issue is resolved before I try to bring him home.
I’ve ordered his halter. The Clinton Anderson halter helped immensely with Spice so I’m hoping it will help with some of Whisper’s issues like paying attention and backing up. I have lead ropes – no problem there. I have 2 extra headstalls that may fit him – probably won’t need them for awhile. My saddle has full quarter horse bars and that might work but may have to look into a treeless saddle for him. Might just be the excuse I need to get a Bob Marshall endurance saddle – but not yet. Don’t have a winter blanket that will fit but he wouldn’t be blanketed at EOI anyway. I’ll deal with that when it is a problem.
That takes care of the little stuff. Now the big stuff. Stabling. Not cheap. I’m planning to talk to the owner of the stable and see if she will take a tax write-off for all or some of the fees. There is plenty of unused pasture and I can certainly help restring the tape. After all, it was my horse that destroyed it after the power went out. In her defense it had been out for a couple of months and there was new grass almost within reach on the other side if she could just lean out a little further. You can see where this is going.
The next big thing is huge. Can he be loaded on a trailer; will he haul calmly? I’m hoping EOI has a trailer I can practice with. This entire project will be much easier if the hauling issue is resolved before I try to bring him home.
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