Reginald is doing well with his training/handling and we are very proud of him. 

Thanks to our supporters, we are able to start from the beginning with ground work, etc. for Reginald.  We don't know how long we will be able to afford for him and WILEY to be working with the trainer, but we will go as long as we can.  Both horses have a lot of homework to do though. 

He was really good for the farrier this time and we got all 4 of his feet trimmed.  Hadn't been able to do his hind feet previously.

Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of Badger's training session as my camera was full after using it to record OTIS's training session.

Travis encountered a nervous distrusting and reactive soul when he did Badger's evaluation. He spent a long time with this boy and by the end of the session he was much more relaxed. He will need substantial ground work training & trust building. We hope to be able to send him for these vital tools in his foundation sometime in the fall.  Before then, we need to have his teeth done as he does have some hooks, etc.

TRAVIS' Assesment of Badger: Catching: right away Sug was apprehensive when I entered his pen. He was very unsure of me and seemed scared. He took a while to catch. Ground Manners: I was able to pick up all Sug's feet with some effort. He had a high degree of tightness and anxiety. I could tough his head, ears, and mouth. Leading: Sug did lead well with very little effort. Sug could do basic ground work movements but was very jumpy and had a nervous attitude. Scary objects: was scared of flag, rope, and stick and string.

Not to sure he was ever introduced to these objects. Round Penning: was hard to keep going when round penning especially at the lope. Did not want to come in to join up or hook on. Hard to catch again when let off lead. Overall horse was not mean but scared to the point of being dangerous.

The horse is put together well and looked to have good composition. Great breeding. I would recommend that the horse be place in full time training for 4 to 6 months. Very athletic. Needs lots of love and attention.

Chiropractor Dawn Fletcher and her husband Thad came out and spent a long time with Badger.  A couple days later we had Travis Johnson come out to evaluate him.

Badger is a pretty nervous/untrusting boy.  Dawn & Thad took their time with him and unlocked a few areas that were in need of release.  Thad spent most of the time just building trust with him which helped him quite a lot.  Thank you Thad and Dawn.

Travis also encountered a nervous distrusting soul when he did his evaluation.  He spent a long time with this boy and by the end of the session he was much more relaxed.  He will need substantial ground work training & trust building.  We hope to be able to send him for these vital tools in his foundation sometime in the fall. 

He isn't a mean horse at all.  He just doesn't know what to expect and has a high startle reflex.  We have no history on him, so it could be that he was handled roughly and also his bloodlines have cutting horses that are quick, fast and reactive.

We are VERY grateful to have these professionals. These folks are people who deeply care about the horses they work with and focus on helping them to become the best they can be.

Badger arrived with Jethro from the ship/kill pens in Texas.  He had quarter cracks in both front feet that were scarey!  His feet were trimmed while he was in Quarantine and our farrier trimmed him a bit after his arrival.  He is doing well.  VERY head shy and a bit nervous, but we will work with him on that stuff.

Picture from today:

Thanks to our awesome supporters and an anonymous donor who offered to pay his bail, transport to Quarentine and partial Quarantine costs, Sugs Lil Badger is safe!  His feet were in bad shape with quarter cracks on both front hooves.  QT facility had their farrier out to help his feet and they are doing much better.  We will be keeping an eye on this!