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JD
#173.
Chestnut TB type gelding.
Star. Appx. 16.1 hands. Appx. 10 yrs.
old. This horse rides hot. He jumps very well on a lunge line, but
has been jumped
extensively and is soured on jumping. He would require an
experienced rider
that does not intend to jump him any more. Enough is enough.
Tattoo is T18730.
7-28-00
He is home ! It turns out it is more of a 4 hour drive, plus we
did hit traffic, so we got in around 1000pm. Then I hung around
until he drank some water (he was eating fine, but wasn't sure
about the new water). He is incredibly sweet, and let me touch
and pet him as he was eating without even batting an eye. We were
kicking around a couple of names and I will let you know when
we finally settle ( Tonka, as in Tonka Truck, Rhythm, or Vandal?).
He loaded fine with a little coaxing and trailered great (after
an initial couple of kicks that I thought for sure would be the
end of the trailer). I will update you more later. I just thought
I would let you know that he is home safe and sound!
Update 7-30-00
- Well, here is a pic of JD, formerly # 173. The farrier comes
out to look at his feet today, and if I can work it out his teeth
will be done tomorrow. He is really sore at the site of an burst
abscess so the farrier may put pads on him (I just want to make
him comfy, he acts like his front feet bother him) He is the sweetest
guy and I'm going to turn him and Musty out together this evening
to see how they get along. He is such a good boy!
Update
8/28/00 - I just popped by to give an update on JD. His abscess
has healed up quite well and he has a beautiful stride at the
walk. Him and Mustang are getting along fine, but to tell you
the truth, JD he has found a soul mate in a friends quarter horse
gelding (he comes over on the weekends for trail rides with Musty,
and lets JD eat hay right out of his mouth). JD still has a pad
on the hoof with the abscess so that rocks and such don't aggravate
it. My dad has been taking him for walks in the evening (in hand),
he has such a big stride that he makes a perfect walking partner
and really sets the pace. He is really sour about anything having
to do with being ridden. Last week I put a bit (D-ring eggbutt
snaffle) in his mouth and he was fine, but when it came to the
saddle he hated it. He doesn't do anything really bad just lays
back his ears and grinds his teeth (he threatens to bit but isn't
really serious about it). On sunday I rode him a little bit. I'm
trying to go really slow and get him to enjoy being ridden again.
We walked around for about ten minutes and then we called it a
day. He really wanted to go faster, but was very responsive to
hand and seat cues, and will do patterns off of your seat on a
loose rein. I will work on getting more pictures.
Update
9/10/00 - JD is doing great. He is perfectly sound now, and will
follow you around the turnout like a lost puppy dog. I have lunged
him a little bit and he is really settling in to what I want.
He is calming down and after a few initial (heartless) bucks he
calms down. I still haven't really asked him for much because
we are just working on teaching him to like being worked with.
He is so good on the ground that his behavior when being saddled
and mounted is puzzling (though it is improving). Musty has completely
stopped pacing and is getting really fat. I know I promised pictures
but I keep forgetting to bring my camera. Next time, I promise!
Update
8/7/03 - This picture is of him last summer. I have some recent
ones of him but none of them turned out as clear as this one (he
is out in pasture and I have as cheap digital camera, I was trying
to get some good pictures of him munching on the knee high grass
to no avail).
We've been having a lot of fun. He does not get worked on a regular
basis. He is boarded about 30 minutes away, which is inconvenient
for me (I have a rather busy schedule for the next year or so),
but he is having a blast. He has a 5 acre irrigated pasture (green
year round) and is maintaining weight well. It's pretty surprising.
When he was on a dry lot or in a stall he had free choice hay
and you had to constantly be supplementing him with grain and
high energy/fat feed to keep any weight on him. Now he is looking
better then he did then on just fresh grass. I guess there is
no substitute for good pasture when available.
I've ridden him a bit. Saddle fit is a challenge and he is quick
to let you know if he feels it is an improper fit I've been putzing
around BAREBACK! This is big for us. He is a very sensitive horse,
but has actually done better because he is not concerned about
the saddle. That is if I don't get scared and bale at his silly
little spooks, etc.
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