08/25/2025
🌟🌟FFI ALUMNI UPDATE🌟🌟
Lookingoodinatux hit the jackpot with his adopter Lindsay!! From his adopter:
“In the beginning of 2024, I started to consider finding a second horse since my mare is getting up there in age and nearing retirement at the age of 32. Although she is still very spunky, her age is really starting to show. I decided to take a trip down to equine affaire in April 2024 hoping to learn some new things to do with older horses like mine and while my best friend and I explored we stumbled upon the adoption affair. My best friend doesn't have her own horse so we decided to take a peak at what was there, and as we wandered the aisles seeing many possible prosepcts, Tux caught my eye and I immediately thought "my husband is going to kill me if i bring home another horse, but lets go look". He had just been unloaded and barely made it to his stall when Lori looked at me and said "You look like you know how to horse. Would you like to brush him?" I jumped at the oppurtunity to spend some time with this gentle giant. It always seemed cliche when people said "you'll know your horse when you see it" but as Tux leaned into me while grooming him, I knew he was coming home. I remember looking at my best friend and asking "should I bring him home?" And she replied "if you dont, I will" so that was that, he was coming home. I was unable to do a trial ride but after lunging him and walking around with him a bit I had confidence we would be perfectly fine once I got him home. In a show setting with a million things going on, although a little high strung which is expected, he handled the atmosphere quite well and seemed to calm down once in a stall. I spent the next few days at the show just hanging out with him in his stall and getting to know him which solidified my choice even more. He had such a loving and calm demeanor despite the thousands of people parading through the aisles trying to pet him through the bars. I'm not going to lie, I told everyone that passed by asking about him that he was my horse and going home before the papers were even final. I had always wanted a large trail horse and I finally found him. On April 12th 2024 I loaded him on a trailer bound for home. I spent the last day at the show shopping like crazy for all new things for this boy, I was so excited to get home I couldn't contain myself and spent way to much on new gear for him.
I commend Friends of Ferdinand for handling their adoptions the way they do. They truly want the best for these horses offering a 30 day trial and a year contract that you can’t sell the horse which is my favorite part simply because you see too many horses given up on after just a few months and then sold to the next person.
About a week after he arrived at home I decided to saddle up with a friend to see how he was on the trails and he acted like he'd known the property his whole life. He even showed me how he knows to open up gates to get to the trails so I don't have to dismount which is awesome with him being so incredibly tall! I was beyond happy with how he had adapted to his new home already, no jitters, no spooks, just calm and collected for the 4 mile loop. About a week after our trail riding experience I asked Tux to trot over an extremely low rail and he soared over it like he had wings which resulted in me being tossed for the first time and let me tell you, falling from that high up shook me hard for a few weeks so we went back to ground work.
About 2 months in we introduced him into my ladies night groups where we try new challenges and diciplines with our horses each week and he did wonderfully in a group setting. He was nick named "ducky" for his goofball personality after he took it upon himself to rearrange an entire obstacle course and had us laughing all night long. He let me check night riding off my bucket list, we were both dressed up in glow sticks head to toe and had an absolute blast in the dark.
Over the summer we had some issues with Tux refusing to leave the barn and hit the trails away from his new pasture mates. He would back up instead of moving forward, turn in circles and for a while I was feeling really defeated but had to remind myself that he is still new to me and what I am asking him to do. I knew these would be hard habits to break, so I decided to try something different. Some friends and I decided to go ride off property at a place called Sand Lake, where Tux had all the confidence in the world and led the pack all the way to the lake. I quickly figured out that Tux is part fish as he went charging into the water like he was going to swim me across the lake, good thing I brought extra boots. We have had a very trying first year figuring each other out, I've taken a few flying lessons along the way unexpectedly, but he's taught me as much as I've taught him so far. The last time I fell was no fault of his own, ice had fallen off the barn roof in November unexpectedly and he spun and I went down. It was that fall that taught me we had a great bond because while laying in the dirt, that horse walked right over to me to make sure I was ok and didnt leave my side. As soon as I got up he pressed his head into me as if to say "Im sorry." He doesnt fit the normal Thoroughbred sterotype of being hot headed, he is a total sweetheart. The way I describe Tux to my friends is like having a giant dog. He's always at the fence when he hears me at the barn, follows me everywhere with no lead, very treat motivated so he gets spoiled like crazy but will do anything I ask as long as treats are involved. He also loves to knock over drinks of any kind, he's made a game out of it honestly which I find hilarious.
Tux also has a soft spot for my 2 year old daughter, Kenna. I have never seen such a large horse be so gentle. As soon as he hears her voice, I don't exist and it's Kenna time. She feeds him treats, helps groom and has even walked him out to pasture a few times which melts my heart. Watching this big horse take one step to her 10 and wait for her to catch up is the cutest thing I have ever witnessed.
My favorite part of the day is going to see him. No matter what kind of day I'm having he always makes it better. On bad days he lets me hug him and sad days he will hug me back. He has a cute quirk for pretty much anything that happens. All the girls at the barn love him, he's been called the handsome hunk almost daily. I'm confident one of them would steal him for themselves if given the option.
Our journey has just begun, but I am beyond blessed to have found this big gentle giant. I would like to thank Friends of Ferdinand for being so thorough, keeping up with us online over this past year and giving me the chance to give this boy an amazing life.”
Thank you Lindsay for loving Tux!! It makes our hearts so happy to see and hear these success stories.
Are you looking for your next partner? We have several available that are ready for their person. To get the process started complete an adoption application today!
https://friendsofferdinand.com/pages/adoption-application
