My Little Hero: The Magic of Adoption

28/02/2023

Hero tried out his blinkers today. These are so much nicer for him. He can wear any bridle over them and he still gets the security of having a focal point. He also completed his 2nd big kid ride from the barn all the way to the house… but this time it was in the pouring rain and hail… in a tornado warning/watch. I was halfway home when James comes looking for me… sees me soaked… plodding along… shakes his head. Then when I make it home he just looks at me as I’m grinning ear to ear and says I need psychiatric treatment… I’m sure Hero was thinking the same thing as we were being pelted with rain. However, he did as I asked, with no real complaint. He was brave and surefooted. He paused a couple times and continued when I asked. These blinkers are such a game changer and I’m loving every minute of it.
Maybe taking this long wasn’t what others would do… I know what many think… but that doesn’t matter. What matters is Hero is safe, he is learning, and he is steadily improving. I love him and he has his home here. So he and I can take the time it takes. I have patience. He has been showing me the rewards of being patient with him. we will continue to grow together.
Sorry no pics of the torrential downpour ride we went through🤣 James said it was raining so hard he couldn’t get his camera to focus 🤣🤣🤣.

02/11/2022

Hero has grown up so much in the past few months. He has traded in his light weight kiddie saddle with minimal gear… for a heavy duty ranch saddle that has all the extras, he’s trading those burrs and lack of responsibility for braids and a job. We’ve had a long journey so far… just setting the foundation and making sure it’s solid. Slow and steady we will win our race.

29/03/2022

After ups downs twists and turns… numerous obstacles in our path… need for time on hero’s part… need for time on my part… lots of stopping, starting back up, short bursts of progression, seemingly endless turn out and time to process. So many steps forward and even more steps backwards. It has all added up finally to this past weekend. I pulled hero out of the field, from a multi month break, to join in the c**t starting/spring tune up that was going on at the ranch. I had another horse I was taking through as my primary project, but I would work with hero during the breaks and on the side. Straight out of the field hero remembered his ground work flawlessly. Right, left, stop, go WTC, even side passes. I thought ok cool! No tuning needed in that regard. Now onto the hard part… at least what’s always been an issue in the past. Saddling and preparation for mounting. Hero stood like a rock for saddling, walked out cool as a cucumber. After a break like that he would have normally blown up worked through it and then calmed down. He stood perfectly each day as I saddled and unsaddled him. So then next up is attempting getting on… after all my tricks and crazy shenanigans trying to see if he will react adversely and him standing beautifully, I finally put my foot in the stirrup and held my breath. I hopped three times, swung my leg over, and pet him. He was so calm and secure. I did this a few more times and called it good… then the next day I swung on and started asking for some movement. Hero would back up, and yield his hindquarters for me both directions easily. He started getting a touch nervous when I asked for forward movement, so I stuck with backwards and hind end movement for now.
Such a small thing… saddling and mounting a horse… asking for small movements… these are things we take for granted with our horses… even on most c**ts just learning the ropes… these things tend to come so easily and quickly. For hero, these things are just now comfortable for him. After years of re approaching and re evaluating… and just being patient. I finally swung my leg over my pony confidently and without fear from either him or myself and there is no feeling in the world like it. ❤️❤️❤️

17/03/2021

I’ve waited half a year to try this set of packs out. They look mighty fine on him in my opinion! Now just to add weight and start ponying out on the trail again. I’m so glad his foundation is proving to be just as solid as can be. From completely feral and scared beyond reason to having copious amounts of time off and now partially blind and just stepping right back into work like he never missed a day.

16/03/2021

This soft nosed boy gave me a clear sign a couple weeks ago that he is finally ready mentally to handle regular training. He eagerly approached a complete stranger out in an open field who had a halter and the intention to catch him. When he walked straight up to them and stood quietly and relaxed to be haltered I knew that he had finally accepted that humans are cool. Every day he greets me at the gate/door and is eager for attention. I have had a couple short sessions with him since this, and he picked up exactly where we left off. He saddled beautifully, worked on a long line beautifully. He stood for my shenanigans and even stood quietly for me to put weight on each side of the saddle and be above him. I have not swung a leg all the way over yet... I don’t want to ruin a good thing. My plan is to start packing with him again and getting weight on his back out on a trail setting. Following numerous horses and being respectful yet associating weight in the saddle and following other experienced horses as good before I swing up and over. I’m excited for the things that he will continue to teach me, and super excited for him to show the world just what a throwaway feral pony can do if just given the chance. ❤️

02/02/2021

Hero said domestic spoiled life isn’t so bad after all! He was warm and dry when we had that freezing rain the other night.
Snug as a bug in a rug ❤️

05/10/2020

Be careful feeding the roundbales this year. Hero was diagnosed with a case of botulism earlier this year, when we found out what it was we asked the barn crew if they noticed anything wrong with the hay and or grain that had been fed recently and it turned out that one of the roundbales had a skunk carcass in it. Which wasn’t found until it was too late.
Hero miraculously survived his case of botulism, but not without cost. He almost died, we walked for days. Slept in the barn for days. He came out of it with a blind eye, but he is lucky to have come through it at all.
Trust me on this one, be careful feeding your horses roundbales. If there is mold or carcass in your bale just throw it out. It’s far more beneficial than trying to pick around it.

ROUND BALES & HORSES

As you're making plans for the colder weather ahead and your winter hay needs, you may be considering purchasing round bales due to their lower cost and greater convenience for feeding pastured horses.

While well-managed/stored round bales can still be a safe option for your horses, there are a few things you should be aware of — in particular, the increased risk of botulism, a deadly disease caused by the toxins produced by the bacterium "Clostridium botulinum."
This toxin is produced when "Clostridium botulinum" is exposed to the right environmental conditions — such as when forage materials are baled and stored while still damp, or when they include the carcasses of dead animals, like birds and mice.

Because of the high death rate and the difficulty in diagnosing botulism, prevention through vaccination is critical, especially in areas where this disease is prevalent (such as Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Tennessee).

If you own horses and cattle and feed the same hay to all your animals, it is important to mention that cattle are not as sensitive to botulism as horses, but they do die from this disease. And regardless of the type of bales you feed, always remember that not all hay is created equal. Have your hay tested for nutrient content to ensure it meets your animals' nutritional needs; check for mold, dust, and poisonous weeds before feeding.

As in all horse health issues, your local veterinarian is your best source of information. Consult your horse doctor on best practices when feeding hay this winter, and on botulism prevention and treatment.
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Learn more about botulism on our website, athttps://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Outside%20Linked%20Documents/BOTULISM_Final.pdf

04/09/2020

Hero said he needed a mud bath. He has plenty of green grass to roll in, but he wanted to fit in with my mud monsters. Can’t be upset with a sweet face like that! I’m sure España Silk will make quick easy work of it!

26/08/2020

Update on Hero. He has recovered from his case of Botulism. He is still re gaining some weight that he lost while he was going through the worst of it.
It’s amazing how resilient these ponies can be. Botulism is a high fatality low survival thing. I can’t tell you how many hours we walked. How many nights I slept (with one eye open) in the barn with hero. I can’t tell you how many times I thought “here it is, he’s going down, he’s not going to make it.” All at the same time thinking “ please, please just push through this.”
After it was all said and done, the bond was made so much stronger, he watches for me now, picking me out from across the yard. He eagerly walks up to me and wants to be by my side. It’s not a “I trust you to walk up to me and I’ll follow you if you have me on a leadline” kinda thing anymore. It’s a real friendship. He chased off a mare that was seeking my attention this morning because he wanted it more.
Unfortunately in the midst of his case of Botulism he injured his left eye. He is now partially blind in that eye. That has obviously made things a little different in the way we can continue our training. However hero continues to show me that he trusts me.
Keep an eye out for this little guy. We have some big things we still have to accomplish.

03/07/2020

Someone was sleeping when I checked on him. He was laying down, of course I had a mini heart attack because the vet emphasized that he needed to remain standing or he may not be able to get back up. But this little bo**er was sneaking in a nap laying down and he shot right up no problem at all and gave me the “ you woke me up for this???” Sassy pants look. I think we are getting closer to making it out of the woods. Keeping my fingers crossed and prayers sent that it keeps going up from here!

01/07/2020

Today we moved Hero closer to the house, now we have full access to the arena and won’t be hindering any events, and I can sleep in my bed knowing he’s right outside and easy to keep an eye on. He settled right in and is demanding more feed. Which is still a great sign. Obviously he has been spoiled rotten.

30/06/2020

Alright everyone, I’m trying to keep updates coming while we get things figured out. The vet was out last night and he did quite a few tests. He has a few ideas of what he thinks it is, however he said that the most likely and most supported idea is a case of botulism. That he could have ingested toxins from out in the field or from his roundbale. Since we can’t tell how much or how little toxins he ingested we have no idea if it is a mild case or if it is going to get worse. He said that while he continues improving to go ahead treating him the way we have been. Continue monitoring and continue giving anti inflammatory medication. However, to keep in mind that he can still turn downhill and if he does it may get ugly fast. Our goals are to keep him up and hydrated and interested in feed. This morning he was bright and alert, eager for his hay and was being sassy pawing for grain. He was actively following me around like a puppy dog. He even spooked a little bit when I went to fly spray him.

29/06/2020

He’s finally got interest in feed back! Slow eating, but eating! Still waiting on vet for blood tests and such. But my goodness this is the best he’s looked in days! Really crossing my fingers and praying that this is a sign he will pull through. Trying to not let my hopes get too high though.

29/06/2020

Hero has been resting much more and hasn’t been obviously distressed. He is not eating or drinking, which is problematic. Please keep him in your thoughts as we continue trying to figure out what the cause of this is, and as we continue to monitor him. He is a fighter. Here’s hoping we get some decent news soon.

27/06/2020

Hero still seems off. I’ve been letting him rest in a stall with a fan turned to him. He’s not offered to roll and he’s been relaxed, but his breathing has been heavy. He has continued having bowel movements but he definitely isn’t feeling very good.

27/06/2020

Hero could use some healing thoughts. He is having some tummy trouble. He’s been given banamine and has been kept walking on vets recommendation. We’ve had minimal bowel movement but minimal is better than none.