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visiting! Please be sure to visit our adoptable
horses
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| ARRIVED |
June
2010 |
| ADOPTABILITY |
available,
see
below for details
DISCOUNTED
RATE FOR CHRISTMAS 2011! |
SPONSORED BY
|
- Feed: needs a sponsor!
- Medical: needed!
Please see below.
|
| BREED/AGE |
6-yo (2005 model)
Registered Quarter Horse (successfully gelded, see below) |
Jack,
"Spanish Eyed Eddie"! click
the boxed photo to
enlarge...
| Skills Report Card! |
Overall
Health: required surgery --
healing and doing great. $854 expense for the surgery alone, RAISED,
THANK YOU ALL!
10/10/10 update:
Jack's overall health rating is now "A". He has no residual issues
post-surgery; has no soundness challenges; has had his dental work
done, and is ready to go forward into a new life! |
12/1/2010 Health Grade: A.
No problems whatsoever. Easy keeper, well mannered, behaves for vet and
farrier. Good with other horses at pasture and in stalls, with no
aggression issues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALTH HISTORY:We
don't quite know what
happened in Jack's past.
We are told he was emaciated, but otherwise healthy when he got to the
prior owner.
He currently is slightly overweight, muscular and fit, and has a lot of
energy.
Jack has no visible soundness issues whatsoever. His initial vet intake
was unventful.
Jack arrived as a Cryptorchid, which means that (sorry
this is
not PG!) he had one testicle stuck up in his abdomenal cavity. A vet
took the 'easy one', but never found the 2nd, so
while Jack appears to be gelded when he arrived, he really was not.
Why did you do surgery? Even
if Jack not being fully fixed was not a risk of him getting a mare
pregnant (it is), there are numerous other risks to leaving Jack as he
arrived. Jack had a far higher likelihood of testicular
cancers, of other abdomenal issues related to the unexpected presence
of that testicle. Most significantly, Jack thought he was a stallion,
and
could not be allowed to be pastured with other horses. His testosterone
level would have caused him to attempt to breed every mare, and
potentially
hurt those who will not comply; more significantly, he wanted a
'harem' and would have run off or killed other males (he doesn't know
or care
what a gelding is) to keep his mares.
Jack's surgery cost us $854 -- we were lucky and it was completed
without complications, but it still required him to stay over a week at
the vet hospital and have
extensive post-surgical care. Please consider donating to help us to
help Jack. Until his surgery was done and it was verified that he is
already sterile, he was
required to live alone in a separate area, where he cannot get close or
touch other horses.
Sept 10, 10 update: Jack is home and
recovering wonderfully! He was sterile and so has already been allowed
to pasture with a small group of mares. The difference in Jack's
demeanor already, now that he is allowed simple equine companionship,
is astounding. It will be 6-8 weeks before he is allowed to pasture
with another gelding, but for now he is enjoying his time in the
smaller paddock with several mares as companions.
October 10, 2010 update: Jack has transitioned to our main
pasture surprisingly well. Even though we still had 2 geldings in the
main herd, Jack was doing so well when pastured with only mares, that
we let him out into the main herd. Tessa made sure there was no
significant drama, and Jack settled into his place in the herd rapidly.
He still acts mildly studdish with the mares, but has settled in and
learned his position quickly.
Jack had dental work today, removing a wolf's tooth and cleaning up
sharp points that had caused at least 2 lesions inside his mouth. As
soon as these areas heal, Jack will be ready for his first bridle
fitting at CWER, and to go forward with his pre-riding training.
September '11: Jack again had dental work today. He needed significant
additional adjustments, since his first work was likely the first he'd
ever had in his life. He was EXTREMELY good, doc was so pleased! |
| Ground
manners: B+ |
Previously,
Jack has been
allowed to
dominate humans, but clearly has also once had proper manners. He is
rapidly figuring out that we will expect good citizenship of him, and
is making fast progress already, and this is only day 1!
As of 2 weeks, Jack is leading with respectable manners, and being
polite while getting his grain and hay; has had his first bath, and is
reasonable when handling his front hooves. He is OK with flyspray but
still
nervous about it.
We aren't asking a lot of Jack
yet, just letting him get settled into our world.
9/10/10 update:
Jack's manners are improving by the day since his surgery. As he
recovers we will increase his exercise and training times and hope to
see Jack as an easily handled horse by early October 2010.
10/10/10:
Jack has made excellent progress in his ground manners. He is
easily led in most circumstances, even if nervous. He almost never
attempts to push through people any longer. He understands the basics
of life in our herd now, and also his responsibilities when he comes
into and out of the barn for feedings.
12/1/10: Jack
is now a VERY good citizen. We don't hesitate to have
beginner volunteers to walk Jack from his stall to pasture. He leads
calmly and easily. He is easily handled when coming in for meals or for
other every day tasks. |
Basic
Riding Skills:
STARTED 4/2/2011
Don't miss his YouTube videos....preride
refresher and his
first ride! |
We
are told Jack would
allow a child to sit on him while on a lead. He has clearly been
saddled previously.
As with nearly all horses that come to CWER, we will start Jack at
ground zero, and build all his ground manners and pre-ride training
prior to putting a saddle or rider on his back.
10/10/10 update: Jack required dental work prior to considering a
bridle fitting; we've also been allowing his abdomen time to heal from
his surgery.
12/1/10 update: Other priorities, having nothing to do with Jack, have
delayed Jack's training progress. Jack is VERY ready to get down to
serious pre-riding then riding training, we simply have not been able
to do so.
4/2/11 update: JACK HAD HIS FIRST RIDE! It was fabulously
anticlimactic. Enjoy the videos!
5/5/11 update: Jack has had a handful of indoor rides, and is making
good basic progress. He has never bucked or otherwise been
'disrespectful', he simply isn't sure yet what to do. He is not yet
'green', he is just started under saddle at walk/trot.
12/11/11 update: Jack had a long break this summer due to weather and
other delays here, but is again riding this fall. We've done several
outdoor rides (see his photos on facebook!) and quite a lot of indoor
riding, with both the trainers and also several early intermediate to
full intermediate riders.
Don't
miss his YouTube videos....preride
refresher and
his
first ride! |
| Ideal
Career: THINKING |
His bloodlines scream
"thinking horse sports" such as working cattle,
mounted shooting, barrels/poles/gymkhana gaming, trail work including
competitive trail/ACTHA, etc. So far, his start fits those directions
for him.
Jack is mildly overweight from his lazy summer, and it is showing in
his rather lazy riding. However, when he was fit and trim in spring, he
had good forward energy under saddle, and we woul expect the same
again, once he was fit for his new owner. |
| Stall
Manners: A+ |
On
Day 1, Jack has been
placed into Cheveyo's memorial pen -- with free access in/out of a
stall, to a small paddock, to the large outdoor round pen. He is able
to see a large portion of the main pasture, and can see the other
horses most of the day, but gets excited when any horse is led near him.
Jack clearly
knows how to enter and exit a stall like a gentleman on a leadrope. He
is now mannerly about being fed while in his stall, or out in his
paddock. He isn't 'hard' on his stall -- doesn't bang or kick or paw or
weave, unless there is a mare in the indoor roundpen (10' from his
door) in which case he gets excited.
UPDATE: Jack easily settled into the routine here at CWER, and spent
several weeks with a stall and a small run. He quickly relaxed and
became easily managed inside his stall, and doesn't show signs of being
hurried to get into or out of a stall. His ground manners while within
a stall are excellent. |
| Trailering
Skills: B |
Jack
is mildly nervous
about the trailer, but loads when asked. |
| Companionism/Pasture: A+ |
Jack
was not allowed
contact with other horses until his vaccinations were updated and we
have time to ensure he doesn't have any othe contagious illnesses. He
passed through those steps easily, but our confirmation that he was not
fully gelded then delayed his pasture time until his surgery was
complete. As he stood when he arrived, Jack was a danger to himself and
to both mares and geldings if we
allowed him to go in our pasture, so he had to remain isolated until
his
gender issue is resolved.
9/10/10 update:
Jack's surgery is completed, he is now fully fixed, and he was already
sterile so he is allowed to pasture with mares. His pasture manners are
reasonable and the mares are 'teaching him' to improve them daily. It
will be 6-8 weeks before he can be with the main herd and around other
geldings, as his testosterone level diminishes.
10/10/10 update: Jack has now been in our main herd with 2 other
geldings who have since moved on to new lives. Jack was surprisingly
easy with the other geldings, particularly after warning from Tessa
(smile). He is fairly low in the 'pecking order' in the herd, waiting
his turn to come up to feed. He occasionally acts studdish, squealing
and being excited by a mare in heat, but problems are rare.
12/1/10 update: Jack is doing VERY well with the herd, and has actually
allowed another gelding to be 'in charge' of their herd. He is good
with the mares and remains fairly low in the herd order.
12/12/11 update: Jack is currently playing nanny for a horse who just
returned, Paris, who is not yet ready to be out in the grass. He is
exceptional with her, as he is with all of our herd members at pasture.
|
| Routine
Medical Care: A |
On
Day 2, Jack was sedated,
given his vaccinations, and examined to try to determine whether or not
he is fully gelded. Jack was difficult with the vet, but
once sedated was found to be in excellent health, fit, and strong. He
appeared to have had one testicle removed in his gelding but not the
second. A few days later we were able to reach the vet who did the
surgery, and confirmed that he could not find the 2nd testicle and it
is almost certainly abdominal. In early September, Jack had his surgery
and he is now fully gelded (see notes). The cost was $854 for the vet
hospital alone.
Jack is well mannered now for basic exams and such but remains easily
upset at the sight of a needle. We will work on this skill with Jack
over time.
10/10/10 update: Jack had significant dental work completed today, at a
cost of $200. Jack was again excitable at the sight of the vet,
and we made the decision to do a soft rope nose twitch before he got
overly animated. He immediately settled and relaxed, was easily sedated
and was a gentleman for his dental work.
SHOTS: Jack remains nervous of needles.
FARRIER: Jack is well behaved for front hoof trims and is learning
about rear hoof handling. He is still unsure of this process.
WORMER: Jack is easy with wormer and other medications.
4/2/11 UPDATE:
Shots: Jack is respectful and easily managed for vaccinations and blood
draw. He is mildly nervous, bu trusts his handlers.
Farrier: Jack was easily trimmed, all 4 hooves, without any upset or
difficulty.
Wormer: Jack is always easy to use dewormer or other medications.
9/1/11 UPDATE shots and dentistry -- he was PERFECT for the vet for his
dental today. Quiet, easy to give his medication, stood wonderfully for
all the work done, came out of the sedative easily.
|
|
|
|
Overview:
|
Jack is a
handsome, very classically built,
finely foundation bred Quarter Horse. He appears likely to be set to go
on to a
'thinking horse" career such as mounted shooting, orienteering, gaming,
etc, but we won't know for certain until his ground training is
completed and we find what seems to fit him best. He is a gorgeous
mover and a joy to watch in the paddock.
Jack has an unusual white "bracelet" on one foreleg. This is actually a
white sock, with a shorter brown/red sock over top, so only the taller
bit of white remains visible. This is a sobino pinto color marking, and
NOT a scar. |
| Adoption
Terms: |
Jack is nearly ready for a forever home. for an
upper intermediate or advanced rider who wishes to take Jack home, we
would adopt him for $1500 which would include an additional 15 days of
riding school to cement his current lessons; we would extend that an
additional 45 days for a discounted rate of $250.
HOLIDAY
DISCOUNTS...FOR AN ADOPTER WHICH CONTRACTS BY CHRISTMAS AND TAKES HOME
OR HERE FOR TRAINING BY 1/31/12, WE WILL REDUCE HIS FEE TO $1,000, AND
STILL OFFER THE $1250 RATE TO INCLUDE A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS TRAINING TIME
(WHICH WOULD EXTEND HIS SHIP DATE.)
Jack is an exceptionally well built, well bred, classic quarter horse.
He is clearly an easy keeper, and we don't believe Jack has ever had
any soundness or other health issues.
Jack's adoption fee may be increased
over time as he acquires more training and shows more skill in
particular disciplines.
Please see our AdoptionQnA
pages for
details of how to adopt. |
|
HISTORY:
|
We honestly
don't
know what happened
in Jack's past. The story, as we understood it, is that he was a young
stud colt with numerous other horses when his elderly owner died.
Somehow the horses were forgotten or only partially cared for, and were
found in terrible conditions. We had once been told (4th hand) that
Jack had been too weak to stand, but when we spoke with the man who
rescued him out of that situation, that was a different horse's story
and not Jack. Jack was strong and healthy and they attempted to geld
him just 8 days after he was rescued. He gave us the name of
the
vet, who confirmed that he found only one testicle.
He has VERY fluid motion and no visible soundness
issues.
Jack has an unusual "pair of socks" on his right front leg -- a tall
white sock, and a shorter red/brown sock over the lower portion,
causing an interesting SPLASH of white like a bracelet, which is on his
original
papers. We're told it is a sabino color pattern and not all that
unusual, but is new to us!
We're
unsure what happened next, but
he was eventually transferred to a local wildlife sanctuary
who
does not normally handle horses. She
gave him sanctuary until she could find him a safe home. Our mutual vet
referred her to CWER, and we agreed to bring Jack here promptly. Jack
arrived excitable and clearly used to moving humans rather than having
humans be in charge, but otherwise seemingly very fit, strong, muscular
and healthy. We look forward to getting his vet care basics completed
and beginning ground training.
Jack had his cryptorchid surgery to
remove the oversized, damaged testicle that was stuck deep in his
abdomen, and recovered rapidly, not just physically, but without the
excessive levels of testosterone, mentally he rapidly evolved into a
well mannered gentleman.
|
|
|
| 6/26/2010: |
Jack has clearly
been allowed to bully and boss around humans for some time in his life.
But, just as clearly, Jack has also been a gentleman with proper
manners at one time. He is quickly realizing that we expect
him to be a good citizen here, and also that he is safe and will be
well fed and treated well here.
On his facebook photo album you can see photos of his first training
session
here at CWER. He was haltered in his temporary paddock, led to our
outdoor round pen, unhaltered and asked to work, natural
horsemanship style. He tried to fire his hind feet, to refuse to move,
to rush forward, to threaten to climb the rails. Then, as he decided
that maybe it really wasn't worth all that effort, he started to lower
his head, to ease his stride, to lock his inner ear to Mike, to chew,
and finally to truly relax.
Jack knows how to have his hooves handled, but hasn't been required to
in some time, and is currently unsure that he wishes to return to that
appropriate behavior. We simply asked him to lift and hold briefly for
tonight, and rewarded him for doing so.
It appears Jack had a woman in his life once, a soft-voiced, perhaps
younger human who he respected and trusted, and he has locked onto
AnnMarie's voice as reminding him of another time in his life.
Hopefully, that past memory will help him relax into his new routine
here and find his way forward into a new career.
At the completion of his training session tonight, Jack stood calmly to
have a lead put around his neck, haltered easily, and led properly
while inside the round pen. Outside the pen, he was excited but
managable as he wanted all 14 mares on the farm to know he was here,
and returned to his temporary paddock where he calmly allowed his lead
to be unhooked and he went back outside to watch the new world around
him.
|
July 9,
2010
|
We've spent
the last 2 weeks working on figuring
out Jack's past, and have met a few great people along the way. We are
still trying to fill several holes, but have made some progress.
In the mean time, we've been asking Jack simply to settle into a normal
routine here. To mind his manners when given his grain and his hay, to
yield to humans coming in and out of his paddock, to be polite and
friendly to visitors at his fence. These simple tasks have been
bringing his manners forward, and we're pleased with his progress
there. It will take some time before the bullying is completely gone,
but it is retreating nicely. |
| July 24, 2010 |
Jack
continues to make very nice progress here.
We are still making only small requests of Jack, as our primary focus
for him is figuring out how to afford and complete his gelding surgery.
Jack now stands (nervously) for flyspray. He usually yields his hind
quarters with little fuss when asked, and is quickly learning that
pushing his body INTO people when asked to move away does not get him
any rewards or reprieves, so he is now doing much better about moving
his shoulders away when asked as well. He is leading with better
manners and, while he still gets excited if a mare comes into the
indoor roundpen (10 feet from his stallfront), when he is scolded, he
goes out into his paddock and waits for his door to be closed (sadly),
knowing that he is not going to be allowed to continue to 'make a fuss'.
Jack has had a lunging surcingle put on him, then a saddle. He was
clearly familar with both. I led him with a saddle pad completely
blindfolding his face, and he trusted and gave short steps with me
without panic. We continue to take small steps in these directions with
Jack, and he continues to make progress. He is a sweet boy under all
that hormonal-driven bravado. Someone will have a fantastic partner one
day soon. |
| 9/10/10 |
Jack's surgery was successful, and he is
recovering wonderfully.
He WAS sterile so we did not have to delay allowing him in the pasture
with mares.
His testosterone level was excessive, so he cannot be with geldings for
6-8 weeks as his body readjusts.
Jack is happily living with the 'team Weightwatchers' group of mares
that are kept off the grass pasture for weight management. The mares
have helped Jack understand his place in the herd (mares first, gelding
fifth!), and he seems so much happier and easier to manage now that he
is able to have normal horse companionship. |
| 10/10/10 |
Jack has moved into the main herd, and is doing
very well. He learned his position in the herd quickly (LAST!), and is
quiet and respectful in the pasture in most cases.
Jack required basic dental work which was completed today ($200). He
had a wolf's tooth extracted and a full float, resolving several areas
that were causing lesions inside his mouth. We will allow Jack's mouth
additional time to heal, and then will begin his first bridle fittings.
We hope to have Jack beginning under saddle early this winter. |
| 4/2/2011 |
Jack “Spanish Eyed
Eddie” has 2 fun new videos in his
YouTube and facebook folders as of today…
1.
This is the
pre-ride refresher. Jack has had
extensive ground school prior to ever being asked to carry a rider.
This video
shows a portion of the ‘follow the steps’ that Jack went
through Sunday
morning, prior to being asked to take on the new tasks of walking
forward,
saddled/bridled, with a rider.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIbdTUt6lfmU&h=09d71
2.
This is the actual
first ride. The time period
of this video is actually just under 20 minutes in length…long
fabulously
boring segments are removed. We were so very pleased with this young
man –
walking confidently on a lead; respecting his bridle in his
rider’s hands;
following his handler confidently without the safety blanket (lead
rope); then
working on the rail on his own with little then no input/assistance
from the
handler on the ground and, finally, this handsome rock star offered to
trot and
so had 2 short trot sessions with a rider. SO PROUD!!!
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DnAha2jSBmJw&h=09d71
The past few months...
Jack
had a few bumps in the
road, but he rapidly adjusted to a very normal member of the herd. He
is
sociable and manageable at pasture with and without other geldings
among the
mares. He is quite subservient to our alpha mares, and respectful of
the other
gelding currently in the herd.
Without
excessive
testosterone overwhelming his natural personality, Jack promptly
settled into a
sweet, affectionate gelding who craves human attention. He also
connected with
another teenage boy – this one, human. Jack and James have been a
joy to watch
together this entire past winter, as Jack learns to understand the
human
version of ‘speaking horse’ just as much as James is
learning to speak it. With
2 senior trainers as guides, James has been responsible for extensive
groundwork with Jack, focused upon building a partnership and a
friendship.
Both young men have made us all very proud.
Prior
to the videos above,
Jack has had a series of training processes to help him prepare for the
anticlimactic
day yesterday, including…
1.
Extensive
roundpen/join up work to build a
partnership and trust – all at liberty, but sometimes while
saddled or bridled
(no reins) or both;
2.
Extensive
“desensitization”, including playing
with large balls, walking on a wooden bridge, handling umbrellas and
more…again
building trust;
3.
Multiple ground
driving lessons, to ensure his
comfort with the basic inputs of his bridle and reins and then to help
him
understand the concept of accepting directions from a human who is not
in his
normal field of vision (driving from behind to equate to a rider on his
back);
then ground driving with the handler at his shoulder;
4.
Numerous sessions
at the mounting stairs, what
some of our adopters describe as ‘ramp broke’ because it is
so like teaching a
horse to work with a wheelchair ramp;
5.
A session with a
handler at his head, mike at
his shoulder, and James sitting on him bareback – no bridle
– with Mike acting
as a ‘catch rider’ would for a rodeo rider – pulling
James off Jack, should
Jack get upset or nervous. That safety net was not needed as Jack
walked calmly
but curiously with his young friend astride.
PS: love the reflective sewn
into his new safety halter!!!
It really picked up the flash!!
|
| 5/5/11 update |
Jack has had a handful of rides so far. He has
NOT been argumentative or difficult at any stage, just unsure what to
do at times. We are only doing basic walk/trot work in the indoor
arena. His steering is solid, he stops easily, and is making great
progress. |
| 9/1/11 |
Jack had a chiropractic issue in late summer,
having somehow injured his withers. As of today, he is cleared to
return to regular round pen work in his tack, working back from the
flex tree to his regular saddle, then to return to riding training. |
| 12/11/11 |
Jack is doing VERY VERY well again, back under
saddle. See his recent outdoor ride photos on facebook!
He is riding both with his trainer when time allows, and also working
with 2 intermediate level riders periodically. he is well mannered and
respectful under saddle. He is mildly overweight and that has made him
lazier than he had been in spring. We expect improving his fitness
would quickly return him to higher energy. |
|
|
Sponsorship: Jack needs medical sponsorship! At arrival, he had to
have a coggins test,
5-way vaccination, west nile and rabies vaccinations, overall medical
exam, proper deworming, dental work. Estimated costs:
-
FEED SPONSOR: Please
consider sponsoring Jack. He will begin on Enrich 12, $35 per month.
-
Transport to
CWER: $25
-
Basic intake vet
care: $200, plus $98 for testerone blood tests (which confirmed he is
almost certainly a cryptorchid).
- Cryptorchid
gelding surgery $854 (12/10
update: raised $374 to date; balance $480 -- will YOU help?)
-
Dental care: $200 -
delayed until late fall 2010, completed 10/10/10.
-
Farrier care:
he receives farrier care here at CWER by our own Mike Cross,
unless
something unusual would be found that requires treatment.
-
Worming: We will
test his stools and treat as needed. Any base issues will be resolved
immediately, then $10 every 2 months for normal worming schedule.
Bloodlines: (bloodlines
below, courtesy of www.allbreedpedigree.com.)
WOW! What a stacked
set of CLASSIC/Foundation bloodlines:
- 2 doses of Diamond,
- Two Eyed Jack,
- Holy Smoke,
- Skipper,
- Three Bars,
- Poco on top AND bottom,
- Leo & Leo3,
- Cody,
- WIMPY on top AND bottom,
- the list goes on and on...
|
