Three Pines Farm

Last week when I stopped at Bertram's Feed Store in Winslow, we got to 'talking horse' and they mentioned they knew a guy with two horses he wanted to get rid of.  I told them to have him give me a call and they did; turns out it was a mare and her almost-2-year-old colt.  They had found a home for the mare but were having trouble finding a taker on the colt; turns out the little guy had never had any work or training whatsoever.  I expected to find a horse in a lot worse shape than he was...he's in good weight and his feet don't look bad; the guy mentioned that he trimmed him a time or two while standing loose in the field.  His hoof angles are slightly off and he has a little flare going on but it will be a piece of cake to get in line within a real trim or two.

So, after seeing the state of the horse market nowadays I knew there was absolutely no chance for an unhandled stud to find a good home and you know I can't just stand back and see a good young horse go to slaughter or worse.  I went out Saturday and worked with him for about an hour, just petting and getting the halter close to his face, and within the hour I had the halter on and off him several times.  He's really friendly and seems to be very smart; isn't head-shy in the slightest but does like to try to bite.  Just hasn't had a lesson in manners, I think.  Worked with him a little Sunday morning and then again on Sunday afternoon on putting the halter on (which he is now totally cool with) and leading and I was really surprised to see how fast he's picking it up.  After just three short lessons, he allows the halter, gives to pressure when you ask him to walk, and backs with just a little pressure and a soft poke on the shoulder.  Worked a little again on Monday evening; just trying to keep his lessons short so he doesn't get bored and make bad associations.  Tonight was too windy and his mother left today, so to keep from possibly stressing him out further, I just loved on him awhile.  He's not made a move to kick but I haven't really pushed the issue or tried to lift his rear feet.  He let me slide a hand down his front legs without flinching but at the time he was at liberty, so I didn't push further.  Due to the downed barbed wire and piles of boards with rusty nails in his pasture, I'd really rather wait to do anything that might spook him until we have him here on the farm in a contained and safe area.



He's been on a diet of cracked corn and molasses (I know, not so healthy, but he looks okay) but we will be switching him to Strategy before he gets here.  They supposedly kept up on his worming by putting it in his feed since they couldn't get a halter on him to give it with the oral syringe.  He's chestnut but has a lot of roaning coming through as he sheds; also has the start of a white streak in his tail so I'm guessing he may be gray within a few years.  His dam was a black QH (?) and sire was supposedly a chestnut TW.  Don't know how tall he might get; guessing he'll top out about 14.2hh, although I could be wrong and he might get to 15hh.  He's very smart and seems to enjoy having an authority figure tell him what to do.  He's easy to catch; I hope to have him used to being handled enough to safely get him into the trailer when the time comes.  I just can't say enough how smart this guy seems.  The photos here are ones Nate took on the second evening of Spike's lessons.  I will add new blog posts about Spike as we spend a little more time together.  Please note that he's not quite as short as he look in the first picture; Nathan was standing on a hillside that was rather steep and was taking the shot from a higher spot than we were standing, so he looks very short.  I will get better pics soon.

So the plan is to wait until Ollie has moved (supposed to be in a week or two), then bring Spike here to the farm and have him gelded the very next day.  I've put up an ad or two to see if we get any hits and things are looking promising.  Here's to finding the little sweetie a great home!

Spike is really coming along; taking to halter/lead very well.  I've picked up his feet and he was cool with it, other than trying to bite me in the ass.  Once we get him gelded and home where I can school him more without being scared of spooking him into an accident, that will be fixed.  Here are a few more from yesterday; man, you can sure see the TW in him in some of these, lol!  He's also a little dusty and shedding like blue blazes, but what horse isn't at this time of year?

And yes, the pile in the background is actually his shelter...

Spike arrived at our farm last night.  He loaded and trailered like a dream; no problems whatsoever.  It only took about 5 minutes to get him in the trailer and there was NO drama!  He pretty much followed a feed bucket straight in.  He rode well and wasn't even sweating when we arrived home.  He can't wait to get out with the others and seems obsessed with John (who thinks Spike tastes delicious and keeps trying to take a bite over the fence).  Spike neighs like a weenie; I think even Ollie has a stronger voice, ha ha!  So here are some shots of his first hour on the farm. 

Doesn't he have the most gorgeous trot?

Spike is such a beauty.  He has the straightest legs and a gorgeous headset and stance.  He almost looks like he has some Arab in him, IMO.  When watching him interact with the others you can still see him do the 'baby-mouth' occasionally which is so sweet.  I think we'll wait a few days until it dries up and if they're still getting along, we may release him to stretch his legs a bit.  He goofs around the corral occasionally and here he is letting out a little buck:

Our little Spikey left for his new home this morning.  As usual, he loaded like a dream; I'm sure he will be a perfect fit with Rosie and Dana, his new mommies.  And I've been promised plenty of pictures and updates.  We're really going to miss him; he was such a smart, sweet little guy, and gorgeous to boot.  So goodbye, little Spikey, we'll see you again someday!