FYI at this point in time I'd like to notify you that there are VIDEOS at the bottom of this post.
The first thing I did was grab my brushes and go hunt for itchy spots. I entered his paddock after he gave me permission, set down my totebag of brushes, which promptly got destroyed, and just groomed him for about an hour. I was suprised that such a slick coat could shed out so much! I just kept scratching him until I thoroughly got all of his itchy spots, he even let me into Zone 5, and positioned himself so I was getting just the right spot. Needless to say this ended with me covered in hair and a very handsome looking George!
The a brilliant, very gunsil-ish idea hit me. The whole time we spent together he really wasn't "with me". His head kept going up and he had to look at the lions 5 miles away. I thought it might be a good idea to let him into the round pen to get some steam out. We made out way, slowly but surely, around the paddocks and through the barn (REALLY SCARY), and out to the roundpen. Once inside, he went buckwild! Rodeo George! I sat outside and took some video and pictures, snickered and sighed to myself, and contemplated: Holy Cow! What am I going to do???
Destroying my grooming tote: Yum!
Getting ready to roll!
He ran and ran until the tops of his haunches were sweating. He rolled maybe 20 times, not in a colic way but in a "get down off the adrenaline way", but would end a good roll with a good launch into the air followed by a sprint! It occurred to me too late that probably every experience he's had in a round pen hasn't been a positive one, but I decided to let him get it out, and if we ever go back in there it will involve lots of left-brained time and lots of cookies!
I noticed also that while before I believed that George was a fantastic mover, I truly had no idea. He has athleticism coming out his ears! Also, he hasn't taken one unsound step since I've brought him to his new home, so I didn't feel to bad about my following decision:
I moved George! I moved him out of the barn stall w/attached paddock, which was already the biggest enlosure he's been kept in during his entire 4 years...too a MASSIVE pasture! He has it all to himself and it doesn't cost me any more per month! And it has some trees lining one edge so he has shade. It has pretty safe fencing, a large barrel for water, and it's just TOPS! Also, it's big enough that we can play in there without worring about other riders, I'm going to try to find cones, barrels, and a tarp...along with "real" horse toys for him to play with. He has a large palominoqh/draft in the pasture next to his. Yellow won't let me come near him, unless I have grain, which I don't mind giving him because no one else pays attention to him, but then it's only in Zone 1 and with caution. George and Yellow get along great, I'm ashamed to say it was my boy that was making all the mare squeals at their first meating. And I was worried because George inspired him to run about, and Yellow has a hairline crack up the entirety of one of his front hooves, which also looking like he has laminitis, and I really don't want him getting more hurt! I told the barn owner, and she said she'd try to contact the person who seems him from time to time, but he really doesn't have an owner right now. SIGH!
Anyways, it only took George about 10 minutes to settle into his new pen, and I think he likes it. It's about 30 times bigger than anything he's ever roamed (other than the races at the track). I think he has every chance of hurting himself in a smaller enclosure as he does in a big one, and for a horse with so much go and so much energy, it just isn't fair to keep him penned up tight.
Meeting his new neighbor...
Actually eating his grain! Maybe because I soaked it with tons and tons of water!
Pic of George and about half of his new paddock.
A lady was watching us for a bit and asked me if I wanted her OTTB, Sonny. She was asking an exorbitant amount, but said she would give him to me, or to someone else that would give him a stellar home. He was gorgeous, much like George but with a dished face, and he's a thousands of dollars worth of "professional" training. He really was a doll, if George wasn't an world-consuming horse for me right now, and if I had more time away from work, then I wouldn't said yes! It's not the first time I've turned away a horse with limitless potential. There was the fresian that was dressage trained with no ground manners, the western pleasure champ that was scared of air. I wish I had the money to keep all the horses people wanted to give me! Still, I am insurmountably happy with George. He is truly the challenge I wanted and the partner I need.
Here's the videos! Warning, you may want to turn down the sound!
The Second one is my favorite! Can someone tell me how I'm supposed to ride this horse??? HEHE
OMG: Oh My George!
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