Looks like this guy went back to New Vocations as I just saw him pop up on my FB newsfeed. I’ve been following him since NV first got him - by their description, he seems to be a fairly typical Tapit, I’ve dealt with a few and they’re great as far as their work ethic, just prefer their space and tend to not like to be fussed with.
He has returned to NV and I am loving his weekly updates. He looks like a lovely horse - I actually love his face and eyes. I really wonder what happened with OP. Perhaps not just a good fit.
[QUOTE=plain bay;8366523]
Looks like this guy went back to New Vocations as I just saw him pop up on my FB newsfeed. I’ve been following him since NV first got him - by their description, he seems to be a fairly typical Tapit, I’ve dealt with a few and they’re great as far as their work ethic, just prefer their space and tend to not like to be fussed with.[/QUOTE]
Popped up on mine too, with two gal’s kissing his muzzle…
Hopefully he gets a better match this time around. Hope the OP ended up okay as well.
Dude. I have been waiting (hoping) to see this guy pop back up. I loved him prior to OP adopting him, was disappointed that I wasn’t ready to own at the time. I’m ready to own now…:uhoh:
[QUOTE=talkofthetown;8367482]
Dude. I have been waiting (hoping) to see this guy pop back up. I loved him prior to OP adopting him, was disappointed that I wasn’t ready to own at the time. I’m ready to own now…:uhoh:[/QUOTE]
Oh oh oh!! ENABLE like I said before, I really like him. :winkgrin:
Ahhhh! Stop! Haha.
So…on a serious note…I have some New Vocations questions. Anyone care to share their experiences?
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Their application asks for vet and farrier references. Vet needs to have seen the property. I can ask our vet to come take a look, but since I haven’t owned in several years I don’t have a farrier reference. Is that a deal breaker? Even if I ask one of the local vets, they aren’t going to know anything about my standard of care.
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The requirements state: If there are no stalls, there must be adequate shelter in a pasture large enough to accommodate the horse(s), i.e. run-in for 2 horses should be at least 12 x 24. All horses must have access to adequate shelter based on the geographic location of the facility. I have enough acreage, but there is currently no type of shelter (other than trees). If I’m being honest/realistic, I don’t think I would be able to con DH into building anything at the moment. (It’s taken quite a lot to get him in support of owning again.) I bolded the part that I’m unsure of. Does this mean that since I don’t live in a place with extreme weather, they would allow me to adopt without a run-in?
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I pass the requirements for everything else. Fencing, income, all that jazz. I just don’t want to go through that process and get my hopes up if you guys think that I have to have a run-in.
I would think that due to Florida’s heat, storms and insects that a run-in shelter would be mandatory. I personally don’t like to see a horse without any free-choice access to shelter.
[QUOTE=maunder;8367574]
I would think that due to Florida’s heat, storms and insects that a run-in shelter would be mandatory. I personally don’t like to see a horse without any free-choice access to shelter.[/QUOTE]
Maybe. Down here it’s very common to see horses on 24/7 turnout, as long as there’s shade. Not sure what to expect their answer to be.
I imagine they’d require some sort of run in that he can stand under in the rain. Granted, I know my horses stand outside in the rain 50 feet from a run in like morons, but you at least need to give them the opportunity I guess…
I bet you could put something together fairly easily!
Fill out the questionnaire as honestly as you can and explain fully gaps in horse ownership or why you may not currently have a farrier, etc.
We got people in similar situations all the time at CANTER, though usually they were planning on boarding, so they could use “farm” references in that case. If NV is similar, they understand circumstances like that and are mostly looking to suss out that you are a responsible person who knows how to take care of horses or has good resources/help. The worst they can say is “no” 
I’d be in a similar boat if I was trying to get a horse now, I have references and such but not in the area where I now live.
I also would think you could get something put together pretty easily. I wouldn’t want a horse not to have some shelter either. Its not a matter of snow and ice, but of staying out of the sun, sleeping peacefully when raining, etc.
If you really want the horse and your place isn’t set up yet, find a place to board which will pass their muster, and bring your horse home when you have finished it.
Are you going to have just one horse? You can buy a small prefab shelter for about $1000, at least in my area.
Thanks for the tips. All I can do is try! Going to have The Talk with DH tonight…wish me luck! :eek:
Building a run-in is so easy and cheap, there’s no reason not to do it. I can built them myself, with no assistance, and I’m a little old fat lady.
In Florida, you don’t need full walls. In fact, the last two I built I just made shade cloth walls, which the equines seem to like.
Mine are out 24/7, and while there are plenty of trees to stand under, the equines frequently chose to stand in their sheds.
NoSuch, that sounds fantastic. Would you be willing to post/PM some pictures and maybe some instructions? So this little lady can tell DH how super cheap and easy it is? :lol:
[QUOTE=talkofthetown;8367782]
NoSuch, that sounds fantastic. Would you be willing to post/PM some pictures and maybe some instructions? So this little lady can tell DH how super cheap and easy it is? :lol:[/QUOTE]
I’ll try and get some pics tonight and will PM you some instructions and pics.
Well…I talked to DH last night. I ran through my very well-rehearsed spiel and his response was:
“Well, the shelter’s the easy part. I can do that in an afternoon.” 
I also heard back regarding my application (which really surprised me how quick that was!). I’m good to go once I get the shelter built and can send photos of it.
I might be overthinking this, but I’m probably going to jump off this thread out of respect to OP. Not sure if she’s sad/happy/moved on/heartbroken but in case she’s still around I don’t want her feeling bad reading this. Thanks for the tips, everyone! If this continues to move forward, I’ll start a new thread with updates. Wish us luck!
For what it is worth … I know this thread is old but it was sad to see all the references to crops and chains. I find it more beneficial to focus on recognizing good behavior and immediately rewarding that rather than being on guard for the bad behavior and responding with inflicting or threatening to inflict pain on the horse. I’m not warm-fuzzy pollyanna here – a hay cube can also become a flying projectile if need be to protect yourself. But if you look for and reward the good behavior, the association that a horse develops with you will be a positive one rather than a negative one. The horse will see you as someone he wants to interact with rather than one he fears and obeys out of that fear.
I hope people here will give the aggressive horses a chance. They are often the ones who have been the worst treated. My favorite horse (an ex-racehorse) was once very aggressive – he would rear up and lunge at me with teeth bared. The mistreated horses also become the most appreciative. My horse, who was once described as mean and should be put down because he was going to hurt someone, became a horse that would, upon seeing me walk out in the pasture, leave the other horses to come running to me, follow me around the barn and put his head on my shoulder while I was working on something (often while the gate was open and he literally had the freedom to leave my property)
They don’t deserve whips. Every horse, no matter the temperament, will eventually look your way with ears forward – that’s a starting point. Reward that. Continue looking for behavior to reward and what follows in time (maybe a year down the road) is an incredible friendship. Oops! Sorry for the warm and fuzzy term friendship but, oddly enough, friends can also respect one another.
