Another New Horse - It's Bo!

[Heinz_57]

@lenapesadie

Glamour shots of you and Bo! Priceless!

Although I do plan to do some pro photos with the whole crew of redheads once everybody is slicked out for summer and fit-ish. I’m not sure I will appear in any of them, but if I do it’s unlikely to be in any sort of formal wear.

Bo before the shedding tools:

And after:

I know I mentioned giving him a bath, but let’s be real. He’s just going to roll and grind the dirt back in as soon as I turn him loose. He’s starting the patchy molting on his body now, too, but he’s not fully haired underneath so it’s got that same bald-ish look as his head did a few weeks ago.

[skydy]

I bet he feels better with all of that hair gone. Did seem to enjoy the process or was he just tolerant?

[Heinz_57]

I’d say he was accepting, although not enthusiastically into it or anything. His usual itchy spot is under his throat/between the jowls, so he made some silly faces when I got there. He’s got some bald patches under there, probably from rubbing his neck on the panels.

[2DogsFarm]

He looks FAB-U-LUSS!
Nice, thicc horse bod & hints of CopperPenny coat

[Heinz_57]

It’s Monday again (already?)! Now that we’re back on the PS/RG combo, I’m seeing the previous level of gains week to week. Week 15 now, I think.

This is where the gains are most noticeable now - the outline over top is rounding back out.

A comparison of 3 weeks ago (left, 2/12, few days after coming home from the hospital) vs today; the camera is slightly higher on today’s photo but you can get the gist:

And because it was the ONE thing I haven’t tried for forage, I just got in 3 50lb bags of Alfahay - similar to Chaffhaye, a fermented chopped alfalfa haylage-type product. Initially he didn’t seem particularly interested, but his FOMO got the better of him when I fed a handful to Elmo and he also tried a handful. He didn’t seem offended by it (no spitting it out), so I left him with a tub and a couple handfuls to consider. It’s definitely soft enough for him to be able to chew without quidding, so it’s just down to taste. We’ll see if he’s thrown it on the ground at dinner time.

Side note, I also gave both Elmo and Fern a handful or two of the Alfahay and they both looked at me like ‘you’re joking, right?’ So I really hope Bo will eat it, because nobody else is going to. I believe it has ACV in it and it has quite the strong, unique smell to it, which I was unprepared for when I opened the bag. I understand Chaffhaye (the brand) is not made with ACV, so maybe we need to try that next (last) if this is a complete fail. LOL

I wonder if soaking regular chopped hay might soften it enough for him. I already have a giant tub colander…

[JBCool]

Bo, you is gettin’ a booty!

[Heinz_57]

It’s getting there! I imagine it will be most impressive when he’s a fit boy in regular work.

Didn’t someone in this thread refer to him as Big Booty Bo a while back?

[anon29046226]

I noticed the tail!!! He looks wonderful . Yes but muscles… he’s gorgeous

[starsandsun]

omigosh just looks better and better!

[B_and_B]

I’ve been lurking. But, these last few pictures: Bo has got a booty! Funny how all of a sudden his rear end has appeared! A very good thing.

[Tarlo_Farm]

@Heinz_57, do you have any kind of leaf mulcher? You could take regular Alfalfa and run it through a mulcher to make your own chopped hay.
I had to do that for an ancient pony last winter to get him through to summer grass. Worked great!

[jvanrens]

He looks wonderful! The latest pictures have made my day.

[Heinz_57]

Today we put on the surcingle for lunging, just to try new things. I’ve already saddled him so I knew he wasn’t going to be too concerned.

Wait for it…

20230307_1350051081

To be clear, this move is not new - he does it without anything on, as well, it’s just the first time it’s been captured on video.

I also introduced him to side reins, for which he is too sensitive. I tossed them aside, nobody likes those things anyway. We switched over to long lining, and had a bit of a comical time trying to communicate. Bo is very clearly accustomed to neck reining and that’s not something I can replicate with long lines! But we got through it, and I learned quite a bit about him. He is very light in the mouth.

I have him in the Fager baby fulmer Sara, which is a slightly ported mullen mouth. He seems happy with it.

[jvanrens]

His little bronc show was pretty mild compare to my old mare’s antics on the lunge line. Nice to see him feeling sassy enough to expend that sort of energy! I bet they get more energetic in time.

[atr]

What a cute little buck!

[Jenerationx]

That boy can TROT!

Also his face is looking much better now that the coat is shedding.

[JBCool]

Did everyone see that? Because I will NOT be doing it again! (Jack Sparrow)

[Heinz_57]

yup, he’s pretty much a one and done with the crow hops, might throw in a head flip or two for the second canter but that’s it. He prefers to gallop around when he’s feeling jaunty, and the boy can cover some ground. I take BIIIG steps.

[JBCool]

My horse’s signature fresh move is a head sling, too. Ask to canter = head sling? Nope, we’re gonna trot a bit more. And, yeah, usually once & done. But I’ve seen videos of him doing it as 4yo, so I don’t think I’m going to break him of it now.

[findeight]

OMG, the look in his eye with that lunging cavesson on is pretty much the same as you get from a cat when you put a costume on them. Or try to. Sort of…”You are kidding, right”?