Love him - thank you for taking him home! :yes:
It will be interesting to see what Texas A&M has to say. I did a DNA test on my mustang and the results I got were Arab, Draft (like Belgian) and Western European WB. The person actually wrote on the test that it was an odd combination. Who knows if it is right or not!
[QUOTE=RedmondDressage;7598785]
Bluey - you have a good eye… Vet was out yesterday to get him on antibiotics and pinned him at about 16 or 17. It’ll be a nice age, mature but with some good years left. Other than the respiratory infection he’s looking pretty darn good… No other significant finds and even his temp was normal. I’m looking forward to kicking the infection though… I’m a bit psycho about the quarantine - I don’t think I’ve ever showered or changed my clothes so many times in one day :)[/QUOTE]
I may be completely wrong, but from the second set of pictures, if he was here, I would say he is a horse some that uses their horses, like cowboys do here, had for many years.
Once they get to early to mid teens, they don’t like to have them working so much, so they try to sell them to someone that won’t be using them so hard any more.
If they can’t or need money in a hurry, they run them thru a sale without papers, because they think that, like they do, people won’t want a horse 12+ any more and he has a chance to find a home without a specific age.
The trouble, he does look older, so most that would have bought such horses and sold them for trail riding also don’t want to take a chance, or if he specified that was not a kid’s horse, meaning he may have some quirks, like needing to be warmed up a bit when fresh or who knows what.
Over the years I have taken those horses and, after trying them out and getting some weight, normally all it takes is teeth, deworming and good food, if they were nice and sound, taken the time to find them a good place.
They are wonderful horses, some may just ride, if the cowboy didn’t know much, some may even have a wonderful “handle” and be very handy to do most anything with.
They rarely come with any spoiled type behaviors and that he is friendly to humans is a big plus, some here are somewhat rank to handle, especially to catch, saddle and around their feet.
Those just don’t have that many places that want them when older, most cowboys that can handle rank ones need younger mounts.
When someone just has a couple of working horses, they generally don’t have a place to keep more, so there is no retiring them, especially if they are kind of “touchy”, not so nice to have around and not reliably nice for others to ride in a pinch.
He looks just like those and the cutting bred, Doc Olena type, but has a nicer head than those have, that are very refined but have a lower head roman nose feature, thicker bones there and their legs tend to not be as straight always, sticking out here and there.
They still work all their lives on those legs and stay sound, they are tough horses.
Now, that horse may not be any of that at all, but maybe this gives you more to go by to check out, who knows, maybe that is how he ended up where he did.
If he is sound, friendly and no serious quirks, he should be a wonderful horse for most anyone for many years.
Those that like people make great horses to work with and ride and in general live with, which yours may be if he is indeed anything like those he looks like he could be, if he came from around here.
He could even have some very good cutting training years ago, the kind that you can ride without a bridle, just a string around their neck.
Then, he may not be any of all that at all and still a wonderful find, plus you are giving him one more chance to find a good home.
Bluey - thank you for the insight, that is really interesting and probably not an implausible explanation for his background since he came from the eastern side of the state where most of the farming and ranching happens. The woman who acts as the liaison with the kill buyer usually does her best to get as much information on them to post as possible. From my conversation with her he was sent through loose and didn’t come with a single word about him.
We’ll see how he is under saddle but on the ground he is DEFINITELY not a rank one… He was an absolute angel for the farrier and vet. Stood like a statue and picked up his feet dutifully and his only reaction to the vet was to take one step back when she stuck him with the very large antibiotic needle. He’s incredibly friendly and is now whinnying to me every time I come outside. The only reason he’s not getting a ton of snuggles is because of the massive amounts of snot :lol:
Your post has gotten me very excited to see what - if anything - he knows. I would LOVE it if he’s done some cutting/cattle work - I will buy him a western saddle in a heartbeat and play with that stuff… I’ve been threatening my 17HH Hanoverian with cattle clinics next year after he retires from the dressage ring. I’m sure he’d be thrilled if a more suitable horse would go ahead and claim that job! He appears sound so far and aside from one scar he has some of the cleanest, tightest legs I’ve seen on a horse his age. His ability to take everything in stride has been impressive as well. I don’t get the sense that he’s ever been in a stall - he avoided it at all costs until last night when it started raining and he discovered how warm and dry it is. I don’t think he’s ever had grain or treats - he pushes the bucket over but doesn’t seem to know what to do with it.
I think this is going to be a fun little adventure. I just had a feeling about him based on those feedlot pictures and everything I’m seeing so far (in the two whole days I’ve known him :D) is telling me that my gut was right. Obviously with no history we’ll go slow and careful and look for any triggers, but I really think there is something special about this one.
You know we would love more pictures, especially as you get along with him some more.
That he is so nice on the ground means that maybe he did have a great start with a good horseman, maybe even a professional.
Many such horses don’t make it to compete, but are great for ranch horses or anything else.
Team penners love those, they can go on with them and the good ones more than earn their keep.
He reminds me of one such I bought, he had his papers and was 18 and was great.
A local girl has him now and it is truly a match made in heaven.
He shares her soda pop and food with her and she considers him her friend, as much fun to just care for as to ride.
He too came very thin and he was right down scrawny and ended up filling in very nicely.
I hope yours turns out to be as nice as our Woody was.
Sounds like a working ranch horse… I vote Bluey is going to be right. :winkgrin: Don’t be surprised if he has a few creaks (what 17 year old doesn’t?), but I bet he had a job and knows it well.
An aside: That 5yo chestnut TB gelding they have up there is adorable, and he could use a MAJOR upgrade. A few groceries and he’d be gorgeous!
Good for you, taking one on from the auction. I will say that I don’t really think he is too thin, perhaps needs some more topline muscles, but given that I’m always struggling with chubby horses, I think he looks pretty good.
What gorgeous sweet eyes.
I too have an older ranch horse I picked up. Very easy going guy. What makes him especially wonderful is my life has been a little too complicated since the first of the year and if I get to ride him once a month I am doing well. Doesn’t matter to him–he is just the same horse whether he gets ridden once a month or several times a week.
Please continue to keep us posted on your journey 
Good Morning from Jango!
We just wanted to show off our new halter… I went to the store to get a simple nylon one but somehow he ended up with a lovely leather one with gold trim :lol:
We’re doing great today - he’s eating well, drinking a ton, and taking his antibiotics like a champ. He’s still a mellow dude but I can see some life coming back into his eyes - he’s getting more and more interested in the things that are going on around him.
He’s getting 28 antibiotic pills a day for the respiratory infection :eek: Since we don’t eat grain I’m having to crush them up, mix them with a little water, and deliver them via syringe. He’s so good about it I’m almost positive he’d let me do it without even putting his halter on.
Redmond Dressage, I think you are wonderful for getting this horse. I was really touched when you posted about the light coming back in his eyes. Wishing you many happy years together.
[QUOTE=Zuri;7600781]
Redmond Dressage, I think you are wonderful for getting this horse. I was really touched when you posted about the light coming back in his eyes. Wishing you many happy years together.[/QUOTE]
Agreed! Please keep us updated on his progress. :yes:
“We’re doing great today - he’s eating well, drinking a ton, and taking his antibiotics like a champ. He’s still a mellow dude but I can see some life coming back into his eyes - he’s getting more and more interested in the things that are going on around him.”
I found the same thing with my mare. Within a day or two she was “in the room with you” - an amazing difference to see. She’s been one of the first to poke her head out of her stall ever since, and I love that social nature.
He will be a spoiled prince, I’m sure! Happy to see him land in clover.
Ok - VERY interesting… I posted a summary of what Bluey posted about his possible origins over on the auction horses site… Apparently there is a breeder in the area that produces horses with the Doc Olena lines and (presumably) a lot of them go to cowboys and ranchers out there. There were a number who ran through that auction with the same lines, some with papers and some without. Thanks Bluey, looks like you may have provided me with the key that is unlocking his background!
[QUOTE=RedmondDressage;7600894]
Ok - VERY interesting… I posted a summary of what Bluey posted about his possible origins over on the auction horses site… Apparently there is a breeder in the area that produces horses with the Doc Olena lines and (presumably) a lot of them go to cowboys and ranchers out there. There were a number who ran through that auction with the same lines, some with papers and some without. Thanks Bluey, looks like you may have provided me with the key that is unlocking his background![/QUOTE]
Hope this works to find where he came from.
The breeder probably would like to hear where he is and that he is ok.
More and more fun to have with this, nice that your good deed is turning into such a neat story.
Dang, he’s cute! Good work!
Somebody looks like he has fallen in love— with you! Cute eyes and face. You and he make my day. Good catch, Bluey. Interesting!
Jango is doing so great - his little snot nose is clearing up nicely and he’s just becoming the most attentive little guy. He got a good grooming over the weekend and has decided that grain is some pretty great stuff, so that will help him put some weight on. I think he’s going to be a pretty stout dude once he’s up to his ideal weight. He doesn’t really look thin in the pictures but it really shows in his hips and hing end, particularly when he moves.
We took him for a short little walk up on our road where there are no other horses nearby. He was feeling pretty good so we trotted him out to see if he’s sound and he looked pretty good from the little we asked him to do. He’s a very thoughtful horse. Each time he saw something funny he would quietly stop and stare at it for a very long time, then turn his head back forward and proceed. No spooking, no nervousness at all, he just takes it in and then moves on.
Here are a couple of pictures from his walk and a very short video of him trotting. I don’t know that I would call him a “gorgeous mover” as was said in his description, but he’s most definitely cute
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204076205253749&set=vb.1483180315&type=2&theater
[URL=“http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/jettgirl24/2014-05-302019012_zps20a86737.jpg”]
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/jettgirl24/2014-05-302019012_zps20a86737.jpg
I talked to the breeder over in Eastern WA and he’s not one of her’s. Her opinion was that he is probably appendix but she did say he looks typical of a lot of the type they breed for ranch horses over there. The next couple of weeks are a bit crazy with work and my first show of the season so I think I’ll wait until he’s out of quarantine to send out the hair sample, it’s gonna be fun to see what he is!
Only the middle link worked - he’s so handsome -love the halter.
[QUOTE=RedmondDressage;7604856]
Jango is doing so great - his little snot nose is clearing up nicely and he’s just becoming the most attentive little guy. He got a good grooming over the weekend and has decided that grain is some pretty great stuff, so that will help him put some weight on. I think he’s going to be a pretty stout dude once he’s up to his ideal weight. He doesn’t really look thin in the pictures but it really shows in his hips and hing end, particularly when he moves.
We took him for a short little walk up on our road where there are no other horses nearby. He was feeling pretty good so we trotted him out to see if he’s sound and he looked pretty good from the little we asked him to do. He’s a very thoughtful horse. Each time he saw something funny he would quietly stop and stare at it for a very long time, then turn his head back forward and proceed. No spooking, no nervousness at all, he just takes it in and then moves on.
Here are a couple of pictures from his walk and a very short video of him trotting. I don’t know that I would call him a “gorgeous mover” as was said in his description, but he’s most definitely cute
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204076205253749&set=vb.1483180315&type=2&theater
[URL=“http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/jettgirl24/2014-05-302019012_zps20a86737.jpg”]
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/jettgirl24/2014-05-302019012_zps20a86737.jpg
I talked to the breeder over in Eastern WA and he’s not one of her’s. Her opinion was that he is probably appendix but she did say he looks typical of a lot of the type they breed for ranch horses over there. The next couple of weeks are a bit crazy with work and my first show of the season so I think I’ll wait until he’s out of quarantine to send out the hair sample, it’s gonna be fun to see what he is![/QUOTE]
Ok y’all… I now have a question for you, would love your opinions. Jango is doing great, still has a bit of a cough once in awhile but the snotty nose is almost completely cleared up. The 28 antibiotic pills a day seem to be working!
However, I came out last night to clean his paddock and give him a grooming. When I went to pick his hooves I found that his front legs were pretty stocked up… Not balloons, but noticeably puffy compared to before. There is no heat and I took him for a little walk to check soundness - he does appear sound.
Any thoughts? Just plain old stocking up or should I be concerned about it? I’m inclined to feel like it’s due to lack of room to roam… His paddock is fairly small unfortunately because I just didn’t have another place to properly separate him from my other boys. I’m going to start trying to take him for walks so he can stretch his legs a bit more, I just have to figure out a good route to take him on as I am equally concerned about exposing my neighbors horses to him while he’s on quarantine as I am my own.
Our vet tells us that he rather comes out to see something that could have waited, than wait and have a real problem that could have been solved if he had seen it when it first happened.
Stocking up can be any and all reasons, gravity will win when something else above is not working right.
What may be going on, when we don’t know, that is when vets are called around here.
Your vet may tell you over the phone, knowing the horse now, what it may be and what to do, or want to come out to be sure nothing else is going on.
Does he have a star? It looks unusually similar to a horse(appendix that looked like a TB) we leased out that was sold without permission.
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