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| "Umm, rumor has it there are apples in here for good horses" |
Mr. O’ Grady had a little exercise on Saturday, too. I’m so
impressed with how well he is doing and how far he’s come since my daughter
took him in. Grady is a big guy, at least 18 hands or maybe more; we’ve
never taken a measurement. He is one of the sweetest horses we’ve ever
met, with a heart as big as he is.
He does have shivers but with the proper care and maintenance he’s
doing very well. After letting his feet grow naturally and some
corrective shoeing he travels much better than when we got him. My
daughter has also done extensive work on retraining him. When Grady first
arrived here he was very nervous, worried and stiff to ride. Now he’s as easy
going, relaxed and goofy as the rest of the herd, and seems to enjoy his job
for the first time, too. I really like this wonderful horse.
It just goes to show you that any horse who is given the time to trust
you can become the horse he wants to be, not the horse he’s been told he is.
Until next time
Quote for Today
The horse through all its trials has preserved the sweetness of
paradise in its blood.
- Johannes Jensen |
He looks very sweet. Is shivers something that is more common in certain breeds?
ReplyDeleteHe's a big sweetheart. I looked up some info from the University of Minnesota and found this:
DeleteThe syndrome principally affects the draft horse breeds. Shivers has been also reported in Warmbloods and Warmblood crossbreds, and occasionally in lighter breeds of horses, including light harness horses, hunters, hunter-jumpers, hacks, Quarter Horses, and Thoroughbreds. In ponies, shivers is considered uncommon to rare. The condition develops slowly and can occur at any age with reports in horses as young as one to two years of age. In a recent study on Belgian draft horses, no significant difference was observed in the age and sex distribution of horses with shivers from horses without shivers.
Many horses that hold a hind limb flexed and tremble are said to have Shivers. However, many disorders can create irritation in the hind limbs of horses and cause this type of sign. The classic disease called Shivers is a neuromuscular disease in horses that is characterized by trembling of the tail while held erect, trembling of the thigh muscles and a flexed and trembling hind limb. It occurs most frequently in the draft horse breeds, but is documented in warmbloods, harness horses and other breeds. One study of the prevalence of Shivers in Belgian Draft Horses found that 19% of horses examined had signs of Shivers. No investigation into estimates of the prevalence of Shivers in other breeds exists, although anecdotal evidence suggests it is much less common in non-draft horse breeds
The quotation selected is so perfect for him. Where do you find them?
ReplyDeleteYears ago I found a web site with lots of quotes and so I printed them all out. When I started this blog in 2007 I thought it would be a nice touch to add quotes at the end of my posts. A lot of people must have thought it was a good idea too. When I started no one had quotes but now there seems to be many who do. There are also books you can buy with horse quotes too, I have one of them.
DeleteLook at that handsome boy - so glad he is doing well. Now I need a Nate update. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, he is doing so much better than when we first got him. Nate is doing well too. J. rode him last weekend and he was a little silly but he's feeling good these days.
DeleteWhat a lovely, kind face!
ReplyDeleteHe is very sweet and kind.
DeleteWhat a sweet boy. Hope the rumor about the apples was true! ;D
ReplyDeleteThe rumor about apples was never in doubt. He got a few stud muffins too.
DeleteMr. O'Grady is a knockout! Kudos to your daughter for taking it slow with him...what a difference it makes. Sorry Blue gets so much attention from the ticks. All of your horses seem to love people...of course they do have the good life!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt seems that no matter what their personalities are like when they get here they all become very sweet and loveable sooner or later. Of course, they do live the good life, just like yours do!
DeleteHe has such a lovely, sweet face.
ReplyDeleteThanks he's a wonderful horse.
DeleteHe has an old soul in those eyes
ReplyDeleteI agree. He's been through a lot too.
DeleteI see that kind eye and the pricked ears in the direction of apples. Grady is in his heaven and deserves to be with you and the beloved herd.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane. He does seem to be enjoying himself.
DeleteLove the new look. It is so much easier to read. Love that you open your home to some unfortunate horses and have given them the kind and loving care to let them trust enough to show their unique selves. Thank you
ReplyDeleteOver the years I've come to the realization that each horse has its own unique personality. I enjoy watching their personalities emerge once they have enough confidence to just be themselves.
DeleteVery cute! I loved that last line, being the horse he is and not the horse he's been told that he is. Treat a horse right with love, care and understanding and they will move mountains for you! Glad to hear that he has settled in.
ReplyDeleteThanks. He's a good boy.
DeleteWow 18hh -- that's a lot of horse!! And what a lovely face. So glad he found his way to you, and that he's coming along so well :D
ReplyDeleteHe's a big guy. I'm not going to ride him even though my Erik was 17-2 hands and it didn't bother me then. I'm used to Dusty and Blue now.
ReplyDeleteAnd another lucky critter who hit the jackpot :) what a handsome boy! That was a really wonderful update-so nice to hear that he is loved and that you and your daughter found a way to build his confidence and unleash his joy at being a horse :)
ReplyDeleteGrady is just so sweet. I'm glad he's having fun being himself right now.
DeleteHello! I am a horse lover too! I made a website for cowgirls and I would like to share it with you! Check out our horse crazy site at: http://cowgirlsclub.weebly.com/
ReplyDelete