We had a bit of a scare with Quixote this past weekend. When we arrived at the barn that morning, he looked good, and ate his breakfast without a problem. We exercised him, and while he was lazy (as usual), he still looked fine. A few hours later, however, when we went to give him his grain, he refused to eat it, and instead went to the back of his stall and rolled a few times. Sometimes he will lie down, and he after a short nap will come up and eat his grain, but he was breathing heavily and … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Quixote
We rescued Quixote about four years ago. He had been purchased by a family who did not have the ability to work with a horse of his temperament, and quickly became fearful of him. The more difficult he became, the more they left him in his stall. When Hanaeleh took Quixote, he had spent the better part of two years stuck in a small stall. He acted more like a wild horse than a horse who had, only a few years prior, been a three-day event horse and offered for sale at $15,000. It took a while … [Read more...]
Quixote *Helping*
One of the many daily chores we have at Hanaeleh is cleaning up after the horses. While this is currently the job of volunteers, we have been working with the concept of teaching the horses to clean up after themselves. Quixote is currently learning, but with mixed success, as is shown in this video: … [Read more...]
Quixote Rolling
Quixote enjoys a good roll in the arena after being longed today! … [Read more...]
Update: Quixote
It has been a little over a year that we rescued Quixote from neglect. While his previous owners meant well, they were not a good match. Quixote is a very playful boy who needs stimulation and a calm, steady person. Unfortunately, his owners were novices, who quickly became afraid of him, and he stood in a stall for years, languishing and pretty much going crazy. When we took Quixote in, he was crazy... or at least crazed. We tried several different training methods with him before we found … [Read more...]
Trabuco Canyon, CA: Quixote (16 y/o Andalusian/Thoroughbred Gelding)
Quixote: Andalusian/Thoroughbred Cross Age: 16 Discipline: Dressage/Flat Work Rider/Handler: Experienced Temperament: Sensitive, somewhat spooky We took Quixote into our facility in August, 2013. At one time, he was advertised for $15,000 and jumped 3+ feet. His owners had purchased him from a trainer, but he was much too horse for them, and their daughter lost interest. The owners quickly became afraid of him, and left him in the stall for longer and longer periods, until he … [Read more...]