Danny Boy is a 9 year-old, 16.3-hand bay Thoroughbred who needs a home! He is an off-the-track-Thoroughbred (OTTB). His registered name is El Huerfano, which means “The Orphan,” because he was an orphaned foal. He is actually a great-grandson of Seattle Slew! (Which means he is related to our lovely Ruby.) He had 53 starts, with 9 wins. You can see his racing history HERE. You can view his pedigree HERE.
He was only retired from racing about six months ago. His owner adopted him from the Monty Roberts training program as a therapy horse, but they misrepresented how long he had been off the track as well as his training level, and he is not a good fit for his current owner or her program. Danny Boy is an incredibly sweet horse, but he needs an experienced rider and handler to finish his training under saddle.
Please note: Danny Boy is NOT at Hanaeleh- we are networking him for the owner. For more information, please contact Heidi: gardarssonheidi@gmail.com
From the owner and trainer:
Danny Boy is a love bug! He nuzzles right up to you and lets you lie down beside him while he snoozes. He has a sweet disposition and is very personable. He loves to play: Grabs the joy ball and swings it up in the air. I’m sure he could be taught to do some tricks!
He is rideable. We have taken him out on the streets in the neighborhood. He has a sharp mind and is not easily spooked at all. He’s green off-the-track and definitely track broke. He will steer and stop but knows absolutely nothing other than walk and trot in the arena. He is unbalanced and very one sided. I have been working on that with massages, chiropractor, exercises, etc. He doesn’t have a solid canter cue. He does not like to lunge. If you do try to round pen, he will end up getting irritated, and will kick out if you insist. I think that stems from not understanding what you want.
Danny Boy is good on the ground and is very trusting, but because of the fact that he needs training his new owner should be either an intermediate or experienced rider/handler. He was an orphan so he is very much “in your space.”
Danny Boy is currently barefoot, and the farrier has already worked wonders. He kept losing shoes, since we were running out of places to nail them back on we ended pulling the shoes and letting him grow a normal foot. I have ground soft enough to let him go barefoot. So, I did. He wore shoes when on the pavement and while riding. He is not wearing shoes any more. His feet were last trimmed August 16th.
He is due to receive his vaccinations and have his teeth floated this month.
He ties very well. He trailers very well. He picks up his feet. He has never stumbled or tripped on me.
He is fed hay 3x per day. He is also fed a mixture of shredded beets, oatmeal, and rice bran.
Danny Boy is good with dogs (I have 7 that are around him all the time). He wants to play with other horses, but wants to be the dominant horse. He is good with kids but moves around a lot. His energy level is too high for therapy with children (I work with special needs children). If I had more room I would not be looking for a good forever home. He’s really a special find.
Although the vet at the Monty Roberts ranch cleared him, he seemed uncomfortable. The vet did a flexion test which he didn’t trot sound out of. He is now on equinox and a joint supplement. And now he is doing zoom zooms in the arena when turned out. I don’t necessarily think he will need to be on that forever. But the strain of the bad shoe job on his joints and tendons leave me to believe he needs to be on it for a while.
Please note: Danny Boy is NOT at Hanaeleh- we are networking him for the owner. If you are interested in Hanaeleh, please contact Heidi: gardarssonheidi@gmail.com
