Ruby is a beautiful Thoroughbred who came to Hanaeleh a few years ago because her owner no longer had the money to feed her. She was losing her ranch and other rescues had taken all of her other horses, but none of them would take Ruby. Ruby’s future was uncertain so Hanaeleh offered to take her and rehabilitate her.
Over the past few years we have rehabilitated Ruby and trained her under saddle. She is a beautiful mover, although she has never been very happy with anything around her ears, so she will put her head up and pretend she is a giraffe whenever we put her bridle on (she also does this when we put on her fly mask as well- she just really doesn’t like anyone near her ears or poll). Thankfully one of the volunteers who enjoys working with her is pretty tall so she doesn’t have any issues tacking her up.
Lisa has been coming out regularly to massage Ruby. She noticed that Ruby was somewhat tense on her left side, which was preventing her from bending well on her right, so we have incorporated “carrot stretches” into her grooming regime in order to help make her more limber.
We also noticed that Ruby was being silly and was slipping while in the paddock with Tamahome and Sapphire, so we put her in a stall next to Grace and Hope so she wouldn’t hurt herself. She still gets to be turned out with them regularly, however, which makes her very happy as she gets to hang out with her bff Sapphire and flirt with Tamahome (who ignores her). She has been doing well barefoot, but we noticed that she moves better in boots, so we put her Old Mac boots on her whenever we work her in the arena. She gets longed and/or ridden a few times a week, and we will sometimes tack her up even when we free longe her in the arena just so she is used to being tacked up regularly.
Ruby has been doing exceptionally well, so it was disheartening a few weeks ago when she kicked out at Grace and Hope and cut her hock open (she was flirting with Hershey). We had to wrap it for a few days,, and we weren’t able to work her for several days, but it’s almost all healed now and she’s back on her regular schedule.
Ruby is up for adoption, but we want to make sure anyone who adopts her is a good fit. Ruby needs an intermediate or advanced rider, and we do not want her jumped at all- she will remain healthy and sound if she is worked on the flat or on trail. She has a lot of energy, even at 19, and is happiest when she is worked everyday. Thankfully Ruby has wonderful volunteers who love to work with her!
Ruby would LOVE a sponsor. Did you know that you can sponsor her for as little as $10/month? Click here to learn more and sign up!
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Read the touching story of Ulysses, who was rescued just in time! Learn how his rescue saved another horse & how he's transformed with proper food and lots of love.
