Vet Checks

So I'm sad to say that I won't be able to continue with the purchase of Corona. Just before we were going to move him to his new home, I had asked our vet to come and perform a pre purchase vet check. It was pretty extensive and they gave him a clean bill of health. Just before we finished up the vet asked if we wanted a blood test to see a snapshot of what his health before we move him. I figured since I would have it done anyways after the move then what could it hurt.

Well his Blood Urea Nitrogen  (BUN) test came back with some abnormalities. It appears that he has 2x the levels of a normal horse his age as well as elevated creatinine & calcium. The doctor explained to me that this means he has decreased kidney function and could lead to kidney and renal failure as well as  dehydration or worse. So this would rule him out for any endurance rides or long workouts in the future.

This just broke my heart. I can handle training issues but this is something I could never fix. Theres a chance he would need dialysis in the near future and I can't sign up for that. Im going to stop by tomorrow and give him my goodbyes. I don't think he is in any danger of not being sold.. he would make a great horse for arena and short trail rides.

Im so glad we got this test...le sigh.

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Pregnant Mare Rescue

I got a chance to stop by PMR over the weekend on my visits with potential horses for adoption. I had the honor to meet Kizmet. She is 5 years old and has the sweetest personality. She came from a pregnant mare facility and was rescued before being placed into service. Shes a nice prospect for someone who is learning to work with natural horsemanship training. Heres a bit more info about this wonderfull Santa Cruz organization:

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Time to update my tack.

I have lots and lots of tack from my previous horses...but everything is over 15 years old. Some of it was salvagable but some of it looks pretty archaic.

So now its time to measure my horse to make sure my saddles, bridals, bits, ect will even fit.

Also came across this awsome illustration of the horses mouth.

Mayhew, Edward, D 1800

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I bought a horse today!

Well not compleatly..theres a 30 day trial period and pending a vet check.

Heres his specs:

Corona is 8yrs. 

Paint Palomino Gelding He is 3/4 quarter horse and 1/4 Arab. 

Stands at 15 hands. 

Nice conformation and good looking. 

Mainly done trails and some ranch work when he was younger. 

Neck reins, very brave on the trail, no spook, sure footed and very willing. 

Great ground manners and very easy to get along with. 

Sigh... im in love.

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Horse Market

So I have been searching for a horse for some time now...and I have come to the conclusion that I dont need anything fancy. Just a horse with good feet, a straight back, and lots of heart. But this has proven to be harder then I could ever imagine. First of all Ive noticed that there are two kinds of horses for sale. Unregistered backyard broodmares and Hunter/Jumper show ponies for big $$$. Where are all the good western trail horses?  Do I have to travel inland for the stock horses?

 When I do find a good looking horse and I decide to contact the owner, I usually get a response like “already sold” or no response at all. There’s got to be a better way to find a quality horse. A big part of me doesn’t want to get scammed either. So I guess theres a combination of cold feet and lack of inventory in my price range. Just like housing.

...I wonder if there’s a correlation.

Here are some of the resources Ive been using:

BEAN - http://www.bayequest.info/
Craigslist

Word of mouth seems to be the best way. Please let me know if you know of a good horse for sale.

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