Tommy
#177.
Bay TB Gelding. Appx. 16 hands. Appx. 17 - 18?
Tattoo = *29173 or *29178.
(The * is a star? which I am told indicates that he was imported).
This horse
is quite thin, but is putting on weight. Apparently, this horse
is an old show
horse that has sat idle for the last 4-5 years. He was recently
ridden at the
feedlots and was found to be rusty, but still a nice horse. He would
require an Advanced
Intermediate rider. (Tommy, unless his new boy decides to change
that!), a new mome and a new boy all his own! Yes!
Lesly saw
this boy's picture on our website and immediately knew he was
for her! She immediately contacted me and then began remodeling
her back property in order that Tommy have the best accomodations
possible. Her son told her wanted a bay horse and Lesly responded
"That's good, because this horse is a bay!" Things do
happen for a reason! HA!
Thank you
Lesly for being there for Tommy. We eagerly await updates and
pictures to add to the Success Stories on Tier's webpage.
Update 8/21/00
- Well, it's Monday, time for a first week Tommy update.
We are taking
life slow over here.....Don't want to
hurt anyone, especially me.....I'm WAY out of shape...... -)
After observing
Tommy's eating patterns for a week,
I can guess why he
had gotten thin...He takes forever to eat. His feedings
consist of
a can of Equine Sr., a flake of bermuda and a flake
of alfalfa at 6:00am
and 5:00pm. He stretches the hay to last 5 -
6 hours. He must have been
turned out with others for awhile...They got it
first. He has gained this
week already...He looks great. Tommy does not
like to be bothered while he
is eating his
grain...Quite an attitude thing... :-) Looks like the old
owners did
try to take good care of him. I think they
even took the time to have
him "spiffed" up to try to sell him, including
having his teeth done, pulling
his mane, feet aren't too bad...I'd bet they
did not quite know who they
were selling too...Must mean they were just STUPID.
He got a
clean bill from the vet...no old injuries...everything
checks out. Now,
the fun stuff. We have been taking walks along
the trail every evening. Figured
I would get us both loosened up before the
"big ride" day. I have noticed
that he is quite "light footed" as he strides
along the paths. He loves
to do
the jiggy-jog thing that TB's do....especially the
racers...With the chewing
the bit thing (even with just a halter on)
with his head cocked.....Just
like the racers.....
Mike and
I walked him up to the Equestrian center to
turn him out on Friday eve.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE ANIMAL!!! I have not seen such
an effortless extended
trot and canter in a very long time....His feet barely touch the
ground. Wow
is all I can say. He loved visiting the
other horses up there...Now
he knows were
all his "neighbors" live on the way up
there too, he has talked to
them all. He
knows now that he is not "alone" for the time being.
OK, so he
horseperson came out in me...I had to get
on him Sat. morning. Phew! Mind
of his own and ready to go....can feel it in the
reins. We wound up in the
bushes because
we were arguing quietly that he WAS
going down the path to the
trail...I was just about ready to win and a jogger
came popping out of the path
and scared us both....Hense the bushes.... :-) I think some more
turn outs
and lunging are in order before I try that again...-)
I was lucky I did not
wind up on the ground. He would have the upper hand then, huh?
So, he as
earned the nickname "Your Majesty" with us
because of this aloof attitude
and high esteem. Funny thing about that -
Here is another interesting
fact I
traced his Tatoo...Tommy was born on January 25,
1984 in Great Britain. (Makes
him 16 now, good guess!!) The breeder was Dana
Stud Limited. He
was given the name His Highness... Strange I thought,
after calling him "Your
Majesty"
every day for one reason or another. His Mom
was High Hat and Sire was
His Majesty. He
started racing as a 2 year old through 5yrs. 40
starts, 3 wins, 1 second, and
1 third. He made about $54,000. life. He was shipped to the US
in 1987.
Now I sure
would like to know his show record.....I
bet he was darn good at the
looks of him and how he moves (maybe dressage).
After he is more settled in
I'll just have to have someone that is in good shape
ride him for me to see...For
no other reason that to have something for
his brag book. He deserves
it! -)
I will send
a "family" pic once we can get all together
to take it...
Lastly for
now, Tommy wanted me to say a special thanks
to you. He understands that
he had an encounter with a special Angel in you.
Until later!
Love,
Lesly, Mike,
and Tommy
Update 9/21/00
- Well, the "youngster" is coming along just fine...I
can't believe all the remarks I get from the passing riders on
how great he looks now. It's fun! Tommy still does not want to
go play on the trail. I really don't think he has ever been out
on one! I took him up to a trainer a couple of weeks ago to help
try and pinpoint any problems. He was looking mighty stiff to
me to the right and cocked his head funny to the left...Well!
Ah - Ha! He is experiencing quite a bit of pain in one of the
upper quadrants of his neck, right behind the ears, extending
down about 12 inches. No wonder the idea of being ridden is not
one of his favorites. We have been working with some Healing Touch
techniques, some massages and stretching and he is coming along
nicely. He has an appointment with a pretty well known chiropractor
in this area on Oct. 4th. She is coming to do sessions with the
horse and owner maintenance training.
He is thriving
on all of his newly acquired attention. As soon as he hears us
coming out he is right there nickering his welcome. Every night
at nine o'clock he is waiting in the same spot for his "good
night" carrots and apples.
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