We drove out to check on Eugene on Saturday. He’s doing well. The trainer put one of her horses in with him and he was clearly in deep bromance with his new buddy. The trainer was concerned that Eugene had seemed a bit off on his one back leg. I didn’t get a close-up picture, but his trim job is a nightmare. Not a single hoof is the same size or shape and the one he was off on was the worst. It seriously looked like a lesson in how not to trim a horse’s hood – upright heels and long toe.
He was only slightly off; more of a slight float to that stride. We approved a vet check and – in typical horse fashion – he was totally sound for the vet. The vet did say his back was tender so the Chiro will be out. We’ve also scheduled our farrier to go fix his feet. I remember he looked weird in his youtube video, but he looked sound the day of the sale. And he looked sound for the vet on Monday, so who knows. We’ll keep an eye on it and he’ll be returned if he can’t stay sound.
While we were there, my husband led his buddy, Rocky around the property while the trainer led Eugene. They wandered all over checking out scary things like – gasp – another horse being ridden in the field. And even more gasp worthy, me standing somewhere unexpected. He behaved himself, but was just very concerned.
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| OMG there’s a horse being ridden in the field |
The trainer – and her husband who also does training though he’s not primary on Eugene – both really like him, so here’s hoping he works out.
He looks deeply concerned about a horse being ridden in another field, lol! I hope you're able to sort out his soundness issue- hopefully it's very minor and easily fixed!
Everything is crossed for his tootsies! Poor guy. He sure looks like a noble fellow though.
Hopefully the nqr (and maybe his back) is related to him compensating for the bad trim. You get him sorted out. I'm looking forward to following his story. When I first got back into riding I spent years riding a couple of mares who are the east coast equivalent of mustangs – Banker ponies. Once you earn their trust they are superb partners. 😀
I hope all these issues get sorted out! He seems like a nice guy. I'm looking forward to reading updates.
I agree with CFS- having poorly trimmed and mismatched feet could easily lead to back trouble. Some of the western saddles looked old too so might not have fit him well.
I like a horse that's checking out his environment but not a basket case. It bodes well for him.
So they take him back if he's not sound? is there a time frame? what happens to them? So many questions. lol
I don't actually know what happens to them and I can't find the return policy online, but it was on our bidding card. We'd have to email our contact about it, but I do remember it has to be serious and it has to be a precondition.
I was hoping for a Eugene update. He's a very handsome boy. It sounds like he's adjusting well to life on the 'outside'. Will you send pictures back to his inmate trainer?
We're not able to send anything directly to his trainer, but the prison does keep a wall of pictures so if we send them one, they'll put it up. I think we'll wait and get one of him doing something like a trail ride or a show.
Jingles for continued improvement!