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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:33:49 GMT -8
Sunny arrived at the ranch in April, 2008. He was an owner surrender. His owner said that he originally came from Montana and the owner before her purchased Sunny for $4,000! He had a bucking issue, and he was sold to the owner who surrendered him for $2,000. That owner could never get him to stop bucking under saddle. She told me that if they could keep him from bucking for the first two minutes once they got on, he was good to ride the rest of the day. He is supposed to be a trail horse with extensive experience - crossing water, bridges, logs, etc. Sunny also had a hoof injury where he caught his foot in some wire. This accident ripped off a good portion of his inside hoof wall. I expect him to be sound eventually, but it is going to take awhile for him to grow out his hoof again. When Sunny arrived, I palpated his back to see if it was sore and might be the cause of the bucking. I gently squeezed behind his withers, and the poor boy's knees literally buckled and he almost went down!  His withers and back were so sore that just me moving my hand there made his eyes go wide. I did an adjustment from the tail forward on him, and when I did it, his spine cracked all the way from the tail to the withers. He immediately licked and chewed, and his eyes went soft. I continued to do some energy work on his back, withers, and ribs for the next few months.  |
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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:35:34 GMT -8
Summer changes - 2008 « Thread Started on Apr 23, 2009, 6:47am » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the summer of 2008, we decided to see if he could tolerate a rider. We were able to ride him 4 times for short periods over the summer and there was no bucking with the rider. We did discover that if you push him or put too much pressure on him, he will revert back to bucking as a fear response. His hoof is growing out nicely. He is having days of soundness in between trims, so I think he is making good progress! Here are some pictures of Sunny during the summer of 2008.    |
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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:37:22 GMT -8
Hoof Injury Pictures & DAPPLES! « Thread Started on Apr 23, 2009, 7:09am » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunny is still doing well and still growing out a new hoof. He has the most bodacious dapples of any palomino I have ever seen. He is trotting, cantering, and bucking well now, and only limping the first couple weeks after he is trimmed. As the hoof grows out, he gets more sound. Here are some pictures from October, 2008.     |
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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:39:09 GMT -8
A visit from the dentist
« Thread Started on May 1, 2009, 8:05am »
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Sunny saw our equine dentist last week in preparation for his going to the trainer's to be restarted under saddle. I was told that he was 11 years old when I got him. The dentist said he has a 10 year old mouth, so it is good to know we are right on target, and he is actually a little younger than what we expected.
He had some sharp points, and his canine teeth were getting a bit long. So, the dentist balanced all his molars, took the sharp points off, and then cut down and smoothed his canines. He also needed some attention in balancing his incisors (front teeth).
That is one thing I love about equine dentists, instead of just a "float" - they address the entire mouth and make sure it all works to the best efficiency possible for the horse.
The dentist finished up with a complimentary sheath cleaning. So, Sunny is clean as a whistle and ready for training now.
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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:40:27 GMT -8
Adoption Pending!
« Thread Started on May 1, 2009, 7:56am »
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Sunny has an adoption pending! I took him to my trainer in Ellensburg last week for a refresher 30 days under saddle. He has been sound at the walk, trot, and canter in pasture for several weeks now, so it was time to start addressing his fear of being ridden due to the extremely sore back he had when he arrived.
He was able to arrive in time to receive several days worth of body work during the horse health Apprentice program that I took 2 years ago. Sunny has become reactive to new people touching him and new places, because of his pain issues. The Apprentice program was very good for him, because several people handled him and did body work on him.
Sunny is such a complete and total sweetie. I truly hope that he is able to overcome his apprehension about humans touching him and learning that he can be ridden without it causing him pain. If he can overcome, he has a lovely home waiting for him with huge pastures and someone that will love him like crazy.
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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:41:57 GMT -8
Training is going well!
« Thread Started on May 24, 2009, 8:45am »
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I spoke with Sunny's trainer yesterday about his progress. He is doing very well, and has not bucked! She said that she can sometimes feel him getting tight, so she puts him into a really tight circle until he changes his mind. Then, they move off again.
She is riding him "bio-mechanically" correct, and it is really strengthening the muscles in his back and giving him new muscle memory for carrying a rider. She said that his back is actually changing shape, and becoming more flat (rather than slightly dipped).
The trainer took him on a short trail ride down the road they live on and said he is very handy with his feet. He crossed a ditch calmly, and sure footed. He also has had some good training, because he knows his leads and takes them on cue.
All in all, Sunny is doing great! He will be going to his new home as soon as he finishes up the training. I'm going to make a trip down to see him soon, and will take lots of pictures then.
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Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jul 8, 2009 21:45:20 GMT -8
Training update with Pictures! « Thread Started on Jun 7, 2009, 9:43am » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I went down to visit Sunny in training yesterday. I am really proud of him. He is doing walk, trot, canter with a rider. He is so freakin' cute under saddle, it's ridiculous! His trainer feels he is a naturally cold-backed horse, so his new owner will need to warm him up with the saddle on before she rides. Sunny wants to be good and will try his heart out for his person. His hoof is still rehabilitating, but he is moving well on it. The farrier put shoes on and put an epoxy type material on his hoof to fill in for the missing hoof wall. It seems to be helping, and he is moving much better with these adjustments. Here are some pictures from yesterday:      Bath time!  Here is a video of Sunny being ridden. Sorry for the poor quality. I am really needing a new camera.  |
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Post by hootie4me on Jul 9, 2009 8:55:07 GMT -8
Sunny is gorgeous! WOw, that foot was really ugly, poor boy. Glad to hear he is doing so well in training, and has a great new home.
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His withers and back were so sore that just me moving my hand there made his eyes go wide. 
