September 27, 2007
Its been such a busy month that I have really fallen behind on the updates. Sam moved out of QT and
in with the other resident male draft horse, Jasper. The match has turned out to be a very good one.
It took them a few weeks to really get to be good friends, but now they are very happily matched.
They share the space very nicely.
Its been such a busy month that I have really fallen behind on the updates. Sam moved out of QT and
in with the other resident male draft horse, Jasper. The match has turned out to be a very good one.
It took them a few weeks to really get to be good friends, but now they are very happily matched.
They share the space very nicely.
September 27, 2007
Sam got hurt the first week in September. It looks like he got cornered, probably in the shelter, he
panicked and really banged up his head. The funny green thing on his head is a frozen towel. He hit
his head so hard that he had some nerve damage along the right side of his head. The cold towel and
hosing helped to bring down the swelling quickly. You can see the numerous scrapes on his head and
neck, poor Sam, I just felt awful for him. It also looks like he cracked the cartilage at the base of his
nose. Sam was an ideal patient. Quiet, allowed us to hose his head and neck for several days.
Gratefully the injuries he suffered have healed nicely, the nerve damage has repaired itself for the
most part.
In the last few weeks Sam has learned to tie and stand quietly for grooming, etc. Hes lunging nicely.
Our goal for the next few weeks is to get him loading himself in the trailer consistently and on his own.
Oh and I almost forgot, Sam has his first real body work session. Barbara Chasteen came out and gave
Sam a great massage. He really needed it, between the trauma of traveling a few thousand miles to get
here, and then being sick for so long, and to finish it off, banging his head and neck up, he was due for
some relief. Sam loved his massage, he leaned into it, he released, he definitely got the concept of
what body work is all about. You would never know to look at him now that just 6 months ago he was
totally untouchable. I'm grateful for every day I get to work with Sam, hes a pleasure to be around.
He's going to make a great riding partner for his person Leeanne.
Sam will be meeting the dentist next week for his first dental. I'll try to get some pictures.
Sam got hurt the first week in September. It looks like he got cornered, probably in the shelter, he
panicked and really banged up his head. The funny green thing on his head is a frozen towel. He hit
his head so hard that he had some nerve damage along the right side of his head. The cold towel and
hosing helped to bring down the swelling quickly. You can see the numerous scrapes on his head and
neck, poor Sam, I just felt awful for him. It also looks like he cracked the cartilage at the base of his
nose. Sam was an ideal patient. Quiet, allowed us to hose his head and neck for several days.
Gratefully the injuries he suffered have healed nicely, the nerve damage has repaired itself for the
most part.
In the last few weeks Sam has learned to tie and stand quietly for grooming, etc. Hes lunging nicely.
Our goal for the next few weeks is to get him loading himself in the trailer consistently and on his own.
Oh and I almost forgot, Sam has his first real body work session. Barbara Chasteen came out and gave
Sam a great massage. He really needed it, between the trauma of traveling a few thousand miles to get
here, and then being sick for so long, and to finish it off, banging his head and neck up, he was due for
some relief. Sam loved his massage, he leaned into it, he released, he definitely got the concept of
what body work is all about. You would never know to look at him now that just 6 months ago he was
totally untouchable. I'm grateful for every day I get to work with Sam, hes a pleasure to be around.
He's going to make a great riding partner for his person Leeanne.
Sam will be meeting the dentist next week for his first dental. I'll try to get some pictures.
November 1, 2007
Sam is doing really well. Hes becoming such a civilized little guy, big guy. We have been working on
more complicated exercises. Hes beginning to side pass down the fence line. Hes learning direction
transitions on the lunge line. Hes wearing the Surcingle most of the time when we work now. He is
still living with Jasper, their relationship seems to still be working well.
November 6, 2007
I have started working Sam at Liberty in the round pen. Hes so animated, I think he far prefers this to
anything else we have done so far.
December 29, 2007
Sam is really growing up. Hes had a huge growth spurt, hes taller, thicker, faster, and more
opinionated. Hes a teenager. His ground work has progressed to PNH level 2 and we are using the
22ft. line. He gets easily bored now, so creativity is a must. He loves working towards targets esp. if
those targets have any kind of treat on them. He had his first dental visit last month, he was a very
good patient. His hooves are looking absolutely amazing and his crooked front right leg is continuing
to straighten, although at this point in his life I think it may be as good as it is going to get, but who
knows.
Sam is doing really well. Hes becoming such a civilized little guy, big guy. We have been working on
more complicated exercises. Hes beginning to side pass down the fence line. Hes learning direction
transitions on the lunge line. Hes wearing the Surcingle most of the time when we work now. He is
still living with Jasper, their relationship seems to still be working well.
November 6, 2007
I have started working Sam at Liberty in the round pen. Hes so animated, I think he far prefers this to
anything else we have done so far.
December 29, 2007
Sam is really growing up. Hes had a huge growth spurt, hes taller, thicker, faster, and more
opinionated. Hes a teenager. His ground work has progressed to PNH level 2 and we are using the
22ft. line. He gets easily bored now, so creativity is a must. He loves working towards targets esp. if
those targets have any kind of treat on them. He had his first dental visit last month, he was a very
good patient. His hooves are looking absolutely amazing and his crooked front right leg is continuing
to straighten, although at this point in his life I think it may be as good as it is going to get, but who
knows.