The new gelding is here. It was a long day. 300 miles round trip to retrieve him and got started at 5:30 AM. For those not aware, he's a 10 YO dark bay Arab cross now named Reno. He's just a tad on the long side of 14.3 hh, same size and general build as Jewel, who he's replacing as my saddle horse since her shoulder injury. Hopefully, her saddles will fit him. He's not accused of having any special talents or vices. The previous owner's kids rode him almost daily and were riding him the day I went to see him. But I was mostly drawn to him because his calm eye and demeanor closely resembled that of little Missy, my client Arab mare from last year.
Right now he's confused and uncertain of his new surroundings. And Big Al absolutely hates him already! It took Al a few minutes to figure out Missy had NOT come back and this was another gelding. GAME ON! Normally shy, nervous and retreating Al spent several hours charging the fence with ears pinned and teeth bared trying to rip the hide off Reno. But the new gelding has calmly stayed just out of reach with no attempts at defending himself... so far. Jewel, on the other hand, just stands at the fence with a "Awe, jeez.... another one?" expression. And even though she has shown little interest in Reno, he will move off his hay next to the fence anytime she approaches but will calmly remain eating when Al is snapping at him.
Reno was kept with two other geldings for 2 years at his last home. He appears a bit wormy to me, his stools are dry as dust from poor quality hay and his teeth need floating. And his feet have had terrible trims. Long toes and heels with over-reaching from the back. My farrier will be here Wednesday or Thursday to start correcting that. He also needs away-from-pressure lessons and is still unsure of me. He doesn't care for peppermints but caught on to oatmeal cookies immediately. Grooming and fly spray are not issues. I haven't tried the clippers yet. I won't be loading up his plate too much for another 24 hours but I do expect to take him on a Poker Ride Sunday.
I took some photos of him this afternoon and promptly deleted them by accident while trying to save them to a file. I'll try again tomorrow after a good night's sleep and post them in the ES gallery. ~FH
