One Month Down

Well, actually, it has been about a month and a half since Speck and Charley came to Poplar Springs Farm.  I have been somewhat remiss in my update on them, but their progress has continued.  


I had a farrier out last week to trim their feet.  Specks were in good shape, and we chose to wait to trim Charley's in six weeks when he settles down a little more.  As my mother would say, "No need to borrow trouble".   While my farrier could actually touch Charley, he felt that his feet weren't so bad that they could not wait another 6 weeks.  My job will be to continue to work with him;  even more so with the weather cooling down.

I am sure  that you see quite a difference in this guy. His bridle is still on because at
this point, I don't know if I could get it back on if I take it off.  That is also something we will be working on this month.  I do not see any starvation in this guy.  I think he will be a great horse when we can work the skittishness out.

Then there is this guy.  Yep,  you can still see the ribs, but his hip bones are no longer jutting out in the sky and his body all sunken in.  Remember, we had 200 pounds to gain a month ago.  We still have at least a hundred to go.  He gets the best food, all the hay he wants, salt and good water.  He has a very sweet nature and will do most anything for food.  The farrier recommended that I get a horse dentist out to look at him as he is dropping quite a bit of food when he chews.  Hopefully we can get that done in the next 2-3 weeks.


Once Speck is up to speed, I will be moving them in with my other 4 horses.  Speck will keep Sunny, my other old horse, company and help him devise ways to stay out of the limelight and attention of the four younger ones.  


Charley, on the other hand, will receive the come uppance that he is due.  He will have three other horses that are as frisky as he is and he will meet the "little general" who is the shortest of the bunch yet maintains the position of head gelding.  He won't even be the assistant gelding as Midnight continues to hold that position and remind Dillon (aka "little general") that he is just waiting to take his job.  Charley will also learn from this group that he can trust and love his humans.