Benny
Breed: Paint
Sex: Gelding
DOB: 2000
Weight:
Height: 15 hh
Color: Sorrel overo
Markings: Bald face, stockings on 3
Arrival Date: October 2005
Location: Navasota, TX
Adoption Fee: $100
 

Temperament: Friendly, he readily comes to you in the field/ enjoys the children coming out to the fence to rub on him!  He's a very affectionate horse per his current foster mom.  Very "in your pocket" type. 

Physical problems / health issues:  Benny is not sound.  He has scarring on left rear leg from an old, severe injury.  He is a companion only horse due to the injury to his fetlock.  Arthritic changes are evident, as are bone/joint abnormalities from the trauma (we are not sure what caused it).  It's considered a Grade III-V lameness with extensive osteoarthritic changes.

Before being donated to the organization, Benny was diagnosed with EPM (Summer 2005) after he was purchased at auction.  He was treated with the EPM drug, Marquis, and was pronounced ready to begin reconditioning work by his foster family's vet.  They had been riding him some and he was adopted out as a light riding horse who would recover from the affects of the EPM with time to reconnect the neuropathways. 

He recently was found down in the pasture and his adoptive family did some diagnostics on him and discovered the severity of the old leg injury.  We believe that the EPM diagnosis was inaccurate and that he still suffers from the trauma to his rear left.  There was evidence of some re-injury, possibly to some soft tissue in the area as well. There was significant swelling.  Benny was relinquished by his adoptive family as they had adopted him as a rideable horse.  He's a sweetheart though and they only want the best for him, so will continue to foster him until a good companion only home is found.

Interaction with horses: He's getting along well with a mare, though does get anxious when she's taken away.  He would not do well as an only horse and can be insecure without other equines around.  Any adopter is going to need to build a bond with him so he can feel secure.

Interaction with people:

History: Purchased at auction for a pleasure horse, then diagnosed with EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis).  He was treated and then assessed under saddle and proved too much for the family. They donated him in hopes that he would find a more suitable level of rider.

Training / abilities: Companion only, Benny will never be sound for riding.

Experience level required to work with this horse: Advanced Beginner.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? No. Kicked? No. Bitten? No. Other? No.

Ground handling: Catch? Yes. Lead? Yes. Tie? Yes. Trailer? Yes. Clip? Unknown. Trim Feet? Yes. Bathe? Yes.

Special needs:

Other comments: Benny is a great looking horse, young and healthy.  He just cannot be ridden due to the fetlock injury.  But, he would make super companion horse for anyone, gets along good with others and is a joy to have around.  Easy on the eyes too!

More pictures:

Adopt: Please contact us regarding adoptions at adoptions@habitatforhorses.org or call 1.866.HFH.LSER(866.434.5737).

Are you unable to adopt but would still like to have Benny in your life? Sponsor him through our Virtual Foster program.

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