Charlie Brown
Breed: Thoroughbred (registered with Jockey Club)
Sex: Gelding
DOB: March 26, 1994
Height: 15.3 hh
Color: Bay
Markings: Star and strip
Location: Copperas Cove, TX
Adoption Fee: $750
 

Temperament: Charlie Brown told his trainer right away that he prefers to be called "Charles".  (He can be a little snobbish, you know).  Charles is way above average in horse intelligence.  He enjoys people and is a willing partner.  He is happiest when being worked on a very regular basis.  Like most ex-racehorses, he has "been there and done that" which makes saddling, grooming, shoeing, etc. very easy.  Because of his personality and intelligence, he would enjoy an owner that wants to pursue some sort of intellectual competition on the flat.  When working at training level dressage moves he is the very happiest and relaxed, willing to please and enjoyable to ride. Charles has a beautiful walk, trot, extended trot and canter that are wonderful to ride.

Physical problems / health issues: He suffers from arthritis in both front knees and has a herniated joint capsule in the front, left knee, however, he is completely sound at a walk, trot and canter. He needs to stay on an MSM/Glucosamine supplement and HfH recommends Activex. He is being shod on his fronts, his hooves are very soft and he tends to get sore, typical TB feet.  At the moment he has a crack in both rear hooves, but they do not seem to be slowing him down.  In spite of his history of arthritis, Charles is a beautiful mover and a wonderful ride.  The only lameness that his trainer has seen was due to several severe abscesses in his front feet that took several shoeing and a lot of foot soaking to get over.  Once they resolved, no lameness and he maintains a regular workout schedule completely sound and athletic.  He is currently putting on weight and muscle.  With a few more months of regular meals and workouts, he will be in top shape.

He has some issue going on with the left side of his back.  When he is groomed or even touched there he paws with his left front or raises his left hind leg in warning.  He is very polite about it and does not kick out he just raises it up, however, do not notice any pain or lameness when mounted or ridden.

Interaction with horses: He gets along with others and is not mean, but does like to get rough at times while playing.

Interaction with people: He is sweet and friendly, especially to anyone willing to rub his head or hold a carrot.

History:

Training / abilities: He was race trained and then had some retraining for pleasure. Charles is very well trained and only for the serious rider.  He has the heart, intelligence and movement to become a dressage competitor.  He requires his rider to have a good seat and steady hands.  He has gotten upset with his trainer when she is tired and riding just a little sloppy.  He reminds her by shaking his head and pulling on the bit.  She corrects herself and the ride resumes beautifully.  Minutes into a warm-up, Charles is working the bit and slobbering which is a state of response difficult to attain in many horses.  He responds beautifully to the subtlest of weight changes and leg aids, therefore will do best with a rider that is experienced and wants to move on to a more advanced horse or go back to competition.  Charles enjoys working and doesn't do well when ridden on slow relaxed trail rides.  He never gets to relax because he wants something to happen!  He enjoys the routine of riding / learning / practicing and being praised a lot.  To him relaxation is a good sweaty workout, long grooming time followed by grazing and several rolls.  He would be happy if every day was like that.  This is why he is looking for a serious rider. Intellectually stimulating work on the flat, dressage preferred.  It will be years of riding with one human before he will adapt well to pleasure trail riding, if ever.  He is a bit ring sour and loves the gate.  

Experience level required to work with this horse: Charles wants an experienced rider with goals.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? Yes, he will sometimes under saddle when too "fresh" or bored - lunging before riding has helped this. Reared? Yes combined with a whirl, under saddle when a white dog ran out of the bushes.  But he immediately went back to work like nothing had happened. Kicked? No. Bitten? No. Other?  

Ground handling: Catch? Yes. Lead? Yes. Tie? Yes. Trailer? He will not load in a small two-horse trailer and can be difficult at times. Jumps right in for feed. Clip? No. Trim Feet? Yes. Bathe? Yes, loves a good bath.  Charles also stands well to have his mane trimmed/pulled and braided.

Special needs: Charlie needs shoeing on rockier ground.

Other comments: Charlie was adopted earlier this year, but was returned due to a poor match. He sustained a possible back injury when he was being loaded into a two-horse (which he hates) and developed some soreness. He was seen by an equine chiropractor and given treatment. His trainer recently massaged him and didn't detect any signs of pain in his back.

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 Charlie Brown in your life? Sponsor him through our Virtual Foster program.

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