Dancing Cloud
Breed: Thoroughbred (Grandson of Zen)
Sex: Gelding
DOB: 1999
Height: 17 hh
Color: Flea Bitten Grey
Markings:
Location: Quinlan, TX
Adoption Fee: $500
 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGJr2FCtP1Y

Temperament: Very sweet when alone with people, but gets excitable easily around other horses. He enjoys being groomed, scratched and petted. He is very cooperative with his handler when picking up his feet.

Physical problems / health issues:  Body Condition: Cloud has filled out nicely. He is no longer skinny, but still needs to develop muscle tone. His throat muscles are noticeably over-developed from cribbing. Dental: His teeth were floated in July of 2008. Cloud still drops a lot of food when he eats. His front teeth are very worn down from cribbing. Hoof Condition:  His hooves are a bit dry and the soles a little thin. Cloud has had one trim at his current foster home (January 2009). My (AANHCP) natural hoof care trimmer said there were some small cracks to watch, but didn’t seem concerned. He is sound at all gaits.

Interaction with horses:  Cloud gets excitable around other horses. He will stop and whinny when he sees other horses when he is being led or lunged. He was gelded in April 2008 (at 9 years old). At his previous foster home, he was reportedly stabled with a 3 year old mule that had also just recently been gelded. I was told they got along fine.  At his current foster home, he plays with the gelding in the next paddock over the fence. He flirts with the mares on the other side of his paddock. Most of the time, he just ignores all the other horses to attend to his cribbing habit.

Interaction with people: Cloud can be pushy and unaware of his handler. He has little respect or awareness of a human’s personal space and boundaries – will bump into you when being led, etc. He will test you at every turn. This is not a beginner’s horse. He is not for someone who is easily intimidated. If you are, he will take advantage of you.

History: Cloud was owned by a man who raised him from a baby. Later in life, he decided he did not have the funds to correctly take care of him, but waited too long to turn him over to someone that could help. Cloud came into Habitat extremely skinny, showing nearly every bone in his body and still “in tact.” He was gelded a week into the organization.

Training / abilities:  Current Level of Training: Cloud works very well in the arena when no other horses are around. When lunging, he responds to clicks, but isn’t real sure of voice commands. At his previous foster home, a western saddle was put on him and he was lunged with success. I was told that he has been ridden at a walk and did not seem to mind someone on his back. He has not been ridden at his current foster home. Potential: Cloud has the promise to be an amazing horse! Because he is big and bold, becoming a hunter/jumper/eventer is a possibility. His movement shows fantastic reach in the front and drive from the rear. He is a beautiful horse to watch. He has a lovely extended trot, like he is floating on air. He does flying lead changes at a canter without the slightest hiccup in his stride.

Experience level required to work with this horse: Experienced.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No Reared? Yes  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: Exercise: Although Cloud is no longer underweight, he will need to be exercised to gain back all of the muscle tone he lost. Training: He can be groomed easily and will lead and lunge. Whether he has been worked much under saddle is unknown.Cribbing: Although the cribbing collar has helped to discourage his habit some, it has not stopped it completely. I will be happy to give his adopter/new foster the Miracle Collar. I would recommend electric wire/fencing to discourage his cribbing habit when he is turned out instead of collars or muzzles.

Other comments:  Cloud is no longer underweight, but now needs to develop muscle tone. His diet should be carefully monitored so that he does not start losing weight again when he is exercising more.  Hopefully, you will be able to cut back on his rations since he is back up to a more normal/healthy weight. THIS HORSE IS NOT AN EASY KEEPER. Cloud is a huge horse with an equally large appetite. I would not recommend that anyone who has limited funds for their feed budget take this horse in. I believe he will always need 2 or 3 times more feed than most other horses his size.

More pictures:

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 Dancing Cloud in your life? Sponsor him through our Virtual Foster program.

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