Dante
Breed: Registered King Ranch Quarter Horse
Sex: Colt
DOB: May 2007
Height: 11 hands should finish around 14
Color: Sorrel
Markings: None
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Adoption Fee: $250
 

Temperament:  Very laid back little colt.  He gets a little nervous when you first start to handle him but he just needs some reinforcement that you love him and he will follow you everywhere.  He nickers to me when he knows it is feeding time and whenever he sees me.  He always comes to me for attention.  When I am in his stall he will put his neck under my arm and curl his body around me for a horsey hug. 

Physical problems / health issues:   As of the end of November 07 Dante had never had human hands on him.  His injury initially appeared to be a degloving situation and that he just needed some time to allow his injury to heal.  After several rounds of antibiotics, it was determined that more was going on with the leg and an xray was performed.  The vet discovered a sequestrium, a bone fragment off of his left front leg and a small fracture on his supporting outside splint bone.  Dante was referred to OSU where it was further determined that a surgery would be needed to remove the splinter and debrise the wound thoroughly.  He had ecoli infection that was trying to enter the bone.  It was determined that for the hospital to work on both the interior and exterior of the leg bone would put too much stress on the leg and we decided to wait to do anything with the exterior splinter.   Dante also had an umbilical hernia and that was repaired prior to opening up his infection.  Dante is responding well to therapy and the interior wound is trying to close.

Dante's prognosis is extremely good.  While this is a serious situation now, because he is young and this is in his big bone, Dante should fully recover and go on for unlimited possibilities.  Since this has not affected his action or his hock, with time, he should fully recover and go on to do whatever is asked of him.  Dante's breeding is exceptional and I can see him going on to be a great performance horse given the right training when he is old enough.

Interaction with horses:  Low in the herd and accepts that position.  Will smack his teeth at the older horses and submit to their herd position.  He escaped from his stall yesterday and was grazing nuzzle to nuzzle with my little Arab mare and seemed real happy to be out. 

Interaction with people:  Really laid back little baby.  I have him in a stall right now as he is healing and he always greets me with a hug and a nuzzle he seeks people for attention.  Considering he was untouchable in November he has come a long way and his ground manners are getting better.

History:  Dante was rescued with his pasture mate Allegra when both were injured on their legs in their home pasture.  The ranch was going to put the babies down and HfH stepped in.

Training / abilities:  I have had a saddle and blanket on Dante and he just looks at you like "What????" and just stands there.  You can lay across him and he is very easy to work with. He is a pocket pony and is easily handled and come to you for attention.  He is so affectionate; he will just wrap himself around you for love and scratches.  Loves to have his eyes rubbed and will rub back in appreciation. 

He can easily be handled on the ground by a beginner as long as the beginner isn't too young.  He will take advantage of young and inexperienced kids, however he responds well to adults and my 9 year old Horse child has not problem working with him.  It will be a year before he can receive much more training and he will need an extended period of time to heal from his surgery.

Experience level required to work with this horse:  Beginner on the ground.  My 9 year old leads him everywhere and he just follows like it is no big deal   He sometimes gets sticky feet when presented with something new but you just talk him through it and he relaxes and moves forward. 

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? Yes (hates aerosol spray..We’re working on that) Kicked? Yes, (but only when he wasn’t warned what you were up to he hasn’t done that lately)  Bitten? No. Other?  

Ground handling: Catch? Yes. Lead? Yes. Tie? Yes. Trailer? Yes (jumps right in both stock and slant load) Clip? Yes. Trim Feet? Yes. Bathe? Yes.

Special needs:  Dante just needs time to grow up and some consistent handling until he is old enough for training.  He will need someone to change his bandage every couple of days so that his wound won’t leave him with too much scaring. 

Other comments:  This little horse has exceptional breeding and temperament and will with his excellent prognosis will go on to be able to do just about anything one would ask of him.  I can’t say enough about how wonderful he is.

More pictures:

Updated:  February, 2008

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

Email this site to a friend