Leah
Breed: Quarter Horse
Sex: Mare
DOB: 2006
Height: 15+ hh
Color: Sorrel
Markings: Star
Location: Dripping Springs, TX
Adoption Fee: $100
 

Temperament: Leah is very social and can be extremely sweet.  Being only three, she will react like a youngster if pushed past her comfort level. She has had a lot of pain in her young life and can be aggressive at times as a result.

Physical problems / health issues: Leah was born with a right front club foot.  Her foot never formed well.  The first operation to repair it did not work.  She had a second surgery in Sept., 2008 to release the deep digital flexor tendon that was pulling her foot back up again.  As of January, 2009, the surgery seems to have corrected the tendon problem.  The next stage in her rehab is to help her grow/develop a stronger foot/hoof.  The shape has improved through trimming every two weeks and the sole is beginning to get stronger.  As a result, her pain level seems to have reduced considerably.  We are hoping that she will be pasture sound in the next few months.

Interaction with horses: Middle of the herd.  Gets along well with the other horses.

Interaction with people: Very affectionate with people and seems to prefer them to other horses.  She is a sweetie when she is not in pain.  However, the pain sometimes causes her to explode and so you need to be cautious around her.    

History: At the age of two, Leah was taken to a vet by her owner to be put down because of her club foot.  The vet thought she could be saved with simple surgery and so the breeder donated her to HfH.

Training / abilities: Leah is working on improving her ground manners.  She is young and can be explosive.  This is probably due to two things:  She has not had much chance to be out and run because of her foot.  As a result, she has pent up energy.  She also tends to behave this way when she is in pain. 

Experience level required to work with this horse: Advanced 

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No Reared? Yes, when pushed past her comfort level Kicked? Yes, though it appears to have been more out of exuberance than aggression.   Bitten? Yes, can bite without warning.   Other?

Ground handling: Catch? Yes Lead? Yes  Tie? Yes Trailer? Yes Clip? Unknown Trim Feet? Yes Bathe? Yes, also has had hydro therapy and is very good about going into the stock to do this

Special needs: Currently on MSM and nutritional supplements to help develop her foot.  She will need to be trimmed by a farrier every two weeks to keep her heal low until it is clear that the tendon will not start pulling the foot up again. 

Other comments:  Leah is drop dead gorgeous.  She is highly bred and never really laid back.  Since she will probably never be able to be ridden, she will make a pretty pasture ornament and companion horse.  She is very social and wants to be around people.

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 Leah in your life? Sponsor her through our Virtual Foster program.

Email this site to a friend