General Health

Score

Score

Maintains weight well

A

Teeth in good condition

Hooves in good condition

A

Overall is Healthy

Explain overall Health: Luvkin is very healthy. He has had much pain during rehab and has been on Bute for a very long time.
Is currently completely off pain meds and is being treated for ulcers. Otherwise, he is very healthy
and doesn't require anything unusual or extra for his diet.

Social Skills

Score

Score

Responds well to people

Gets along with mares

Can touch face

B

Gets along with geldings

Can touch ears

Explain overall socialization: Luvkin appears to have been handled, but not kindly. He was reported to be broke to ride when he cam into the rescue, but has not been confirmed because of his injury. He is slow to trust, but in a permanent loving home, I have no doubt that he will be a great family horse. He is fairly dominant in the herd, but not the boss horse. As he gets older, he may very well be the alpha horse, but not mean.

Ground Manners

Score

Score

Easy to catch

Picks up feet for farrier

Easy to load

C

Easy to Bathe

Easy to halter

Easy to Trim

Easy to lead

Easy to Fly Spray

Ties

Kicks

Explain manners:Luvkin will kick only if he feels threatened or scared. When he is comfortable with his handler, he is fine. He is a bit head shy, but slow movement will win him over. He will take medicine with a syringe, but only if you are very slow and patient. Luvkin has bitten ONCE when he was trying to dominate his handler. Once leadership is established, he is fine. He has also bitten or threatened to bite different helpers around the barn (usually in the back when they aren't looking and ALWAYS when they are on the other side of the panel or fence). For this reason, Luvkin needs to go to an experience horse home.

Riding Skills

Score

Score

Stands while being tacked

Walks

Stands while being mounted

Trots

Easily moves out

Lopes/Canters

Does well on trails

Runs

Does well in arenas

Backs up

Explain overall training:  Training has not been established. Luvkin appears to have been handled in the past….he leads, ties (this hasn't been tested for long periods), and ridden bareback with a lead line for a short distance. Luvkin wants attention…he just doesn't know how to ask yet. He is curious and playful and would be easy to train to do anything. He is very smart and wants to please. Anything new takes him a little time to get used to, but as long as you don't rush him, he "gets" the situation or training or whatever and doesn't forget! He is still young, so will need an experienced handler to be safe. Evaluated by trainer…neck reins VERY well seems to respond to leg pressure. Will NOT back. Was not ridden at a trot or a lope or on a trail, so this is unknown, but personality is one of curiosity, not nervousness or fright, so best guess is that he will prove to be brave and calm on the trail. His only problem may be too much energy at first and because of his leg, he probably needs to learn to be happy at a walk. His leg does not hinder his mobility…he travels all around the pasture with his buddy even kicking up his heels and running at times. He has yet to "race", and runs with caution. The vet said that it will take a full year for the joint to completely fuse. He would be able to carry a light rider at a walk, but trotting and running with a rider is discouraged because it is possible he could stumble and maybe fall with the rider. He has been evaluated by a trainer and he rides great! He neck reins, stops, goes with leg pressure, but refuses to back. This may be from pain from his injury. Once he is completely healed (another 6 to 8 months) it may be a training issue only. This boy is ATHLETIC! He is so balanced and has such grace that I think he will be limited only to avoiding sharp turns and carrying a heavy rider. In other words he will be an awesome trail horse on easy trails with a light rider. I have never seen him stumble for any reason and even though he still favors his right hind leg at times, and doesn't want to back up- even with a lead rope, this horse is super coordinated. He is full of life and certainly needs someone that will give him time to heal and then spend LOTS of time with him in the saddle and on the ground!