Marca Luna
Breed: Breeding Stock Paint
Sex: Mare
DOB: 1990
Height: 15+ hh
Color: Black bay
Markings: Bald face
Location: Giddings, TX
Adoption Fee: $100
 

Temperament: Marca is somewhat shy.  She can be haltered but by an experienced person.  At times though, Marca will spook and jerk her head in a strange way regardless if she's near her humans or not. Marca Luna has what seems to be a tic. She will shy away from anyone near her.  So, she could easily hit her handler with her head at such times. Her spooking does not seem to be precipitated by anything that can be identified, it is very random. We believe it may be the result of a head trauma, or possibly eye trouble. Her main problem, and it has been happening so slightly, is that she seems to wake up in a different world every day. Some days she will let me stroke her and give her a treat, other days she may just take the treat, or just stand there until I am gone. This, and her aggression to other horses, suggests that a head trauma in her past is likely.

Physical problems / health issues:   Marca has a tendency to sporadically spook in an odd way, so her foster home thought she might have issues with her eyes.  She was assessed by a vet recently who indicated that he could not detect much although she does have cloudy spots (not terribly uncommon in horses her age) in both eyes.  He said that macular degeneration could be one condition that would account for “head shyness”. On a good day, she will allow her head to be handled, if you are slow and she can see your hands. She just has a tendency to be startled and spook at odd times.  There could be slight neurological damage if she had suffered a blow to her head in the past (behind the poll).  We don’t know her history, so are unsure if she suffered such a trauma in her lifetime.   

Interaction with horses: Luna is dangerous to other horses, and needs to be kept on her own. As recent as Nov.2007 she attacked another horse.

Interaction with people: You have to watch her every minute; you cannot take your eyes off her. She has never hurt anyone here, but a person can get hurt from her chasing other horses, or getting too close when she is having the head movement. 

History: Seized and awarded to HfH.

Training / abilities: Marca Luna has very little formal training.  She was assessed for two weeks by a trainer to see what she knew. Marca's biggest issue is that she can throw her head about at times (see health issues section), so any handler needs to be aware of this.  Handlers need to be careful when close to her head in case she does toss it about in her strange way (she jerks her head up and down very fast.  She is best suited as a pasture ornament or a companion.  She can be difficult to halter at times. 

Experience level required to work with this horse: Experienced.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? Yes. Reared? No. Kicked? Yes. Bitten? Other horses, not humans. Other? No.

Ground handling: Catch? Yes, in a confined area. Lead? Yes. Tie? No. Trailer? Yes, though it can take a little while. Clip? No. Trim Feet? Has to be sedated. Bathe? No.

Special needs: Patience.

Other comments: Marca would be an ideal companion - She is so beautiful to watch run in the pasture, head high, tail high. She looks very regal with her black coloring and thick blaze. During the summer she just shines. 

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

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