Martha
Breed: Grade
Sex: Mare
DOB: 1989
Height: 14.2 hh
Color: Chestnut
Markings: Star
Location: Dumas, TX
Adoption Fee: $500
 

Temperament: Martha is a nice mare who has recently had very good training, both on the ground and under saddle, at her foster home.  She will take advantage of a novice handler at times and is not always consistent in her behavior on the ground.  Changes in her routine can cause her to test her handlers.  She has bonded heavily with her foster family and once her trust is gained, will make a wonderful horse.  She responds best to a structured environment. 

July Update: Martha has done very well in her most recent foster home with some teenagers who ride her, she’s been out on trails, ridden around the yard and is doing super!  Her ideal home would be with a teenage girl with a bit of riding experience, but someone who does not want to ride too hard. 

Physical problems / health issues: Martha has a parrot mouth (overbite) and absolutely must have a dental float every 6 months so that she is comfortable wearing a bridle/bit and has an appropriate grinding surface to process her feed. Martha is sound, except when asked to do too much.  She has a very old injury to her left front that recently flared up after a 6 hour trail ride.  She can do normal pleasure work without a problem (may need shoeing on certain terrain) and would do especially well with arena work in either English or Western.  She’s a very versatile mare.   Her previous foster home did mostly English arena work and Martha was sound.

Interaction with horses: She gets along in a herd and is somewhere in the middle. 

Interaction with people:

History: She was donated to HfH by a member who does private rescue. 

Training / abilities: Martha is well broke to ride and has basic English and Western training.  She picks up her leads, responds to leg cues very well and takes care of her rider in the saddle.  She has enough training that she is not really suited to a rank beginner.  She needs someone that knows something about how to ride and rein.  She can get annoyed if her mouth is pulled on too much. Martha is currently sound for flatwork (walk, trot, canter) and lighter trail riding (couple hours over even terrain, could perhaps do more with shoeing).    

Experience level required to work with this horse: Intermediate to experienced rider. Martha needs someone with confidence in their riding skills.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? Yes, when she first came to her foster home in response to fly spray.  She is now desensitized to this. Kicked? No. Bitten? No. Other? No.

Ground handling: Catch? Yes. Lead? Yes. Tie? Yes. Trailer? Yes. Clip? Yes, once she trusts you. Trim Feet? Yes. Bathe? Yes.

Special needs:

Other comments: Martha was returned to HfH because the adopters skill level did not match up with Martha's and the adopter found her too much under saddle when not in the familiar surroundings of her foster home.  We highly encourage anyone contemplating adopting Martha to take some lessons on her.  Martha went to a show in the Houston area and placed well in a walk/trot class.  She was extremely well behaved and acted better then all of her foster home's "show" horses in and out of the ring.  Martha has also been ridden by a 12 year old at her foster home in an arena and did very well with her aboard.   She was most recently ridden in foster care by a teenaged girl with some riding experience and she behaved very well on trails (always with another horse) as well as when trailered to parks/events for longer rides.  She is a solid little mare and will make someone a great horse if given the chance. Martha has a lot of arena work in both English and Western riding.  She does have some get up and go and my teens loved that about her.  She best suited for older kids, unless more experienced with riding. Martha prefers quiet hands.  One teen at her foster home is a much better rider.  She gives Martha her head and the she can get Martha to do side passes or anything that is asked to do.  The other teen is not quite as good and cannot get her to perform advanced movements.   It really depends on the skill level of the rider on how you can get Martha to respond.  She will need to bond with someone before she trust you.  She’s a perfect pasture horse...no fighting with other horses and no vices. 

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

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