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 Niko
Breed: Appendix
Sex: Gelding
DOB: 1988
Height:
16.2
Color: Sorrel
Markings:
blaze
Location:
Pipe Creek, TX
Adoption Fee:
$100
Temperament:
Very gentle and
easygoing.
Physical problems /
health issues:
Niko has a club foot and
his feet have been
horribly neglected. He
was very lame when he
was surrendered and
could hardly walk.
He
is foundered and is in
recovery. Whatever home
he goes to, he is going
to need special care.
There is no reversing
the founder for now. We
can only freeze it in
time and hope that it
doesn't migrate
further. We are working
on growing new hooves on
the front feet to help
get out all the bruising
that happened before he
came here. He is in
special boots that we
put on every morning at
6:00 and take off every
evening at 6:00. If it
is raining, he doesn't
get to go out until the
mud is dried up. Also,
if he is too sore, I
keep him in the stall
every so often for rest.
It is difficult to pick
up his feet because he
is sore. But, as soon
as we put those boots
on, his day improves
quite a bit and he moves
around pretty well.
Overall, he is a happy
guy!
Interaction with horses:
Niko is very easygoing
and not aggressive with
other horses. He acts
like grandpa to the
younger ones that come
through here. His
presence brings peace to
some of the horses that
come through here. He
is pretty solid minded
and helps them calm down
and relax. We truly are
grateful to him for
doing that!
Interaction with people:
Niko is very sweet and
patient, will do
anything for you
History:
Training / abilities:
He was a racehorse at
one time. His former
owner had him out in a
large pasture with no
veterinary or hoof
care. He was very
emaciated and very lame
but is improving.
Experience level
required to work with
this horse:
beginner
Has this horse ever:
Bucked? No
Reared? No Kicked?
No Bitten? No
Other?
Ground handling:
Catch? Yes Lead?
Yes Tie? Yes Trailer?
Yes Clip? Unknown Trim
Feet? Yes Bathe? Yes
Special needs:
Niko’s feet will always
have to be monitored; he
will require days of
stall rest at times. He
will need protection and
a dry place when it
rains - if not he will
have another relapse.
There will be times he
will have to be in boa
boots with lily pads if
he relapses; he will
have to have special
farrier care. When he
is doing well, he can be
turned out during the
day, but must be allowed
a safe place to relax.
He enjoys his days of
being turned out and
gets around the pasture.
He isn't on senior feed
- just oats mostly. His
diet has to be monitored
for the carbs because
that can add to the
founder issues.
He isn't that difficult
to take care of. But he
is definitely not the
horse you just turn out
to pasture and not
monitor. For an
experienced horse person
who really cares about
their horses and will go
to the extra effort to
make sure they are
comfortable, Niko is not
a difficult case. For a
beginner or someone who
doesn't really have the
time nor desire to
monitor and be close to
their horse, it would be
a little overwhelming.
Other comments:
Super sweet old guy who
is looking for a quiet
retirement home where he
will receive the care he
needs.
More pictures:
 
Updated:
October, 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 Niko in
your life? Sponsor
him through our
Virtual Foster program.
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