Rhythm
Breed: Thoroughbred
Sex: Gelding
DOB: 1997
Height: 16.0 hh
Color: Sorrel
Markings: Stripe, sock on back left
Location: Columbus, TX
Adoption Fee: $400
 

Temperament: Rhythm is a sweet gentle boy that loves attention. He doesn’t have a problem if you walk up to him in a field and pick his feet or pet his ears, he’s just happy with soft voices and sweet pats. On the other hand, he’s scared of any kind of rough or forceful attention. He has been shown harshness in the past and does not need to be reminded of it. He needs to go to a home with lots of love, kindness and patience.

Physical problems / health issues: Rhythm was poorly shod for years; therefore he now has extremely tender feet with soft soles. He has a thin hoof wall and a slightly clubbed front right, so if he is to be shod it needs to be done VERY well. If ridden on hard ground he gets sore quite quickly.

Interaction with horses: He has trouble buddy’ing up to other horses because he is submissive and very insecure, but when he does they are inseparable. He will most likely be at the tail end of the group but still right in there with them. Does not try to pick fights or fight over food. He will stand patiently aside while you pet or feed another horse then bask in the attention when it’s his turn.

Interaction with people: Because of his previous home, Rhythm is very sensitive to your voice, movements and touch. He will be scared of you and disrespect you if you “cowboy” him; therefore he deserves to have a home that will give him gentle and kind treatment. If he is treated with respect and love, he will give you all of his respect and love back in full.

History: Donated around four years ago and was adopted out to a young girl who overworked and the dad that beat him. After that he was confined to a round pen to loss confidence and security in himself. The adoptive home was forced to relinquish him. Rhythm patiently needs to be worked with on unloading from a trailer and going down hills for a previous home had been “dumping” him out of a trailer instead of having the patience to work with him. On top of everything, I believe he was “cinch bound” (cinched tightly for long periods of time) because he has trouble riding under saddle. He rides nicely bareback, so the best thing might be to work up from bareback to a bareback-pad and eventually to a saddle again until he knows that it’s not going to be on there forever.

Training / abilities: Rhythm needs to be ridden on grass, dirt or in an arena for his feet get very sore very quickly on anything hard such as pavement or gravel; therefore trail riding might not be the best thing for him unless its soft ground. Competition riding is out of the question for the same reason. He needs to be strictly ridden for pleasure rides. He listens well to cues and walk, trots and canters nicely when the ground is soft enough.

Experience level required to work with this horse: Beginner to Intermediate.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? No. Kicked? No. Bitten? No. Other?  

Ground handling: Catch? Yes. Lead? Yes. Tie? Yes. Trailer? Needs work on coming out. Clip? Yes. Trim Feet? Yes. Bathe? Yes.

Special needs: His feet need to be watched and cared for constantly. A hoof supplement would perhaps be something good to look into to get them to grow and be stronger. Farrier’s Choice is a good one, but anything with a lot of biotin will work.

Other comments: Treating him gently and with respect is imperative to his physical and mental health. He doesn’t mind at all being showered with love (and treats!) by those around him, in fact I’ve noticed he thrives on it. It helps him to gain a little more of that confidence he is lacking. When he finds his permanent home and bonds with his new family is when Red Rhythm will blossom and show us the horse he was really meant to be.

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 Rhythm in your life? Sponsor him through our Virtual Foster program.

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