Sonora
Breed: 1/2 Egyptian Arab 1/2 Spanish Mustang
Sex: Mare
DOB: 2002
Height: hh
Color: Champagne dun
Markings:
Location: Hitchcock, TX
Adoption Fee: $500
 

Temperament: Sonora is a very intelligent filly. She likes people and enjoys attention. Like many young horses, she does not like to feel restrained or cornered, and does best when she is allowed to move away if she becomes uncomfortable if being asked to do something new. She is naturally curious and readily approaches new things to check them out.

Physical problems / health issues: Sonora has a scar on the front of her lower right hind leg from a previous injury. It does not affect her. When she jumped the 5 foot fence (see above), she cleared it but had a hard landing on her right side. She has now fully recovered and seems to be completely sound. She has the good feet often seen in Arabians.

Interaction with horses: In May of 2004 when she was turned out in the pasture with two very dominant mares, she was terrified when they chased her. Instead of standing her ground, she panicked and ran. A mare chased Sonora and she tried to jump a five foot pipe fence to get away from the aggressor. She flipped over the fence and landed hard. She is now turned out in a pasture with younger horses and has done well in a situation where she is the dominant horse. As she gains confidence she can probably be turned out with older horses.

Interaction with people:

History: She was seized due to neglect and then released to HfH.

Training / abilities: Sonora is easy to catch, halter and lead. In October 2004 a professional trainer, Jerry Lee Sewell, worked with Sonora in a clinic for starting young horses. She accepted a saddle very easily and was ridden. She moved off of leg cues readily and did not buck. Sonora has a long flowing stride and is suitable for a variety of disciplines. She would make an excellent endurance prospect. The trainer, Jerry Lee Sewell, noted that Sonora is a very intelligent young mare. She very quickly understood what was being asked of her and tried to please. Jerry Lee also noted that Sonora does not like to feel restrained. Any future trainer needs to be aware of this and work with her in a manner that does not force new things on her without giving her the room to move away if she becomes uncomfortable. She handled having a rope around her feet and legs very well during her training session.

Experience level required to work with this horse: For some situations, advanced beginner on the ground. An intermediate or above handler is preferred. She'll need someone experienced in working with young horses or someone willing to send her to a trainer when she's old enough.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? No. Kicked? She has kicked out when she felt cornered. Bitten? She has bitten on a couple of occasions when she was restrained with the lead rope. Other? Like many formerly starved horses, Sonora is protective of her feed. She currently is fed with two younger fillies and does fine as they understand Sonora is more dominant. She has kicked at horses at feeding time so would do best being fed by herself.

Ground handling: Catch? Yes.  Lead? Yes. Tie? Yes. Trailer? Takes some patience and time, and using grain as an incentive helps. Easier with two persons. She should improve with some regular work on this. She has not been loaded in a two horse side-by-side trailer, only a slant load or stock trailer. Clip? Unknown. Trim Feet? Yes. Bathe? No. Sonora is afraid of the water hose. She is gradually becoming accustomed to the sound and feel of fly spray. With regular work she will overcome this quickly.

Special needs: She should not be pastured with any horse that will be aggressive with her. Her unique coloring makes her the "target" of aggression by some horses.

Other comments: Despite her light coloring, Sonora's skin is speckled black and pink. This affords her protection against sunburn She has been turned out in full sun all summer and she has not had any problems with sun burn. Her sire is reported to be Ta Addub, a registered straight Egyptian Arabian stallion. Sonora's dam is a gaited Spanish mustang and registered with the American Indian Horse Association. Sonora is a grand-daughter of Rowdy Yates. Registered with the Horse of the Americas, the American Indian Horse Registry, the Spanish Mustang Registry, and the Southwest Spanish Mustang Association, Rowdy Yates is one of the most decorated stallions within the four registries. He has won the American Indian Horse Hall of Fame and the Spanish Mustang Registry Grande Conquistador, as well as numerous other awards. Rowdy competes in American Indian Horse Association and open shows, gymkhanas, and competitive trail rides and represents his breed at exhibitions and demonstrations. Rowdy even has a Breyer horse model named after him!  Sonora is eligible to be registered at age 3 or 4, but she is not actually registered yet.

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

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