True Spirit
Breed: Pony/QH Cross
Registered?:
Sex: Mare
DOB: 1998
Height: 14+
Color: Chocolate & white
Markings: Paint
Location: Harker Heights, TX
Adoption Fee: $1,000
 

Temperament: Calm

Physical problems / health issues: None known.

Interaction with horses: At the bottom of the herd. Gets along well with other horses and is submissive within the herd. Has shown no aggression towards other horses.

Interaction with people: Good, she seems to be especially drawn to children. She really enjoys just being around them. She will hang around them and follow them everywhere when she’s loose by the barn.

History:

Training / abilities: As far as I could tell she doesn’t have much training. She really needs work on her ground manners, as she is a bit pushy. That’s as far as I was able to get with her. She is with a trainer now and I hope this won’t be an issue when she’s finished.

Experience level required to work with this horse: Advanced right now because it doesn’t seem that she’s had much training, or has forgotten what she had, but she has a cute personality and such a love for the kids that I think once she’s had some good training, she’ll be wonderful for just about anyone.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? Yes, but only in her stall when she was concerned about whether or not we were going to let her out. I worked with her every time she threw a fit in her stall and she quickly overcame this. She’s just fine now, although I don’t think she’d be great in a situation that would require her to spend too much time in a stall.  Kicked? Yes, but only one time when she was in her stall and frightened. I have worked with her back legs and walked behind her many times and she never once offered to kick. Bitten? No. Other?  Spirit is just inexperienced. I don’t think any of her behavior is bad, she just doesn’t know any better and/or has learned that if she pushes people around just a bit, they won’t make her do anything. She hasn’t been made to do much in the past, but her stay with the trainer should change things.

Ground handling: Catch? Spirit is very easy to catch. As soon as she knows we’re coming for her, she’s watching us walk around to the pasture gate and once I get close to her she starts walking towards me. Lead? She needs some work on this, but she can be lead around well enough to get things done. Tie? No problem. Trailer? Could use a little work on this, but she isn’t bad at all just needs a little convincing to get in. Clip? No. Trim Feet? She did pretty well for this. I don’t think it was her favorite thing, but she tolerated it well. Bathe? Not yet. She’s very unsure of the wash rack and water being sprayed on her, but she did tolerate having a few little scrapes washed off. With a little work, I don’t think this will be a problem, I really think she just doesn’t know.

Special needs: She needs a JOB and to be worked fairly consistently. It doesn’t take much to keep her looking good and she seems to stay a little chubby side. She needs regular work to make sure her weight doesn’t ever become an issue.

Other comments: Spirit is a good girl. It’s amazing to watch her interaction with the kids, she really adores them. I believe that with a little work, she’ll be a wonderful horse for someone.

More Photos:

Updated:  September 28, 2007

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

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