Adopted August 2009

8/21/09:

I just thought you might want to know Rocky has settled in quite well already, I turned him into 3 of the 6 acres, he explored some, quietly then went back to the barn then made another circle slowly. He seems pretty quiet. He ate every morsel of hay last night and drank about 13 gallons of water so at least he is being hydrated and seems quiet and at peace. Bit timid but well settled. He did walk up to me in the corral when I went out to check/feed him today. I did get the 100 g tank filled with water and left him water at the barn till he clearly knows where the 100 g is. So he's doing very well. Moving sound as well. So no ill effects from yesterdays long trip.

8/20/09:

Very pleased when we got home less than an hour ago (we left at 3:30 AM literally - LONG drive up to Republic & back) - that Mike said he definitely had that "Curly" temprament. (This is a COMPLIMENT FOR MIKE to say)
He wasn't to pleased about a halter, no real problem but he avoided a bit at first but then stood and from there I absolutely could not fault his manners. He lead where you wanted him to go, he loaded easily, did NOT try to get out of the trailer ever (some do), you could walk right past him in the stock trailer (he was somewhat close to side where I was and didn't know to move over - nobody taught him yet) and no problems walking past.
He did change directions and look around the first few miles NOT frantic, Never frantic, He only neighed at other horses think twice. He rode in the trailer very well and had no problems with the curves and coming up the Keller hill is a real doozie with hairpin turns, switchbacks and a steep rise in elevation for a couple miles - he wasn't scared when we crossed the SMALL keller ferry (it's part of the actual highway - they chose a ferry over a bridge) - we caught the very first ferry across this morning we got there about 5 min before it opened. He did LOOK at the water all the way across but he didn't react to it just looked wondering what all that water was, think that was a very new experience but he didnt' get upset. Or if he did hid it well. When we drove on the Ferrym, the Ferry listed just a tad to that side - they put us on one side because a big 5th wheel w pickup was loaded with us - once it was on leveled out.
When we got home unlike many horses I've owned that just moved somewhere he politely stood at the front of the trailer and waited to be "invited" I got in and he did come to me when I urged him, turning and waiting for me to indicate what to do, he unloaded easily NOT rushing, just slowly, carefully coming out and stood well, he lead from the house to the barn well never once trying to walk on me (between 1/8 & 1/4 mile) and he wasn't keen on the big metal gate but even so he just did a double take and didn't crowd me. He was good about the corral. We left him with lots of water, fresh hay. Will keep him in a day or probably 2 then show him the cliff and around the fence and let him roam then. He was so calm probably could of done that today but for a day or two he can stay there. Made sure when I showed him the water (plastic muck bucket inside a 100 g old water trough) that I rubbed some water on his nose and let him sniff it so he KNEW it was water and showed the hay & oats. He wasn't hungry and not quite ready to drink, exploring, bit leery of the dark stall but inspecting QUIETLY - Mike gave him a handful of oats and he wouldn't leave Mike thinking he had more.