So when I posted last week about looking for a new friend for Mr. P, I admit I did have something already in the works. The Saturday before, my husband and I had driven to a local rescue to see what horses they had available for long-term foster. I liked two of the horses, but one in particular was companion only which meant he probably had less chance of finding a home.
Hi
So we put a halter on him (he was quite nervous and shy about it going on) and I led him away from the group a bit. I picked up one of his feet to see if he was willing (yes but a bit slow to comply). He had a lot of interest in us but was a little unsure. He was sure he wanted the cookies I brought though. I asked the person helping us his name, which she didn’t know. After a text of his picture to someone else, we found out his name was Vinny. We left an application I had completed earlier at home along with the small application fee and headed off in search of a local brewery and then dinner.
I had to share this because it shows my husband taking it all in and possibly wondering if marrying someone horse crazy was a bad idea.
Wednesday, within hours of my blog post, I got a message that we had been approved to take Vinny home. Despite a few moments of what am I doing, I met this horse for all of five minutes, I was able to successfully make plans to not only pick up Vinny this past Sunday but to get Cabby back to the boarding barn as well.
So Sunday morning I got up as usual to feed and turnout, but instead of going back to bed I got the stalls cleaned, ate some breakfast, and got in the car for my husband to drop me off at the barn of the guy who was going to haul the horses for me (incidentally the same guy who trailered Stampede to MSU for me). Less than an hour later we arrived at the rescue. We were slowly going down the driveway and I see a woman trying to catch Vinny which made me a bit more nervous. Plus I got to watch for a while as there were ducks waddling slowly in front of the trailer, lol.
Once we finally parked I headed into the pasture and with some treats, soft words, and slow movements got Vinny’s halter on. Next up – trailer loading. Vinny nicely walked up to the trailer, but then stopped and thought about it for a bit. He wasn’t trying to leave but he wasn’t wanting to move forward either. He sniffed the trailer a bit, did a couple snorts, looked around. I tried using some cookies, but I was starting to wonder if this was going to be difficult. Of course right then some older gentleman walks up and says to try these other treats. I kid you not I fed Vinny one and then he was like yep those are tasty and hopped on the trailer with me. I had been using Mrs. Pastures and these were Purina Nicker Makers. I have no idea what value he saw but clearly he did! He stood calmly to get hooked up and closed in and off we went.
We arrived to a fairly calm horse who after looking around stepped off the trailer nicely. He was a bit unsure about going in the barn and the stall, but a couple clucks from my husband standing behind him and he complied. After getting Cabby loaded and off, we went back out and let the horses out together. Honestly it was pretty hilarious. Vinny just wanted to wander and investigate and P just really wanted to introduce himself. So P was following Vinny all over. They did the occasional trot or canter but in a chill senior horse manner, lol. Within minutes they were just standing together (picture below). After that the old men got a drink and got down to eating hay. Just how I like it!
The first night Vinny was unsure about the stall but was fine with me picking his feet and doing some grooming. Within an hour of lights out he had settled into his hay. In the morning he was bright-eyed and watching me as I came in the door. After a couple treats his halter was on (and it was even easier this morning) and he headed off for another day of eating and hanging out with P.
When I picked Vinny up I did learn a little bit more about him so here’s a full summary of what I know. He ended up at the rescue at least 5 to 6 years ago as part of a large seizure. He’s got some Arab in him, and he’s just a little guy. Maybe large pony sized? I haven’t measured him. The rescue estimated him at between 25 and 30 years old. He is fearful at times but quite curious and food is the way to his heart. He knows his name. He already nickers at me which is just the sweetest. His belly and legs are covered in mud dreads (anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of them when it’s too cold for a bath?), his feet are long, and I’m looking forward to watching him transform as he gets used to his new home.
Belly mud dreads
I just have to thank my husband for being so understanding and willing to let me take on Vinny as a friend for Mr. P. I’m not sure he knew quite how much help he would be providing as I work to slowly introduce Vinny to the Morstone Acres life, but he has done it willingly. Gary didn’t blink at the extra cost in vet and farrier bills that we didn’t have while Cabby was a resident and only wanted P to be safe and happy again. I’m also so thankful that Cabby’s owner was understanding of the situation and just wanted what was best for everyone.
So welcome Vinny! I look forward to making up for whatever bad things the past has held for you and thank you in advance for being a good friend to my best boy Mr. P.
awww what a guy your hubby and I love Vinny! It may be you just brush him as he dries off and that mud stuff will come off as he sheds and then once it warms up a nice warm bath may be in order. I do find that stuff does tend to sluff off after regular brushing starts (Tate had some like that on his fetlocks).I am so happy you found a friend for P and also that by being so small he shouldnt be able to bully P…..Vinny certainly landed in a great place for sure. Congrats!! I love his face!
I got some off with a shedding blade last night but some of the blobs of mud/poop are just so big they don’t even break up. They are completely dry too. A bath would be the best option…I feel like that can’t be comfortable. I will keep working away at it nightly and see what happens. He does seem happy to be groomed. Thank you, I’m so happy it seems to be working out.
I wonder if a tiger’s tongue or one of those bot blocks might help? scissors too? good luck take photos so you have a progression of how it improves! He is adorable i would have wanted him too 🙂
I tried the curry gloves last night and those don’t even touch it. We are supposedly getting up to 61 Sunday so maybe a belly only bath, lol. I do need to take some full body pictures of him for comparisons later on!
Yay! This is so great! Congrats on your new horse. Vinny lucked out!
Thank you, I think he is a great addition to the family.
He’s adorable!
I think so too!
Congrats! Subi had those mud dreds last year. I tried currying, but to be honest? They came off the best as he started shedding. I didn’t push the issued considering how much Subi hated the grooming part at that point, but give it time, they’ll shed out with his coat.
At least it’s not just me. The curry gloves did nothing last night when i tried those. He’s only shedding a little bit so far, which makes sense since he’s been living outside and no blanket. Ernie is the only one shedding so far! I will say he seems to really like grooming.
I found that as long as the hair is long, water didn’t really touch them that easily. It took scrubbing and Subi got agitated as they tore out. But as he shed out, they just fell out. But sensitive chestnut thoroughbred so you might have different results.
Oh man. Good for you for giving this sweet old guy a soft landing. As for the mud dreds, I would try a bucket of warm water and a rag. It will take a long time, but you can do a section at a time without him getting soaked and chilled.
I did see high of 61 Sunday (if it doesn’t change!) so it might be a good day for a belly bath, lol. It appears after my attempt last night they are either coming out with the hair or water and that’s about it! Can’t wait to give him a bath, I’m certain it’s been very many years since he’s had one.
Congrats on Vinnie! He looks so cute <3 I'm with Emily. When I came back from Christmas break (when Amber was still a baby and not mine yet) we'd get really steaming water and dunk a rag in it and then just soak the mud balls. It's best a section at a time, but that's the fastest way I know of to get rid of them!
Thanks, he’s a sweet old guy. This sounds like a fun weekend activity in my spare time, lol. I wish he was shedding more so I felt like I could wait it out but he’s just barely started. It just seems like it can’t be comfortable.
I’m glad they’re getting along! Sounds like the perfect addition to the farm. And over the years, it sounds like your hubs is pretty all in for you and the ponies. And that’s so wonderful!
I think I lucked out with Vinny. We certainly have things we are working on but he’s such a sweet pony. Yes, I’ve been very lucky to have a husband who handles all this horse craziness and parents who are always supportive as well. I do a lot myself but there are definitely times I couldn’t do it without them (for example, right now during tax season!) unless I hired someone to come and help me.
Hello, I am new to your blog and this post caught my eye. Congratulations to you, Mr. P and Vinny! I have also adopted and fostered horses for a local rescue to give my horses companionship at various times over the years. Each experience was different depending upon the horse, but I must say I really recommend adopting/fostering. What a beautiful gift you are giving to Vinny.
Thank you and welcome. I didn’t know anyone closely who had gotten a horse from a rescue so I felt a bit blind going into it. I just tried to assess him as well as I could in his environment and took the chance. I think it’s going to work out well. Honestly I did not fully understand how horses live at a rescue. The minimum care is obviously required to be able to have more horses but it was a bit shocking to me.
I recently wrote a blog post about some of my equine fostering experiences. You might be interested to read it if you have not already. Sounds like we might have some similar experiences in common. The rescues that I have visited try hard to keep their horses safe and provide basic care, but there is just not enough time or volunteers or useful facilities to provide the horses with individualized care. That is great that Vinny is coming along and getting used to everything!
https://mallorcajunocom.wordpress.com/2020/02/26/looking-for-another-horse-this-spring-consider-fostering-or-adopting-your-next-horse/