We were finally able to pick up the two new rescues today and they've added some missing color to the herd already.
Everyone, meet Chessy and his mother, Duchess.
Duchess is a 24 year old Arabian. She has a large tumor on her anus and needs a few pounds, but otherwise she's an incredibly sweet horse. Due to her age and the tumor she will spend the rest of her days here at Horse Haven Holler. Next time Doc is out I'll ask him to look her over and make sure she's not in any pain. Hopefully the tumor is benign, and it obviously isn't keeping her from pooping or she'd be dead already. The family that gave her up said that she's had it for many years without problem.
Chessy is about 10 or 11 years old. He's out of Duchess, by a Tennessee Walker stallion. And lemme tell ya, that boy can move! He's also very handsome and seems to know it.
Duchess is just too cute for words.
The two have lived by themselves in the same place for most their lives, so being tossed in with our herd has been a culture shock. For at least 20 minutes anyway. Lieutenant Gentry has made it is mission to keep Chessy away from the rest of the mares. Gentry lets them eat as long as it's not too close to the rest of the herd. The rest of the herd really couldn't care less about the pair. After a few minutes of introduction and cantering around the pasture, everyone has settled back down to the important things in life --eating, pooping, and napping.
I'm sure by the time we get up tomorrow, everyone will be eating together peacefully. I'll let Chessy settle in for a week, then get on him next weekend for evaluation. If he turns out to be decent under saddle, he's already got a home with Mandy. Duchess will start a regimen of Equine Senior and both will go on Strongid C for awhile. It's been quite awhile since either have been wormed or had their teeth floated, so they'll be next on the "float" list the next time Doc comes out.
We drove four hours each way to pick these two up. Have I mentioned that Bessie truck doesn't have a working radio? At one point we were so bored we were trying to sing Row Row Row Your Boat in a round. I never knew rescuing could be so much fun.
