Blackie's an old (very old - over 25 years, possibly 30) Walking Horse that Susan rescued from a future (and long
history) of starvation, if any future at all. Word was out that he was actually to be just "put down" or sold to
those that we call "The Killers" - the pet food industry. When we first got him he was thin - really thin. He'd
been cooped up in a very small area with almost no grass and apparently very little of anything else either. He's
very cooperative in most things, until you try to put him in a stall - he goes but he doesn't have to like it one little
bit. His first day with us was spent in the field, with the exception of a couple times we brought him into the
walk-in to show him where his water and grain is. He was very hesitant to go in at first but when he learned that
he could go in and come out again with no interferrence he got a lot better rather fast. As we left him for the
night he was perfectly willing to go in, grab a bit of hay and then come back out to munch. Going to be rather
interesting with this guy.
Anyway, starvation's ended now - he has a future of food, comfort and love, for however long that may be.
history) of starvation, if any future at all. Word was out that he was actually to be just "put down" or sold to
those that we call "The Killers" - the pet food industry. When we first got him he was thin - really thin. He'd
been cooped up in a very small area with almost no grass and apparently very little of anything else either. He's
very cooperative in most things, until you try to put him in a stall - he goes but he doesn't have to like it one little
bit. His first day with us was spent in the field, with the exception of a couple times we brought him into the
walk-in to show him where his water and grain is. He was very hesitant to go in at first but when he learned that
he could go in and come out again with no interferrence he got a lot better rather fast. As we left him for the
night he was perfectly willing to go in, grab a bit of hay and then come back out to munch. Going to be rather
interesting with this guy.
Anyway, starvation's ended now - he has a future of food, comfort and love, for however long that may be.
| Dale & Dave putting up Blackie's temporary corral. |
28 May 02 -- Oh, what a day! Susan and I went out in the early morning to say "hi" and give him some grain. It
worked out that Holly went out just a little bit later and did the same thing - so he got grain twice within about an
hour. Now, this guy's no dummy so when Holly went out again a little bit later - Blackie beat her to the walk-in,
waiting for his third helping (which he DID NOT get). One thing we can definitely say about him, he's easy to
feed!!!
1 June 02 - We spent most of the day out in the field again with our guy - what a wonderful horse he is! When we
got there he actually came right up to the gate and waited for us to drive in. Then he led us right up to the
walk-in, he knew that breakfast was coming soon. All fear/hesitation of the walk-in stall is gone now - the gate is
always open and he knows he can enter and leave as he pleases. We also got a small corral put up for him (about
40x90' of horse-penning fence), in preparation of moving the rest of the guys (and gal) in next weekend. He
hasn't met them yet and, not wanting to take any chances with his rather fragile condition, we're going to separate
them slightly for a few days before we let him mingle with the rest of the family.
worked out that Holly went out just a little bit later and did the same thing - so he got grain twice within about an
hour. Now, this guy's no dummy so when Holly went out again a little bit later - Blackie beat her to the walk-in,
waiting for his third helping (which he DID NOT get). One thing we can definitely say about him, he's easy to
feed!!!
1 June 02 - We spent most of the day out in the field again with our guy - what a wonderful horse he is! When we
got there he actually came right up to the gate and waited for us to drive in. Then he led us right up to the
walk-in, he knew that breakfast was coming soon. All fear/hesitation of the walk-in stall is gone now - the gate is
always open and he knows he can enter and leave as he pleases. We also got a small corral put up for him (about
40x90' of horse-penning fence), in preparation of moving the rest of the guys (and gal) in next weekend. He
hasn't met them yet and, not wanting to take any chances with his rather fragile condition, we're going to separate
them slightly for a few days before we let him mingle with the rest of the family.
4 July 2002 - Well, it's been a month now and time to update the happenings. I was right with thinking he's
wonderful - he's a lot more than that, he's fabulous! Feeding time is a treat for us - he simply walks into his little
corral and waits patiently (unlike the rest of the guys/gal) for his dish. All fear and hesitation over anything has
gone out the window - he trusts us completely and cooperates in everything.
It's getting pretty good with the old guy.
wonderful - he's a lot more than that, he's fabulous! Feeding time is a treat for us - he simply walks into his little
corral and waits patiently (unlike the rest of the guys/gal) for his dish. All fear and hesitation over anything has
gone out the window - he trusts us completely and cooperates in everything.
It's getting pretty good with the old guy.
