Einstein

Einstein is a true smarty-pants! We have introduced tack and a rider’s weight, taking things slowly as he still has some weight and muscle to gain over his back. He has been an absolute gem about everything. He is getting used to the flag work and connects very well to our body language and aids. He is a sensitive guy and he only requires a light amount for “ask” to get the desired response. Volunteer rider Sydney has taken him under her tutelage and he is going to be part of her senior class project. We have also been very happy with his glue on shoes that were donated by farrier Jake Cowden. Einstein was a model horse for the application of the shoes and stood quietly for the preparation of the outer hoof as well as for the glue to “set”. He is moving comfortably with the shoes and we are hopeful that he once he grows his heels out a bit more, perhaps with one more rotation of “glue ons”, we can put a regular set of shoes on him. 

As we’ve gotten to know Einstein better, we’ve come to understand that he’s a pretty amazing horse. When he first arrived at Safe Harbor, after three weeks in Animal Control custody, he was pretty unsure about just about everything, so he spent his first few days acting rather withdrawn, silently observing the bustle of activity around him. But it really didn’t take very long for him to relax and start coming out of his shell. Pretty soon, he started to look like a different horse…not only because he’s been groomed within an inch of his life, as is the standard with all the horses at Safe Harbor, but because the look on his face has softened — and brightened — as he’s begun to open up to his new friends. He looks happy now, and that is a sight to see!

Terry and her training crew figured out pretty quickly that Einstein was well started under saddle, and so he’s being ridden at Safe Harbor on a regular basis. The rides are kept short and non-taxing because he’s still not 100% back to full weight but he seems to be enjoying himself as much as our riders are enjoying him. Here are some videos that show the progress he’s made. In a perfect world, these would be edited together into some semblance of order, but we don’t seem to have the time to do that, so you’ll just have to settle for having them all posted in one place. Enjoy!

First ride

Third ride

First free ride, looking nice and relaxed!

Working at the mounting block, a skill that even well trained horses often need to work on!

Einstein is being restarted as a riding horse at Safe Harbor. So far he’s been very good but we’re taking things slowly because he still needs to gain a bit more weight and muscle. We also had to take some steps to help him be more comfortable on his feet, starting with new glue-on shoes. Big thanks to farrier Jake Cowden for the shoes! Einstein already looks more comfortable!

Sometimes goofy horses just need time to be goofy. But look at how deftly Ivy moves Einstein around the arena.…almost as if he were…a cow? Does Ivy have a secret past as a cutting horse? 

Einstein is a 15 year old Quarter Horse gelding seized by Animal Control for lack of care. He’s already gained about 50 pounds since he was taken from his home, and he’s starting to shed his scruffy starvation coat. His hooves are going to need a lot more care as they were very flared with underrun heels when he came in. The condition of his hooves seem to be having an effect on his movement, he seems pretty stiff and possibly footsore, which hopefully will improve in him. Einstein is a nice boy, very polite, a little unsure about the big changes that have taken place in his life, but he is starting to get a little more confident and friendly. He also has a lot of energy, which is to be expected with good food in his belly. We’re told that he is a riding horse but it will be a while before we can confirm that for ourselves. More to come!