Smokey

We just taped the jingly metal rings on the lunging cavesson down. Because otherwise it's too scary.
Small steps.
Hoping to use it eventually with the tape off for our arena work
 
First time that BOTH of them hurried to come see me.
What difference two months makes.
In the beginning it was difficult to pet him and now you can hug and kiss him.
His spooks have gotten significantly smaller too. He may flinch or take a couple of steps and then turn back around.
No longer the dashing off when scared. I love him so much. I think he likes living with us.

(Excuse the downed trees. We had some tropical storms and need to clean up this week)
 

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He doesn't just look better fed, he looks happy and hopeful!
Jane he's so cute. Very lovable. And he's changing so much.
He waits for me at the goat pen for his hug and pets. I can't believe it was ever challenging to touch him. He's such a cutie.
The hard to catch part also has completely stopped.
You're very in tune with his state.
He's really gone from being so very cautious and suspicious to being curious and expecting nice things to happen
 
Smokey had had his second physio appointment and she feels he's doing great, all sound and getting better all the time.
He's calmed down a lot and with Minnie becoming less needy and more independent Smokey is actually morphing into my cuddlier horse.
I think there's real potential that I really may end up being able to take him on trails by myself at some point
 

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It's interesting to get to know a horse is a different breed. Quarter horse genetics are so set up for creating a lot of muscle.
Hugging him now feels weird. His neck and butt are the most noticable. His butt is bigger than Minnie's.
 
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Good news first. He's continued to change and his face now has a real spirit, stallion of the cimarron vibe to it. Lol.
Last week was the first time when he did the cute droopy bottom lip thing when I scratch his neck.
And I know his voice now. He's been so quiet but he has started nickering. It's low and raspy. Kind of like what you'd imagine from a Smokey.
Face changes attached
 

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Bad news next. He's lame. And pretty severely so. After panicking initially I started putting on hot poultice and he seems already more comfortable.
I've had horses with abcess before but Smokey still feels like a 'horse I don't know' so everything is scarier.
Plus getting Smokey was so easy and fast that it still feels kinda too good to be true.
Like something bad will happen because things just can't be that easy
 

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