Sahara Summer
Breed: Arabian Cross
Sex: Mare
DOB: 1994
Color: Grey
Height: 14.2 hh
Arrival Date: May 2006
Location: Cleveland, TX
Adoption Fee: $500

Temperament: Summer is calm, and she loves attention.

Physical problems / health issues: Summer began developing abscesses in both front feet around the end of August 06. Summer was moved into a private foster home the 1st of October 06 where her diet could be modified and specific rounds of supplement given as well  frequent attention from a natural trim farrier. The 10th of October the vet removed all the sole from both front feet as the infection encapsulated the entire hoof surface on both front feet. Since this time Summer has been on a very strict diet of Safe & Sound and hay only, no grass, as well as several supplements for founder. She has also been seen by a natural trim farrier every four weeks. Summer has been pasture sound since the 1st part of December 06. She will need about another 6 months or so to grow off the rest of the separated hoof. Her prognosis is excellent, and thanks to the watchful eyes of her rescuers this was caught early, and she is recovering well.

Update February 2007: As of her 2/5/07 trim Summer is totally reconnected in both front feet. She is sound and ready to start training. Her feet have not only healed but grown out in a much shorter time frame than originally expected.

Interaction with horses: Summer gets along well with others, she is however at the low end of the herd. She will need to be separated or monitored at feeding time as she is easily pushed away from her food.  We think she likes a smaller pasture with another non-dominant horse.  She is currently with the blind appy who is a little bit bossy and she seems happy where she is and a lot less nervous than when she was with a herd.

Interaction with people: Summer loves attention, she is very curious and will follow you where ever you go. She is not at all fearful. Summer has had little or no training, she has not been hard to catch and halter here but has been in the past. Summer does lead but doesn't know much beyond that and has to be reminded to keep focus on the lead. She does load with some encouragement and walked into the stocks at the vets for her float after only 3 attempts. Summer is still trying to figure out why this guy keep showing up and wanting to hold her legs up one at a time. I guess she figured he came to dance because that is what they do for 30 to 45 minutes. Summer's trim time has improved with every trimming. She went from having to be completely sedated to trim to dancing around a bit. She is a very smart girl and wants to please, she just doesn't know what is expected of her. Summer has bitten on 2 occasions. When she gets frustrated because she doesn't understand what you want from her she will try to bite. Summer gives very obvious warning signs before she gets to that point. She has been corrected both times and has not tried to bite since.

History: Summer was donated in lieu of law enforcement seizure.

Training / abilities: Summer came to us with no training. She is however a very smart girl and the things that have been shown to her she picks up on quickly. She just needs some one to take the time to get her going. She will make a very nice riding horse one day.

Update December 2007:  Summer has now been "lightly backed".  She’s doing very well with it, she just needs someone to get on her and ride quietly.  Still needs lots of training, but she is very sweet.  Not bothered at all about jumping on her back.  We will continue with her training and get her out with another horse.   She still tosses her head a little, but in time, we think she will stop that.  She likes the interaction.  

Experience level required to work with this horse:  Intermediate

Has this horse ever: Bucked? No. Reared? No. Kicked? No. Bitten? Has attempted. Other? N/A

Ground handling: Catch? Yes. Lead? Yes. Tie? No. Trailer? Yes. Clip? Not Known.  Trim Feet? Getting there. Bathe? Will tolerate.

Other comments:  Summer is beautiful and has the personality to match. She has not had much training but obviously not because she is difficult to teach. With some one to work with her every day she will train up nicely. She is so eager to please and be in the presence of people I feel she will make a great horse for some lucky person.

More pictures:

Updated:  January 22, 2008

Adopt: Please contact us regarding adoptions at adoptions@habitatforhorses.org or call 1.866.HFH.LSER (866.434.5737).

Are you unable to adopt but would still like to have Sahara Summer in your life?
Sponsor her through our Virtual Foster program.

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