Harry is a 14hh Kaimanawa Colt, aged approx 4yrs old from what we can guesstimate. He was dropped off here in Auckland, NZ, late June 2007 along with 4 other babies from the muster. These wild/feral horses live in the central north island, and every year approx 100 are rounded up and new homes are found for them. Those that don't find homes (generally the older colts or injured/elderly ones) are sent to slaughter.
The day Harry and his friends were dropped off here, it was all a bit much for him and he promptly jumped out of the roundpen. No mean feat, given that its about a 5ft wall! He was quickly enticed back around through a neighbours paddock, by following another of my horses. Thank goodness for that. I was not here when this happened, so only found out about it after the fact. Apparantly he got his knees up so thats great to hear lol.
After two months all his buddies had gone off to their new homes. His buddies were all around 9-18months old at a guess. There were 3 fillies and one small colt. These 4 are all doing very well in their new homes and are well adjusted members of their respected families.
Harry was let out into a small paddock once his friends had left town, and he enjoyed this freedom after being in the stall/roundpen for 2 months. He soon learnt what electric fences are, and kept well away.
I soon found someone to come in daily to handle Harry. Chris from Galaxy Equine has had no prior experience with Kaimanawa's as such, but stands and breeds from his own pony stallions, and also has broken in many in the past.
Chris has the patience of a saint and spent over a month coming in daily to patiently work with Harry in the roundpen. He was able to get to the stage where Harry would stand and allow the lariat over his head and neck and around his nose. He doens't mind towels etc being put on his back, and will stand rock still while being touched (using a very long stick) all over his body and legs.
He won't allow a hand to touch him, but the stick is ok.
Unfortunately Chris went away for work, and so Harry has been left since then. This blog is going to cover the next few weeks of having Harry back on his own and in the pony stable to get him dependant on me and hopefully we can make some more progress.
I want to have him halter trained, and able to be gelded - number one priority! He isn't at all interested in mares, but no male on this property needs to have balls!!! My husband better watch out....
So...here we go...the blog of Harry ;-)
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