Last August we were contacted by our veterinarian, who asked us to take Titan. Titan had torn suspensories on both hind legs. He had a long rehab ahead of him, but after his rehab, he would be sound and rideable. We did take Titan, and were faced with at least six months and potentially a year of needing to be hand walked for 15-20 minutes everyday. It did take about a year before we were able to ride Titan, and another few months beyond that before we were able to trot him under saddle. Thankfully, his suspensories did heal, and we are now able to ride him at the walk and trot.
Beyond Titan’s suspensory issues were his fear issues. Before he came to Hanaeleh, he was worked under saddle while still in pain, and he began to associate either being saddled or even being groomed with eventually being in pain. He would sometimes pull back when he was being groomed for no reason. When we saddled him up, he would get upset and throw himself to the ground. When we put him into the trailer, he would go in, but immediately explode back out, mindless of anyone standing behind him.
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- Titan was initially concerned about even getting in the trailer when we got him.
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- Titan was finally confident enough to stand in the trailer with his front feet without bursting back out.
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- Titan realizes that trailers aren’t scary and have good food!
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- Titan happy and relaxed (finally!) in the trailer.
It took many months before Titan realized that we were not going to hurt him, or allow him to be hurt. He now stands nicely when being groomed and for the farrier. He is fine when we saddle him and works well under saddle. Elizabeth spent several days working with Titan in the trailer, allowing him the time he needed to realize that the trailer was not going to hurt him; in fact, the trailer is a great place to eat! He now gets into the trailer and relaxes, taking the opportunity to eat instead of being fearful that pain will ensue.
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- Titan enjoys being groomed by our volunteers.
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- Titan and our social media coordinator, Kathi, showing off his new halter from Teddy’s Twisted Products.
Titan’s personality has also improved since coming to Hanaeleh. When we first took Titan in, he would pin his ears at us, stand in the back of the stall, and was overall a surly boy. Now, Titan will put his head over the stall door and greet anyone who walks by. Before he was introverted and angry; now he is happy and inquisitive. He was even featured as a model for Teddy’s Twisted Products, showing off his custom-made warmblood-sized halter.
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- Megan riding Titan.
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- Emily and Titan.
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- Sapphire and Titan riding around in the arena.
We are still looking for a great home for Titan; he is sound and needs a home where he will not be asked to jump or canter. He enjoys being groomed and ridden around, and loves working at liberty with our volunteers. It has taken several months, but he’s even accepted the sheep and the chickens with aplomb.
To adopt Titan, please fill out our adoption inquiry form >>HERE<<
We will continue to care for Titan until we find a great home for him; until then, we will enjoy spending time with our big, playful boy!