What's with the right hind legs??

Dani is recovering from a tear in her right hind extensor tendon. Now, Phelps kicked down a couple of fence rails and punctured his hock on a nail. Hundreds of dollars later, he is on SMZ's and bute. Bad horse! :-)

What a cutie though. He is very affectionate and wants to be friends with everyone. He has even sniffed the dogs with curiosity. He meets new people with a manner of hesitant politeness and a desire to please. He wants to do the right thing, but isn't always sure what that might be.

He was trimmed and had his racing shoes pulled on Thursday. He did really well, but had a hard time holding up that sore leg, so Randy only checked it out a bit and left that one to trim when he feels better. Randy said his feet aren't horrible and should transition well to barefoot. They are chipping a little right now, but he doesn't seem to be ouchy without shoes, not even on gravel.

I'm including pics of when I first brought him home. He was scared to get out of the trailer, poor guy, and stayed in there for a couple of hours. I thought he'd come out when he was ready, but he didn't and I was afraid he would lose his courage completely if he didn't get out soon. So, I went back in and helped him out.

He has since ridden in the trailer to the vet and did well. We just need to make sure he always backs out and isn't allowed to turn around.

The "speckles" on his face are from the irrigation that was on as we drove past.

Though his feet don't look too dreadful in this picture, he is way under-run and his toes were incredibly long. He was tripping over them just walking around.

He's thin!

I suppose it's just "racing fit", but, wow, is he skinny. He seems to have plenty of energy as he flits from one horse to the next, trying to make friends. He and Belle seem to have found a comfortable acceptance, other than during feeding times, of course.

He met Kali (Faith's riding teacher) and Les (Kali's fiance) today. He was very brave leaning over Shelby's back to let me touch his face.

When he walks or trots away, he has some wonkiness in his hocks. Les thinks it's due to his horrible feet. I don't disagree. It looks like they "bow" to the sides. Like they are elastic.

My friend, Rocky, sent me a good link for working with OTTBs. Lots of good advice. Kali told me she's worked with an OTTB before and so that gives me hope for the spring. He's such a nice guy.

Horse Phelps photos

And...here he is! He's the one with three socks in the photos with two horses.

Phelps photos

Basically, because I am high on the Olympics, here are more photos of Michael Phelps. We'll have plenty of Phelps the horse to come.

A photo of Phelps; Michael Phelps

Yeah, that's not Nite Hitman. That's actually Michael Phelps.

I can't seem to get the pictures to work here, so will have to wait until I meet him and take my own pictures. Isn't that a super cool photo though?

Waiting to hear from Kerrie as to whether or not he loads. I am not a fan of taking out the divider of the trailer, but certainly will if he is not excited about loading and trailering.

Back to the Olympics. I think the women's beach volleyball final is in progress. Go Kerrie Walsh and Misty Mae-Traenor!!

Saturday is the day!

I am meeting my friend, Kerrie, in Biggs, OR this weekend to pick up Nite Hitman from her. She has been gracious enough to transport many horses for people. I am usually just the layover spot. Now, I get to keep one and he doesn't go anywhere afterward. Well, maybe a trainer next year.

Nite Hitman is going to be a great horse. I have no expectations other than a slightly bejiggity 3 year old gelding. Since I am used to cranky mares, this will be a fun addition to the herd dynamic. We have two geldings currently, but Nite will differ from them both significantly.

One gelding is very old, but my favorite horse ever. I promised him the summer and he is going downhill (metaphorically) quickly. He is a rescue from a feedlot and I think he held on until he knew his job was done. I don't think he's ever had the chance to just relax.

Our other gelding is a 4-year-old Kiger mustang rescue. He was horribly abused, emaciated, and now, after a couple of years of very gentle groundwork, we can get a halter on him every time and he's worn a saddle. He's not easy, but very beautiful, and affectionate once a person has won his trust.

Nite Hitman comes without too much baggage compared to these guys. Maybe he'll be the rush of reality that needs to be injected occasionally into my ragamuffin herd. A pal to hang out with over the fence and play chase with the others. I can't wait to see him run!

Kerrie, thank you for the help with Nite Hitman. He's a gem. I just know it.

* * * * *

I stayed up later than should be allowed on a Sunday night to watch Michael Phelps interview with Bob Costas on TIVO. It was fun to see him evaluate himself on his swims and the elation of the relays all over again. What a great athlete.

The Hitman cometh!

Nite Hitman is a liver chestnut 3-year old TB from Yakima, WA. He was raced and it was decided that he isn't fast enough. The owner did a good deed and, rather than sending him and a couple of buddies directly to auction, allowed a friend of mine to try to place them in homes. We're still working on the buddies, but Nite Hitman will be coming to live with me.

I know...I have plenty of horses without an OTTB to figure out. I think he'll figure himself out in time if he has a few months of nobody messing with his head.

He'll be fine.

Can't figure out how to get the pictures from the email to here... I'll get some downloaded later.

Congratulations Michael Phelps on your amazing 8 Gold medals in one Olympics! You are my (super-cute-little-bare-torso'ed) hero.