NEWS & ARTICLES : Micco's Story, Part 1

Micco's Story, Part 1 (originally published in PetFolio magazine)

In this two-part story, we examine the makeover of a "monster" horse…

I have never received a more frantic phone call for a static situation! "We're going to have to put this horse down if you don't help us!" was the nutshell story.

Micco, was a 3 year old Paint gelding, purchased as a first horse for a 17-year-old girl. Housed in a 12' x 18' (approx.) stall without outdoor access, multiple "trainers" had labeled him "proud cut", "rogue", "dangerous", "vicious" etc. The barn manager demands his departure – in any way necessary (remove or euthanize).

Behavior: raised head, pinned ears and rolled eyes at anyone nearby; biting; kicking; charged and attacked occasionally; refusal to pick up feet, possible lameness led to treatment for EPM* without positive results; no longer ridden, rarely led due to danger while handling; frequently reared and struck plus bolted while being led. He had reportedly injured stall workers during routine feeding and cleaning.

When I first met Micco, I raised my hand to rub his forehead (his muzzle was off limits – he had already shown me his teeth and busy lips while I had let him smell me). He raised his head and rolled his eyes, his ears were occasionally pinning at me. I simply held my hand in the air in one location until his head movement stopped, then placed it quietly on his forehead. He immediately tried to "flip" it off, so I slid my hand to the bridge of his nose, where I applied a little pressure. The moment he thought of lowering his head and being still, I stroked and spoke softly to him, then repeated the procedure. Within a few moments, I felt I could enter his stall. As I opened the door, I asked him to back up and allow me to enter. He resisted, and I just waited as I asked with gentle pressure on the bridge of his nose. As soon as he complied, I stroked down his nose and verbally praised him. He was obviously confused. His eyes were worried, and his ears flicked back and forth in bewilderment. I observed that, but then slowly rubbed his body, asking him to lift each foot as I got to it. He seemed to feel okay about this, so there was no problem.

Within five minutes or so of entering his stall, I felt it was safe to take him out. I verbally told him what was going to happen, and then simply opened the stall door. His first inclination was to beat me through the doorway. I instantly set him back on his heels with a very strong "hiss and spit", then I led him out. Once outside he questioned his position with me only one time. That was quickly answered in the same way as the departure from his stall, and we calmly walked out to the waiting horse trailer. He looked at the trailer and smelled the floor, and calmly loaded himself inside.

I could not see a dangerous rogue waiting here at all, just a troubled, misunderstood youngster. That was the beginning of "new life" for Micco, and the revelation of what was truly inside – what made him tick. Join us next time for the continuing metamorphosis of Micco…

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