Dobbin

age: approx. 24 years old
sex: gelding
breed: QH Type/Appy
color: chestnut
height: 14.2 hh

Purchased by SAFE at the Enumclaw Auction on May 6, 2007

Status: Available for Adoption - Companion only

Located in Monroe, WA
Adoption Fee: Free to a good home

Dobbin is an Appaloosa/QH type chestnut gelding, approx. 14.2 hands high, that was rescued at the Enumclaw auction in May 2007, where SAFE outbid the kill buyer to purchase him for $120. He is approximately 24 years old and was a bit underweight at rescue but quickly put the weight back on. Dobbin has a rather significant swayback which makes him look older than he is, but this is likely to be a conformational defect. He is otherwise in good health -- with some arthritis -- and has a shiny, sleek coat. He is up to date on shots and farrier care and teeth.

When Dobbin was rescued, he was wearing shoes and appeared to have been used as a riding horse. But since he shows signs of both high and low ringbone, he has earned his retirement. He appears to be very well-trained, and is very easy to handle with a "been there, done that" attitude. Dobbin could probably comfortably be used to leadline children, and might be able to do a bit more at some point in the future if given some joint therapy to ease the symptoms of his ringbone.

Foster home update (5/24/07):
"Dobbin is doing great! He is absolutely bomb-proof and so sweet. He is still very tender on his front feet though. I have started him on a joint supplement and moved him up to 3 feedings a day and added beet pulp to his evening meal. I hope he overcomes the tenderness because he is such a wonderful guy. I gave him a bath yesterday when it was so hot and he was such an angel, must be the quarter horse in him. He is such a beautiful copper color."

Vet update (11/13/07):
Dobbin had his teeth floated, and a partial extraction of one tooth.

Foster home update (11/20/07):
"I would of never believed it if I had not seen it for myself!!!! Tonight I brought Dobbin back over from the west 3 acres... he walked faster than me and then got past the gate and halfway to the feed bin for his beet pulp gruel..... He did 1 crow hop and three bucking movements, full butt-up-in-the-air, the whole thing!! The movement was a little stiff but it was full bucking! His landing was rough and his back legs slid in the mud reminding him he is old...the mind said yes yes yes but the butt end said old old old! It was so good to see it!!! He remembers what it is to be a horse!! It warms my heart. [A lot of the time] he just walks around here with his head low and goes really slow at everything, but then he does stuff like this!!! We rejoice everyday when we see he's still up and moving LITERALY... his time may be coming to an end we fear.. but maybe not after the bucking thing tonight we will see. I will as always do my best for him!!!! to his last day....The gracious old man can stay as long as he wants here, He's so funny. Follows me around like a puppy!!!!! I truly wonder what he was like in his prime??? A heck of a good horse, I bet!!!!"

Contact Jaime at jaime@safehorses.org if you are interested in adopting Dobbin.

To read an ongoing discussion about Dobbin and the progress he has made since his rescue, please click HERE.

If you are interested in sponsoring Dobbin, click here to learn more about our sponsorship program.

Please read SAFE's adoption policies prior to submitting an adoption application for any SAFE horses listed on this site. SAFE Adoption Policies can be found HERE. SAFE has a strict no-breeding policy.