Whiskey

age: approx. 10-12 years old
sex: mare
breed: Quarter Horse-type
color: dun
height: 15 hh

Donated to SAFE on February 2, 2007 after being re-rescued from a feedlot

Status: AVAILABLE

Located in Monroe WA
Adoption Fee: $1000

Whiskey was purchased from the Yakima feedlot sometime last year as a pregnant mare that was supposedly an ex-bucking horse. She had a filly in her new home and was there for some months, and then given to someone who was intending to buck her again. She apparently did not cut it as a bucking horse, and was promptly dumped back at the feedlot, where she had to be rescued a second time.

We knew very little about her when we took her in, apart from the fact that she had not gotten a lot of care in some time—her feet were in poor shape and she was thin and possibly wormy. (With continued care, she has turned out to be a beautiful, full-bodied mare, with great musculature and lovely dapples.) We were also told she was dangerous, but after several months of training and handlng, we feel that Whiskey is simply a dominant mare who tries to take charge of her situation if she is not handled firmly and carefully. She has proven to be quite a sweetheart with consistent handling. Finally, we were told she had soundness issues in a front foot due to an old injury, but she has continued to move soundly, although she does sometimes stand a little strangely behind, particularly on her left hind.

She does not respect fences, and has taken down a few fences while in foster care and in training. She has also exhibited a talent for jumping, as in "jumping out of her paddock." Therefore we recommend that her adopter have hot wire fencing in order to safely contain her.

Whiskey initially had 120 days of training at Full Circle Ranch in Potlatch ID. She is continuing her training a bit closer to home with Monica Stephens of Natural Horse Savvy www.naturalhorsesavvy.com.

Training update (3/15/07):
"Whiskey is looking a lot better physically, becoming much more gentle and is much easier with a lot of her lessons. She still is bucking with the saddle but it is getting better, I think that she will make it."

Training update (3/26/07):
Updated news about Whiskey as she enters her second month of training. She is picking up all 4 feet, which is good because she is seeing the farrier tomorrow for a trim. She continues to be as sound as she was when she arrived. She is getting along better with other horses, but she's just come into a raging heat, so that is no fun.

She is doing better and better with the saddle on. She is still bucking with the 22' lead rope cinched around her belly but she has decided that the saddle is the lesser of two evils, so she's getting used to it. No more striking or squealing from her. She can stand by the mounting block, accept pressure on the saddle, etc so Angie says she's closer to being ready to be ridden.

She is easy to catch, but a pain to halter, as she can be a bit rude and pushy with her head. This is similar to her initial behavior of trying to be dominant and run over people.

Training update (4/5/07):
Whiskey is doing pretty well. Got her front feet trimmed, she was so perfect for the farrier, that we decided to wait on the hind feet, just to end on such a positive note. He is supposed to be back this week to finish the job. She is wearing a saddle now, coming up to the mounting block, easy to catch, getting easier to halter(still wants to headbutt sometimes), her weight is excellent, and she has stayed as sound as she can be. I don't think she will ever be 'easy'. She is not the cute, cuddly type. A fairly dominant mare, she will push just about anything around. She has lots of chips on her shoulder about humans. She is really beginning to respond to a softer touch, but you have to be assertive enough to convince her to allow you in close proximity, which is a pretty tall order for most people. All in all, she is in a better place mentally and physically, and I feel hopeful for her continued progress.

Training update (7/1/07):
Whiskey has completed her training at Full Circle Ranch, and has moved to Snohomish WA to work with Monica Stephens of Natural Horse Savvy www.naturalhorsesavvy.com. Keep checking back for updates on her progress.

Training update (7/9/07):
I love Whiskey! She is SO sweet. We hung out in the round pen today and she is very smart, after we worked we took a walk up to the construction site (used to be my trails) and she was awesome and took it all in stride! Her personality is really coming out, she will put her head in my hands and fall asleep while I love on her, her eye has really softened now that she is all settled in and starting to build a relationship. We will see how she does tomorrow as I am going to saddle her and do some work off the fence, I want to be sure before I attempt to ride her and really set her up to succeed. I can't wait to ride her...maybe I will get to start her on some cows.

Training update (11/13/07):
"Today was a beautiful day so Wendy and I went on a trail ride Whiskey did AWESOME! She is practically a seasoned trail horse. She looked at the first car that zoomed past but then did not bat an eyelash at traffic, tarps, pipes, hoses, construction equip, lawn furniture/ornaments, etc. We did get a couple bucks (first time) but not only were they completely pathetic bucks (Wendy was in more danger of falling off due to hysterical laughter than her bucking) but they were a sort of "woo hoo! this is fun!". She went straight up (pogo stick?) three times when we first started to lope up a hill, then she had to make up for lost time so she really flew! (she is very smooth) Whiskey really had fun! and me and Wendy can't wait to get back out there!!

Training update (1/7/08):
Whiskey is being introduced to team penning this weekend. Her trainer feels that Whiskey could do well with cows, or possibly as a Polocrosse horse.

Training update (2/1/08):
After more than 7 months of professional training, we are ready to offer Whiskey for adoption. Whiskey is sound and greenbroke, with walk/trot/canter under saddle. She is safe to handle and does not show aggressive behavior. She does not buck. She leads willingly, enjoys being groomed, enjoys people, stands for the farrier (but will test initially), and hauls well.

She is a smart athletic mare who would do best with a job that mentally engages her, such as trail-riding, or cattle work. She does challenge fences and respects only hot wire/tape, or a high paneled roundpen. She has an old injury on her left hind but is sound; our vet believes it is scar tissue.

She will require an experienced adopter who has time to consistently handle her firmly and fairly. Preferably, her adopter will understand the principles of common sense/natural horsemanship, or work with a trainer familiar with these techniques. While she is no longer aggressive, she will test boundaries. She is not a beginner's or children's horse.

Send email to adopt@safehorses.org if you are interested in adopting Whiskey.

To read an ongoing discussion about Whiskey and the progress she has made since her rescue, please click HERE.

If you are interested in sponsoring Whiskey, please 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.