ZIPPY
February 16 2022
Welcome Zippy
Welcome Zippy
March 15 2022
Zippy, Skippy, Zip Man… oh I have a lot of nick names for this super smart boy. He is waiting, not so patiently, for training at Ron Johnsons to start. I am convinced he simply needs some holes in his training filled. He is a very insecure boy who needs to learn life is ok. He shows no signs of being abused, simply one of those horses that have gone from one person to another, passed along because of a naughty behavior and then that behavior gets worse with each new handler who doesn’t stop and listen to him and help him learn to overcome his anxiety. He is going to make someone a very good friend after spending some time with Ron. We are working on ground manners now and he has come a long way – still more worried about the other horses then me but I can now get his attention for a minute – then his mind wanders back to them. Not herd bound, just not trusting that I have his back yet, I am not important in his life but I see him looking for me when I head to the paddock and he loves to come out and play…. Time and patience is going to be his best friend. |
April 12 2022
His lunch box is packed, his pencils and crayons are sharpened. Zippy is heading to school today! Yup, Zip Man is growing up We are so excited to see what Ronald L Johnson Jr and Zippy can accomplish together. This bright, beautiful and bouncy boy is heading to Embden to spend as much time as he needs to become a successful partner. We are committed to this boy to help make his future happy and with the help of Ron, there is no doubt he is going to succeed! Stay tuned for updates, we will post his adventures as he learns - It will be so much fun to watch this boy
His lunch box is packed, his pencils and crayons are sharpened. Zippy is heading to school today! Yup, Zip Man is growing up We are so excited to see what Ronald L Johnson Jr and Zippy can accomplish together. This bright, beautiful and bouncy boy is heading to Embden to spend as much time as he needs to become a successful partner. We are committed to this boy to help make his future happy and with the help of Ron, there is no doubt he is going to succeed! Stay tuned for updates, we will post his adventures as he learns - It will be so much fun to watch this boy
April 30 2022
Zippy is at the head of the class at his training with Ron Johnson. We get sent updates every few days and although I havent had time to visit and be involved with his training, we certainly would like anyone that is interested in him to make the trip and see how he is progressing. Zippy is a soon to be 10 year old QH gelding that came to us by way of an owner surrender. We quickly noticed he has some holes in his training and his confidence definately needed some work and that is exactly what Ron is doing with him. He will stay in training until he is ready - there is no '30 days of training' or time limits - we want Zippy to succeed so until Ron has him in a good place, until we find that perfect home to continue his training in the months and years to come - he will not be placed but if you think you may be that person..... please contact me or Ron and give Zippy a visit
Zippy is at the head of the class at his training with Ron Johnson. We get sent updates every few days and although I havent had time to visit and be involved with his training, we certainly would like anyone that is interested in him to make the trip and see how he is progressing. Zippy is a soon to be 10 year old QH gelding that came to us by way of an owner surrender. We quickly noticed he has some holes in his training and his confidence definately needed some work and that is exactly what Ron is doing with him. He will stay in training until he is ready - there is no '30 days of training' or time limits - we want Zippy to succeed so until Ron has him in a good place, until we find that perfect home to continue his training in the months and years to come - he will not be placed but if you think you may be that person..... please contact me or Ron and give Zippy a visit
June 17 2022
Finally an update on Zippy. Zippy has been at Rons Johnsons for a little over 2 months. When we first sent him we had plans of Ron helping Zip with a little confidence, groundwork, evaluate what he knows and what he needs work on and start/restart him under saddle for a little trail riding. Alas! the best laid plans of mice and men! After being at Rons for just a short time, Zippy came up slightly lame. When doing small circles on hard ground, he was limping but going straight or in the pasture (where he is in with a herd of 5), he was fine. We had Dr. Brian Blanchard check him out - x rays and a lameness test. We got some dreaded news - know one wants to hear the word navicular but our special boy doesnt have simple navicular - no - he has a very rare form called bipartite navicular. This is when the horse in utero and the navicular bone is altered during formation and instead of creating one solid bone, it develops into 2 (and sometimes 3 different segments) Being a congenital disease, Zippy has most likely had this since birth. Is there a cure? no. According to the vet, Zippy may be able to be ridden for another 20 years, or he may go dead lame in a month. There are as many theories about how to treat it as there are horses that have it. One option is to shoe him and continue riding and working him until he shows obvious signs of pain. Another is to let him go barefoot which requires someone experienced and willing to do barefoot trims every 4ish weeks. This is the route we are taking at the moment only because this is how we have treated Tommy (who has regular navicular) and this is how Ron would like to proceed and as long as Zippy is there, Ron will work on his angles. We have decided that if he is landing flat or heal first (this is the best) we will continue to work him lightly - no circles, no hard ground - easy trail riding at a walk. Movement is good for navicular and will improve the blood flow as opposed to having him rest. He will be taken off all grain, no sugar, nothing with added iron (so much commercial food has iron added which limits the absorption of zinc and copper which is needed for a healthy hoof. He will be started on Vermont Blend supplement which is high in both of these minerals. We will also start him on knox geliten when he gets used to eating the supplement. This is all an ongoing, experimental process and Ron will be watching Zippy for the first signs of discomfort (we may get him some boots if needed) . The bad news is Zippy has a physical problem. The good news is, we know what it is. In any horse you bring home, whether they are a free rehoming rescue or a 8000 vet checked dream horse, that horse could come up lame tomorrow - there are no guarantees and with Zippy, well at least we know. Ron reports that he is a smart boy that loves to learn, he tries so hard to do what is asked and from the ground has amazing manners and his sweet disposition will melt your heart. At this point, Zippy will be at Rons for at least the month of June and into July. If you are interested in meeting him, if you are willing to take a chance on this handsome boy that may take you on miles of trails or never be ridden...... either way he will be your friend, your confidant, your best friend and if you are willing to give him that chance, he will give you his heart with every ounce of his being.
Finally an update on Zippy. Zippy has been at Rons Johnsons for a little over 2 months. When we first sent him we had plans of Ron helping Zip with a little confidence, groundwork, evaluate what he knows and what he needs work on and start/restart him under saddle for a little trail riding. Alas! the best laid plans of mice and men! After being at Rons for just a short time, Zippy came up slightly lame. When doing small circles on hard ground, he was limping but going straight or in the pasture (where he is in with a herd of 5), he was fine. We had Dr. Brian Blanchard check him out - x rays and a lameness test. We got some dreaded news - know one wants to hear the word navicular but our special boy doesnt have simple navicular - no - he has a very rare form called bipartite navicular. This is when the horse in utero and the navicular bone is altered during formation and instead of creating one solid bone, it develops into 2 (and sometimes 3 different segments) Being a congenital disease, Zippy has most likely had this since birth. Is there a cure? no. According to the vet, Zippy may be able to be ridden for another 20 years, or he may go dead lame in a month. There are as many theories about how to treat it as there are horses that have it. One option is to shoe him and continue riding and working him until he shows obvious signs of pain. Another is to let him go barefoot which requires someone experienced and willing to do barefoot trims every 4ish weeks. This is the route we are taking at the moment only because this is how we have treated Tommy (who has regular navicular) and this is how Ron would like to proceed and as long as Zippy is there, Ron will work on his angles. We have decided that if he is landing flat or heal first (this is the best) we will continue to work him lightly - no circles, no hard ground - easy trail riding at a walk. Movement is good for navicular and will improve the blood flow as opposed to having him rest. He will be taken off all grain, no sugar, nothing with added iron (so much commercial food has iron added which limits the absorption of zinc and copper which is needed for a healthy hoof. He will be started on Vermont Blend supplement which is high in both of these minerals. We will also start him on knox geliten when he gets used to eating the supplement. This is all an ongoing, experimental process and Ron will be watching Zippy for the first signs of discomfort (we may get him some boots if needed) . The bad news is Zippy has a physical problem. The good news is, we know what it is. In any horse you bring home, whether they are a free rehoming rescue or a 8000 vet checked dream horse, that horse could come up lame tomorrow - there are no guarantees and with Zippy, well at least we know. Ron reports that he is a smart boy that loves to learn, he tries so hard to do what is asked and from the ground has amazing manners and his sweet disposition will melt your heart. At this point, Zippy will be at Rons for at least the month of June and into July. If you are interested in meeting him, if you are willing to take a chance on this handsome boy that may take you on miles of trails or never be ridden...... either way he will be your friend, your confidant, your best friend and if you are willing to give him that chance, he will give you his heart with every ounce of his being.
April 12, 2023
Zippy finally goes home
Ziip
Zippy finally goes home
Ziip
As we watch the ice leave the pond, the robins arrive by the droves, daffodils start to break through the ground and the peepers singing their evening lullaby, Zippy too is starting a new beginning.
A rescue is not an easy place to be a horse. Friends come and go, life is ever changing and unless you are a forever resident, you usually are not the chosen one when a person comes to the pasture. Zippy wants to be the chosen one, he wants to have his own person he can call his, he wants to know they are coming for him and the others will be shood away. Zippy got his person 😊 Zippy arrived over a year ago – His early years were filled with moving, changing and never feeling the sense of security that every horse needs. He arrived unsure of his place in the herd, his place with his handler, his place in the world. With the help of Ron Johnson who worked with Zippy most of last summer and lessons taught by each of our herd members, he gradually started to learn he did not have to be the leader, he learned how to be a herd member (both with the other horses and with his person). Zippy taught us a lot while he was here. How to truly listen to a horse, how to know when they are asking for help, how to allow them to make mistakes but also to know every action has a consequence. Each horse that comes to our pasture brings with them so many lessons, both learned and taught. We are so thankful we could be part of Zippys journey and were able to share the past year with him. It took a while to find that perfect person for him, but we have learned over the years that if we are patient, if we do not simply find A home for our horses but find THEIR home, no matter how long it takes, that horses’ person will find them – and Zippys person did. Bittersweet for us but so happy for our Zippy Boy |