Spirit of an Appaloosa

We knew that Doppler was stubborn as we watched how stubborn he could be when we would go to visit him prior to bringing him home (and Appaloosa's are stubborn by nature).  He loved to be haltered, she would pull out his halter and he would see it...come right over and stick his head in.  Wow, what a good horse.  Then she would walk him out of the gate and he would make it a few steps before putting his head down, planting his feet and commence to eating grass.

All the pulling and coaxing in the world wouldn't make Doppler go.  He wanted grass and he was was going to eat it.  Even underweight his giant frame was no match for his owner...or Abi.  He would plant his feet and that was it, and he knew it! Once we brought him home, we had little issue with him doing this and have been quite successful in removing this behavior.  Do not get me wrong... it wasn't like a miracle pony behaving constantly... but the fact that his paddock was all grass helped.  He didn't have the need to come out to eat grass he had access to never ending grass where he lived now...so leaving his paddock meant a new experience like the walk in the woods above.

Doppler does this thing when he is being stubborn... he POUTS! Yes, pouts.  His lower lip drops down and bobs up and down like a toddler getting ready to cry!  Its the most pathetic thing you would ever experience.  But he definitely does it because he knows it will make you feel bad.... He does this when you are asking him to do something he really isn't in the mood for.  Somedays... he does it when you ask him to leave the paddock.  He knows that leaving the paddock could mean work.  Aaaaw! But mom, I don't feel like working right now!!!!????!

Doppler's ears back...show he could be someone irritated with this photo session.

 Do you see how good he looks now, just one month later.  He is no longer hollow, his hips have filled in nicely, not one bit of his spine is showing anymore.

Because we are fast approaching winter in New England his fuzzy winter coat is coming in and he couldn't be cuter! He is as soft as a bunny.

A funny story can be told about the day Doppler jumped the fence.  Oh yes, and had John not been outside to witness this little act of bravery I would still to this day be trying to figure out how Doppler ended up on the wrong side of the fence without a gate being left open.

John had been outside with a couple of his friends near the top of the driveway.  He witnessed Doppler's frustration due to the fact that he was being ignored... running frantically around his paddock in circles trying to get someones attention... anyone!? Please... let me out!!!!!!  As he ran in circles he became aware that his cries for attention were continuing to be ignored...he decided to GO FOR IT.....

He chose a spot in the fence near the goat pen, an unobstructed area where he could potentially get up enough speed to make the leap and land in a clear spot.  In John's word  "I saw Doppler coming flying out from the side of the barn, he was moving so fast he ran up the driveway and I didn't think he was going to stop!  He was running right toward me, Mike and Lyndon at full speed.  As soon as he got to where we were he just stopped and started to eat grass".

So wow, what a predicament...our non-athletic, non-running, non-jumping pony is now leaping 4 foot fences without issue.  While the fence did take a small beating John has managed to stack a taller fence against it impeding what could become a constant escape route for our spirited Appaloosa.  The rest of the paddock is pretty well surrounded by woods, wood piles, goat house, chicken run... you get the picture.  Honestly, the space he found to make his jump was very small and I am quite impressed that he managed to do it!  Good for you Doppler... you have found your wings...and now you want to fly!

But what on earth do you do with a pony who wants to jump and be free???? You teach him....

Peek-A-Boo