The Project Horse: What and Why

WHAT IS A “PROJECT HORSE?”

Depending on who you speak to the definition of a “project horse” can vary greatly. In our program concept a “project horse” is one that has been started – meaning it is used to a halter, has some VERY BASIC ground manners and has a few rides under saddle but for whatever reason the current human custodian can’t actually train, get training, or care for the horse as it deserves. These human custodians recognize that they are failing to provide the skills and care necessary for the horse to be a valued equine partner that can be trusted to safely head down the trail, cruise the arena and take care of its human. Bottom line the horse is being failed by its human. The horse needs to find a new home and hopefully that new home can help the horse out. That, to us, is a “project horse.” Hope that clears it up.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THEN and WHY? 

Like others, what we do is look for those “failed by their human horses” and we do the work they have, for whatever reason, chosen not to do or have done by someone else. Think about that for a second and ask yourself if you are failing your horse or doing something positive in its life. We spend lots of time, energy and money on getting the horse healthy. We work hard on getting the horse comfortable in its mouth, its feet, its digestive system and condition it so that its body rating is above average in muscle tone. We work very hard on teaching the horse how to behave on the ground, stand for the farrier, load calmly in the trailer, stand tied quietly without pulling or freaking out. We work on an extensive ground skill set which translates directly to working under saddle. We work hard getting the horse soft in the bridle and listening well to seat and leg cues. We work hard getting the body supple and light so the horse is a pleasure to work with and ride. We put real MILES on the horse. We work hard to find out what the horse’s aptitudes are (if you don’t know what that means, please look it up) and what it enjoys doing. We make them VALUABLE BY DOING THE WORK “YOU” FAILED TO DO. The result of all of this time and effort is a horse that should never end up being a “free to a good home” or sold for what amounts to a kill pen rate. If no one failed their horse, we would not be able to find SO MANY PROJECT HORSE CANDIDATES.

WHY "PROJECT HORSES?" 

That is easy 1) To help the horse become a valued partner that will never be “discount priced” or “free” again if at all possible. 2) To improve our horsemanship skills as we help the horse become happy, healthy and willing to be a great partner. 3) To, if possible, match this new and improved horse with the right family that will continue its journey and be a long term fit so that it never again be a “cheap or free” horse.

Yes, we do sell the horse for fair market value and we never hide that fact. Doing the work that others FAILED TO DO takes time, energy, focus and money. A fair market price usually helps to offset the expense a little bit.

WHY "PROGRAM PARAMETERS?"

Again, this is a no-brainer. The horse has to have some level of physical ability to go through the conditioning process. The horse has to be of a market friendly age so we can find a good family for it if and when the time is right. The horse has to be a market friendly breed type for the same reason. The horse has to be “property friendly” so cannot be too destructive on our little ranch. The budget is in place because we know how much we are going to have to spend on its health and well-being AFTER we get the horse home. We know what we like to work with, what we don’t like to work with and what we are capable of working with as far as our skill level (we are not and have never claimed to be professional trainers). We are not independently wealthy and are NOT A RESCUE and we won’t take in your broken, mentally damaged, blind in one eye and impossible to rehome horse. Frankly, YOU let it get that way so YOU take responsibility for it.

So that is the what and why of it.

Think about it.