Rory! (AKA The Roryman)

[fairazelle]

Rory is a 5 year old pony, who looks to be a possible Canadian cross. I got him from the lot in January of 2006 and he is finally coming home to me!

Here's a photo history-

At the lot as an untouchable bucking stock stud



Off the lot and in QT with Becca (Maefly)







At Juliane's





At Sharon's



And at Jim's (Hytyme)

[beejoyfulmk]

sweet boy and such a looker

[MustangAppy]

This one looks a lot like my Paladin. Gorgeous!! Lucky you!

[Tate]

Rory has always been one of my favorites.. wow he has come so far from the lot days.

[fairazelle]

Ok, so I know it's been FOREVER since I updated or even have checked this board. I have been crazy busy, so I really haven't had time. I did keep Juliane's board a bit up to date on Rory, so I am going to go ahead and copy those over here, and then give an update on how he is now. Here you go!

Well, Rory is finally home! He walked right off the trailer like a champ and promptly began grazing. The haulers said he was wonderful and had a good time playing with the horses next to him the whole way.

After a long walk down the driveway I let him settle in his stall and unwind for about a half hour while I cleaned my other stalls. He was a little restless, so I decided it would probably be a good idea to go ahead and let him out in his paddock to stretch his legs.

We had gathered quite the crowd waiting to see a good show, and all he did at first was walk around. Then he was off and running....and running...and running. I swear I was terrified he was going to slide through a fence. The second thing he did was roll....3 times on each side, in 3 different consistancies of mud. The rest of the day was spent dozing and munching on hay.

After work I went over and gave him a good brushing and went to town on his mane and tail. They were all crispy!!! Yick! I HATE dry, crunchy manes and tails. The next day was 70 degrees ( ), so I figured some tail washing was in order. I did my mare first since she has had ichthammol (sp?) in her tail all winter (it has been way too cold to wash it), so it was time to try and get it white again. After her it was Rory's turn. He was not amused with the COLD water getting on his legs, but was good if we kept it just to his tail. While I washed, he munched on some hay where I tied him...and rustled around under the tarp that was there....and took everything that was in my buckets out systematically....and then decided that the chair folded up nearby should be moved. He kept turning around to look at me like "are we done YET?".

He now has a beautiful, soft, and deeply conditioned mane and tail, all braided up. I know he's loving that. Healthwise he has been doing great, I have him on Vit C, Accel Lifetime, and a probiotic for the next 3 weeks. No runny nose, fever, or lethargy...and he's drinking, eating, and pooping (a LOT). He came through the trip in fine form. Everyone at the barn thinks he is wonderful and adorable, so he is getting plenty of attention too. He hasn't started talking to me for his dinner yet, but I imagine he'll be starting soon. Every other horse in our barn practically screams at feeding time. He does come when I call him though, so that is a definite plus.

I will keep everyone posted as time goes on, especially when we go for our first ride. I do have photos from when he arrived, but I need to upload them and shrink them and all that, so it may be a few days. It is so good to finally have him here. It's about darn time I say!! Thank you to everyone who has helped him along his way, we are incredibly grateful!!!

Trotting off

Yehaaaaaaaw!




I'm here!!




His first roll in 11 days!

[fairazelle]

So, Rory and I went for a ride today. It was 60 degrees and sunny, so it was the perfect day for it. I went in and brushed him down, I also took the shedding blade to him pretty fierce. He's been shedding like crazy. His stall looks like black shag carpet. So, anywho, I groomed him up and picked his feet and he was wonderful for all of it. Today I finally got to use my baby blue saddle pad I had bought for him. (It looks very pretty too!) He was great for his saddling, and since he is not used to the bit I decided to just ride him in his halter for the first time. I think there are enough new things going on for him too.

I led him out and went to get on, and missed. The little stinker kept sashaying away whenever I was about to get up. I finally ended up taking him to the mouting block and practically had to jump down on him. I guess that is something we will be working on. Off we went down the driveway and Rory immediately took the lead. I definitely appreciate that he is a speedy walker...I hate it when I get stuck on a dawdler. He was wonderful on the whole ride, nothing scared him and he went though water, mud and ditches. He did get a little unsure when we had to go around some downed trees and I made him burrow through the bushes though. He also is terrified of my pony who was on the ride too. Everytime Oliver would get near him he would panic and try to bolt. We had to keep a neutral horse in between always.

Poor Rory. He's had it rough in the pasture the past few days. He went out there thinking he was the man and got his butt thoroughly kicked. He is now almost at the bottom of the pecking order and is a little panicky whenever a horse comes up behind him when we're walking. I am thinking that once things in the herd settle down he should calm down as well, and probably start slowly working his way up the totem pole.

He is getting his piggies trimmed tomorrow morning too, so he'll be all set!

I didn't get any photos of the ride itself, but I took a couple of him in his stall after we got back. He is getting quite porky (as you'll see) so he is on a diet, much to his dismay. Also, it is very apparent that I am not the photographer that Juliane is, so please keep that in mind.

Without further adeui, here are my photos!

[fairazelle]

4/10/07

Well, first a general update. Rory hasn't been doing so swell with the herd here and has sunk into a depression. He's pretty low in the herd and gets picked on a lot. The pony Oliver that he is terrified of actually will go find him so he can torture him. My older gelding Brit had the same problem and it took him a little bit to finally get the hang of it out there. I have noticed Rory is a lot more jumpy and spooky when I am handling him outside of his stall, and I suspect he's just paranoid that another horse is coming to get him. I also have to practically carry him out to the pasture in the morning.

The other day Rory ended up giving me a nice case of rope burn while I was bringing him out of the pasture. There was no one near him, but they were looking at him so he wanted to be gone. Brit knows that when I go out into the pasture he can hide behind me and he is safe. Nobody messes with him when I am there. I think Rory is getting there with me. he is still pretty nervous, but he isn't dragging me around now. Slowly but surely. I have also started giving him more one on one attention, which he appreciates.

All right, now for the ride. My friend was coming over to ride on Sunday so I thought that would be a good time to get back out on the Roryman. I have this wonderful Happy Mouth bit that works miracles on all bit sour and bit-afraid horses, so I thought I'd give it a go with Rory. So, I came on in to his stall, got the bridle all in position and he caught a wiff of it. He snorted and threw his head up in the air with one eyeball looking down on me like "NO thank you!". After some face rubbing and multiple snorts followed by eyeball glaring, he let me put it to his mouth. I just stood there with it pressed against his teeth and he opened right up. Of course once it was in he was playing with it and looking at me quite resentfully, until I finally got the bridle adjusted properly. He quieted down pretty quick and stood there like a pro. I kept his halter on underneath the bridle and attached a lead rope like reins on that too. The plan was to ride him with the halter and just let him get used to the bit.

So out we went to the moutning block, where he promptly started dancing and shoving me quite rudely. A jerk on the lead and a mean look solved the problem though.

He did well on the ride and by the end I was using the lead rope and reins simultaneously with no problem. We trotted part of the way and he even tried to canter a few strides. He did get a little strong and hard to control toward the end, but it was windy and cold, and the mare behind him was acting pretty fresh herself. After the ride I took him in the arena and worked with him with just the reins. We went over some poles on the gound and worked on steering and stopping. He did great...his only issues were when the evil Oliver pony was by the fence to the arena. he panicks and tries to run accross the arena to get away. He was a little better after some reassurance and just having to stand near him, but is still pretty uneasy. He hasn't figured out yet that he cannot get attacked if there is a fence or gate in the way. Hopefully, he will soon.

So that was our ride. I am hoping that once this cold spell is over we'll finally get some grass growing and everyone will settle down. Oliver is a pig, so grass should keep him pretty occupied. I'll keep everyone posted on how things progress. Hopefully, I'll have good news soon! ;D

[fairazelle]

4/15/07

So the mouse problem at our barn has gotten a bit out of control lately. They'll even come running up now and snatch grain that you drop at your feet. I believe the resident cat is slacking. The other day I picked up Rory's feed pan (which was flipped over) and there was a smooshed mouse under it. Everyone was laughing and talking about how Rory was doing a better job with the mice than the cat. Well tonight I went to go and put his feed pan down in his "trough" and there was another smooshed mouse. This one was twisted like he looked up at the last minute and put his paws up to protect himself, like "NOOOOOOO!". I can just picture Rory nose-butting a mouse to death. I don't think he appreciates the little buggers trying to get in on his food. Once may be coincidence, but twice?

[fairazelle]

Ok, so here is the current update for 5/30/07.

Rory is now doing wonderful. Him and Oliver are now friends and play with eachother. There is a group in the pasture I call the pony pals, it's Oliver, Rory, Desi (an Arab pony), and Pete an OTTB who REALLY wants to be a pony too. Anyway, they all hang out and migrate around together, swish eachothers' flies and all that good stuff.

He's really turned into a little snuggler and always has to be touching you somehow. When I lead him he always has his nose rubbing on my forearm. He is also quite talented at begging. Instead of shriecking at me to feed him he just stretches his nose all the way up to me and then cocks his head to the side and just stares...pleading. He does the same thing to my old guy Brit next door, just watches him eat...hoping for a little morsel to drop within his reach. When he's finished eating sometimes he'll even hold his feedpan out to me with that same look on his face.

As far as training goes, he doesn't do so well with his feet. The first time the farrier came he was not a very good boy. However, I had switched farriers and my current one was very patient with him and worked with him a bit. We were doing well with hoof picking until I accidently stabbed him with my fingernail one day and he hasn't forgiven me for it. Whenever I try to pick up that foot (and he's fine with the other one mind you) he acts like I am going to rip it off. he's getting better but it's a slow process.

We tried flyspray for the first time yesterday and he was nervous, but stood pretty well for me, so it won't be long until he's a fly spray pro.

He also appears to have been ear twitched severely in the past. he will not let me just go up and touch his left ear. He's fine when it gets squinched and twisted by the halter or bridle, but if you deliberately try to touch it he jerks away. So we now have this nice little game when I am turning him out. He has to let me rub it gently before I will turn him loose. It takes a few minutes, but he will eventually let me.

So, Rory is doing wonderful and is fat and shiny. He is in desparate need of a bath, so that is next on our to do list. I am waiting for a HOT day, so he appreciates it more. I will try to remember to bring my camera to the barn with me and get some shots of him.

[swissgrl]

Thanks for the update on the resident Stud-Muffin!!!!!

Just love that little guy!

[caryn]

YAAYYY!!! I'm glad he's making friends He's been a favorite of mine too. Thanks for the update!

[fairazelle]

Oh! I forgot to mention that Rory does have himself a girlfriend. It's kind of a Romeo and Juliet kind of thing since they are in separate fields...."they can never be together"

Anyway, she is a 14.1 hand silver dapple welsh pony named Isabelle. They met when they passed eachother on the barn aisle one night and fell in love instantly. He started strutting, she started flirting....ah, love. They snuzzled, she nipped, they snuzzled again. Sadly, we had to part the young lovers and put them in their respective fields, but a few days ago, she was loaded in the trailer to go to a show and I was walking Rory by. She whinnied and proceeded to try to climb out of the side door to get to him. One of the ladies tried to close to door, but she wouldn't let them. The whole time Rory was posing and nickering softly to her. And when asked to walk on, he did so reluctantly and kept looking back at his sweetheart. Poor, poor babies.

[agilitygal]

Ah, they should be together. . .!!!! Glad to hear he's doing better. It's no fun to be picked on by the others. I think he's a special little horse. Glad to hear the updates.

[atticus]

Nickie!!! I see you logged in right now and I NEED a Roryman update with pics!! How is my little man?

[fairazelle]

I forgot my camera yesterday, I'm so sorry! He did get a half bath though, his left side and his mane and he was a good little boy for it. He loved me scrubbing all up in his mane. He did start to lose patience though so I decided to just stick with one side. I also found a new scratchy spot. He loves you to rub in his ears. And I mean LOVES. He had me pinned to the wall with his head and was in ecstacy. I will try to remember to bring my camera out tomorrow when I go. If it's still hot I'll wash his other side too. I want to get some good photos of his brands too to see if anyone is familiar with them. ;D

Ashley, did you see replies 8 and 11? Those are current updates too, they just don't have any photos....

[caryn]

Hey there, I'm needing a Rory fix. Any updates?

[fairazelle]

Sorry it took me so long to update Caryn. I've been having trouble logging in.

Rory is doing very well and is still an absolute sweetie. I've been riding him and he is sooooo quiet, to the pount of being very lazy. In his mind it isn't logical to exert yourself for "no reason", so that has made training a bit more difficult. I am actually trying to see if any of the Therapeutic Riding Centers nearby might like to free lease him. He is quiet enough and he has that way about him that just draws you in and wraps you up. He loves to walk with his head gently brushing my arm when I am leading him. He just likes to be close to people and loves attention, so I think it actually might be an ideal job for him. Especially because I don't know how sound he'll be in the future. That old scar on his leg is just one of many on his body from a fight with a fence. His left hock is enlarged and has wire scars around it as well as his right foreleg. He must have been tangled up good. It really makes my heart ache to imagine him injured and bleeding and no one there to care for him.

For repairing his scar I was quoted $500+ for a quickie fix and up to $2000 to really make it pretty at New Bolton. So, I am thinking that it's just going to have to stay for a bit. It actually might make him more endearing if he does go to be a therapy horse. All of those "damaged" children would be able to relate to his not being perfect. Plus he has a great story as well. We'll see what happens. Obviously if he did go I'd be keeping a hawks eye on him.

Lately he has had some little girls giving him the royal treatment too. One is 9 and one is 4, and the 4 year old adores him because she can groom and ride him all alone! (in other words her grandma is not holding the reins) He just plods along and really loves those girls. He gets groomed for an hour all the while getting to munch his hay. Talk about luxury!

I will keep everyone posted!

[fairazelle]

OK these aren't real new, but they are different at least....(not very flattering though)





This is his "trough". You can see the ledge a little bit. I usually sit on the ledge and he puts his head in my lap and begs for food. He's such a mooch.

[atticus]

Oh I love the Roryman!!! He does have a captivating way about him!


PS: Thank you for the pics!! ;D

[fairazelle]

All right!!! Rory is now staying with a wonderful lady who will be working with him to become a Therapy horse! She thinks he'll be wonderful. Pam is one of the volunteers for Normandy Farm Therapuetic Riding Center. She'll be working with him for several months to see if he will be suitable for the program eventually. best of all is that she and Normandy are only about 20 minutes away from me! So I can visit whenever I want. I have heard wonderful things about how they care for their horses, and of course they look great. I am so excited for him!

Here's the Riding Center
web.iximd.com/normandyfarm/

[Tockita]

Thats fantastic!! I have always loved Rory. Our little Dyna could also be a Therapy horse when she grows up.

[atticus]

OH Roryman!! What a great job for him, I bet he does awesome!

[webmistress32]

adorable pony. great stories.

[fairazelle]

I just got an update from Pam on Rory complete with photos!! We had trouble getting him to back off of the trailer after we brought him over there, so that is why she references that in her email. Here you go:

the little boy is doing very well...i will forward some pics from labor day...chip's daughter rode him a bit labor day afternoon ...she is quite an accomplished eventer. he took well to her

i did not take him to normandy instead i had a rider come over and we did some work w/ him...and we had him backing off the trailer quite consistently and she did some rider exercises that we do with the children..he is quite easy with things...

i have ridden him the past several days both under saddle and bare back... again he his fairly easy going about things more forward going under saddle than bare back

just yesterday put him in the pasture w/ 'Mo' & 'ginny'. ...'mo' has been quite possessive of 'ginny' just the opposite of what i expected...expecting 'ginny' to be more of a problem..alas she is unmoved by the entire situation.

sunday was a big bath day....he is just a little uneasy about the hose especially when it is near his rear feet...no surprise considering the scarring there. but he is sparkling and quite handsome after the " big bath"

will have a young rider on him friday afternoon if U would like to stop by...may take him to normandy next week depending on my work schedule

[foxie]

A therapy horse! How perfect! ;D

He looks amazing in his pictures. So relaxed and at easy.

[fairazelle]

I went and saw Rory today...he looks wonderful!!! ;D He is happy as a clam and is doing so well over there. In fact, they asked me today if I was still OK with donating him since they want to keep him. I said of course, as long as they sign a contract where he comes back to me if they ever cannot keep him.

Apparently he is the most popular horse over there now. All of the volunteers and kids just gush over him, and the new favorite hangout is around his stall. He's constantly getting love and attention and hardly does any work! His trainer couldn't say enough good things about him and told me today that she had never encountered such a perfect horse, especially at his age. Everyone is very excited about him and he will go into the program full time in the Spring.

I am so happy for him and proud of him. He is doing so well and he is loving life. I think Normandy offers him things that I could never. I just don't have time for all of the attention and he just thrives on it. It's really the perfect arrangement for him. Anyway, I'll stop gushing now. Does anyone happen to know where I can get a contract?

[lorsadoon]

I am so happy Rory is doing so well, I will not forget meeting "His Cuteness"

I am so happy you found such an exceptional home for him. And you can gush all you want. You both deserve it.

[rescuestoribbons]

He is just a doll!! SO cute!

[Eileen M]

Nic, you've done an awesome, awesome job, and never let Rory down , nor any of the horses you have helped !!

The stories he could tell of his travels !!!

Go Rory !!!

**can't help ya with the contract, but good luck !!!!**