2003 Standardbred gelding
Bug arrived for training in October 2018 from Maple Hill Farms in Auburn, Maine. Tall, dark, and handsome, he is a 15.2 hand, 15 year old registered Standardbred. Bug’s ‘foster mom’ first saw him three years ago, when she joined a friend to visit some horses that had been listed for free online. At the time, Bug was severely malnourished and neglected, but he got lucky that day when he went home with his rescuers and was immediately placed under the ownership of Maple Hill Farms.
Since then, Bug has been started under saddle and recently received 6 weeks of training at Photo Finish Farm in Maine. He is well-versed in the basics and trailers, bathes, cross-ties, and stands quietly for the farrier. Because he is still quite green and needs continued experience and exposure under saddle, we welcomed Bug into our foster training in hopes of helping him to find his forever home. Currently he can walk/trot in the arena and hacks out with a steady companion for support. He is beginning to understand how to bend and soften through his body, which in time would help him learn to canter. This sweet boy can still get anxious when presented with new challenges, and so he will continue to need slow, steady work with a confident and relaxed rider.
UPDATE: In June 2019, sweet Bug was adopted! He will be living the good life in Massachusetts, keeping an elderly Arab company and enjoying trailrides with his new mom, Darlene. We are thrilled for Bug and his new family, and wish everyone many happy trails. Congratulations!!!
