BEHS 1236 – Shelly

Name: Shelly Status: Adopted
Adoption Fee: Arrived At Rescue: November 5, 2021
Location: Rosharon, TX Adoption Date: October 4, 2025
Registered: No Breed: Grade
Date of Birth: January 1, 2011 Color: Bay
Gender: Female
Mare
Height: 14.2

About Shelly

Shelly is a sweet, 14.2h, 2011 bay mare with a heart of gold and a love of attention. She was surrendered due to a neglect case. Although now gorgeous and healthy, she was emaciated when she arrived at the rescue.

Shelly competed in the 2022 Bluebonnet Training Challenge in the Non-Pro Under Saddle Division and was adopted that same day. She was returned in August 2024 because her adopter was getting divorced.

Before being returned, Shelly suffered a pasture injury that injured her back leg. While she fully recovered from the injury, it left her with a swollen rear hock. A veterinary exam in March 2025 revealed mild arthritis in her hocks and she was cleared for light to moderate riding.

Shelly is very social, enjoys her pasture pals, and is always the first to greet you at the gate. She loves attention and loves spending time working with her human. She would thrive in a home where she got to be ridden fairly regularly.

Evaluation and Training

Personality & Manners:
- Sweet and affectionate; loves attention from adults and children
- Outgoing and social with people and other horses
- Has been pastured with both mares and geldings
- Forward-going and energetic; eager to work and learn
- Craves human interaction
- Friendly and welcoming; first to greet you at the gate
- Has been kept in a stall as well as in pasture; prefers the pasture but does ok in a stall as long as she’s not alone

Training & Abilities:
- Started under saddle and broke to ride
- Comfortable being saddled, bridled, and lunged
- Learning neck reining; has a reliable stop
- Enjoys groundwork and learning new skills
- Loves obstacles; shows potential as a trail horse
- Making progress standing tied and respecting personal space
- Forward-going but responsive with consistent, patient handling
- Suitable for light to moderate riding (walk, trot, limited canter) – no playdays, jumping, or endurance

Background & Care:
- Was very pushy when she arrived and may test or revert some with a new handler
- A veterinary exam in March 2025 revealed mild arthritis in her hocks and a slightly lowered rear fetlock, but she was cleared for light to moderate riding.
-A recent in depth dental examination discovered she has “blind” wolf teeth, or wolf teeth that grew in sideways and under the gums. It can be very painful for a bit to hit those areas, so her veterinarian says she should be ridden in a hackamore or bitless bridle.

Why She’s Amazing:
Shelly is affectionate, friendly, and loves attention from people of all ages, including children. Social and playful in the pasture, she gets along well with other horses and enjoys her pasture mates. Shelly is eager to learn, loves challenges like obstacles, and has a forward, energetic personality that makes her a fun and engaging partner. Once you start working with her, she will nicker when she sees you and seems to enjoy riding and handling time. She has the potential to be a wonderful light pleasure or trail riding horse for the right confident, intermediate rider who appreciates her bright, loyal, and loving nature.

Temperament

Trailers: Yes Bucks: No
Leads: Yes Bites: No
Ties: Yes Catches: Yes
Trims: Yes Bathes: Yes
Clips: Unknown Rears: No
Kicks: No Rider Level: Intermediate
Evaluated/Trained By: BEHS Foster Trained
Training Level: Broke to Ride
Started Under Saddle, Green Broke
Riding Suitability listed: Light to Moderate Riding