BEHS 996 – Aretha – BluebonnetEquine

BEHS 996 – Aretha

Name: Aretha	Status: Adopted
Adoption Fee:	Arrived At Rescue: September 15, 2018
Location: Somerville, TX	Adoption Date: March 5, 2023
Registered:	Breed: Grade Paint
Date of Birth: January 1, 2010	Color: Bay Pinto
Gender: Female Mare	Height: 15 hands

About Aretha

Aretha was removed from negligent owners by law enforcement and placed with Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society by a humane society. She gained weight and became such a nice mare. Loves human attention. She was pregnant when she arrived. Aretha was adopted in October 2019 but was returned in May 2021 due to no fault of her own.

Her former adopter reported that she has limited vision in her left eye, from an old head/eye injury she got before she came to Bluebonnet. She said Aretha can spook sometimes if she does not see you on her left side. Other than needing to make her aware you are there it does not cause her any issues.

Aretha was returned to Bluebonnet through no fault of her own.

Evaluation and Training

Aretha had not been handled much before coming to Bluebonnet, but she came around quickly with regular handling. Her foster home adopted her and started her under saddle.

Aretha was returned by her original adopter and then placed with a youth rider, working with a trainer, for the 2021 Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge’s Non Pro Under Saddle division. They rode her in indoor and outdoor arenas, on trails, over obstacles, and at events. She was adopted and trail ridden and then returned due to lameness.

Her foster home’s vet and farrier evaluated Aretha and determined her hooves were in poor shape, leading to her lameness. They’ve put her in front shoes and on a regular trimming schedule, and her foster home has seen no sign of lameness. Her foster home recently began riding Aretha again and slowly bringing her back into work. She’s doing well but is still green under saddle.

She needs an adopter who can continue her training and keep her in shoes for at least a few more months while her feet grow out and recover.

Aretha is a very sweet mare with good ground manners. She stands tied, is good for grooming, and enjoys baths. Her foster home says she does not always stand still for mounting, but they’re working on that and she’s improving with consistency.