Smooch

15.2 hh gelding

Foaled 2011

Has early bony changes of ringbone

Eligible for free lease as a companion

Smooch, also affectionately called Moo, is named after the first impression he gave us while in a Minnesota low-end horse auction in November, 2023.

We first saw him standing in a pen with two other horses. He was completely covered in painful burrs and had an irritated eye from trying to itch so much.

Originally, we were trying to spot Arabians or Standardbreds at the sale because those are the breeds we try to focus on when in a situation where so many horses need help.

Smooch was the rare exception to our rule.

When we went up to him, he stuck his face through the bars of the pen and gave us a little smooch. We knew then and there that we weren't leaving without him. The name stuck.

Smooch was in the 2024 BBTC with trainer Hailey Breth, but after seeing that the increase in work was causing him to come up lame, we brought him to the vet. X-rays showed early signs of ringbone, but his joints had not been affected. Smooch has been ridden and will need more work and added maintenance if he were to continue a riding career. Vet-suggested maintenance for riding include bar shoes to protect his joints.

Smooch is very friendly, an easy keeper, and a big goofy guy. He's also quite the looker! He is available as a companion and is eligible for free lease as a companion, but he could certainly do more.