Elphaba

About Elphaba (Grade) in Union

Elphaba is waiting for you at Humane Society of Missouri - Longmeadow in Union, MO 63084. Meet Elphaba! Elphaba was rescued with an entire herd of horses in the winter of 2024. She spent time in our quarantine barns and then began her evaluation process. It took some time for her to be comfortable with daily handling. We think her past left her with some scars (both physical and mental) that caused her have trust issues with her human handlers. After lots of positive reinforcement and groundwork training, we began to see a kind, confident horse shine through. Now, after months of rehabilitation and care, Elphaba is ready to end her Longmeadow chapter and start her next one in her forever home. Upon her arrival and initial vet exam, the vet observed behaviors in Elphaba that suggested she may have previously suffered from an illness that caused neurologic problems. While she appears to have recovered, she still occasionally displays mild quirks, such as lip twitching and slight head bobbing, especially in unfamiliar situations or when her routine is disrupted. These behaviors were most noticeable early on, especially during vet exams or farrier visits. However, as Elphaba has settled into a consistent routine and received positive reinforcement training, these behaviors have lessened. She is still learning to easily accept dewormer or oral medications, but she has made remarkable progress since her arrival.Our trainers have worked with Elphaba under saddle a few times, and while she shows signs of previous training, we believe she would be best suited as a lead-line horse or for an adopter interested in very light riding. Due to her neurological quirks, she is not comfortable with a bit and should be ridden in a halter. If being ridden as a lead-line horse, Elphaba should be led by an experienced handler on the ground.Elphaba does well in a stall and enjoys a relaxed lifestyle. However, she is sensitive to insect bites. She would benefit from a fly sheet and extra c