Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2013 13:20:22 GMT -8
Tickle the Ivories
The Basics
Show Name:Tickle the Ivories
Barn Name:Tickle, sometimes ‘T’
Age:11 years
Gender:Gelding
Breed:Oldenburg
Breed Registry:Oldenburg Registry North America
The Appearance
Coat Color:Black and white
Stable Color:Orange
Height:16.3
The Personality
Personality: Tickle is a playful horse who’s nose is infamous for sneaking treats out of pockets. He is naturally curious and is always poking around with his muzzle. He will be the horse who’s always looking out of his stall at whatever’s going around. Around horses, he is generally tolerant, though he is no pushover. Under saddle, he likes to take matters into his own hands at the slightest sign that his rider is distracted. Due to prior dressage training, Tickle needs a rider who has soft hands and knows how to use leg aids correctly, or else he will pull on the bit and refuse to do anything. After meeting Jason, it was reveled that his ears were very sensitive to sound, and the two of them have developed a few signals based on different sounds. On the ground, he can be pushy if handled by someone who seems to be okay with him being the boss. He and Jason have a strong bond.
Caution Around: Almost any form of water, including rain and excluding water buckets. Will not drink out of anything larger than those big round water buckets placed in stalls that are just barely too big for the average person to carry by themselves.
The History
Basic History: Tickle was born at a small stable that raised and sold horses as part of their income. He was treated humanely, though he never got the opportunity to bond with a single person, out of fear on the humans’ part of becoming too attached. So he turned to the other horses to make friends. He became best friends with a filly born around the same time as he was. It became difficult to leave one and take the other, for the one left behind would pace the fence and whinny, and the one taken would constantly check behind to see if their best friend was coming. Eventually they were put in separate pastures on opposite ends of the property. It was here that Tickle discovered the many uses of his muzzle, for he played with every gate of every pasture he was moved to. Many times a person would go out to the fields and find that Tickle was grazing on the other side of the fence from his friend.
One day, when Tickle was 4, a flood swept through the area. There was no time to get the horses to higher ground. Tickle had opened his gate again and so was not confined to his pasture. The waters hit him, and he struggled desperately before finding solid ground by the stable, which stood on higher ground. However, he heard the frightful whinnies of his filly(now a mare) friend and plunged back in before anyone could catch him. The floodwaters proved too strong, and he was swept away along with the other horses. He was found and returned to his stable, where he recovered from minor injuries. He never saw his friend again, and longed for a new best friend. As before, no single person paid him enough attention. Even his riders/trainers changed before long. Finally, he met a boy named Jason Tarabochia, aged 14, who was looking for a horse of his own. After riding the various horses up for sale, he decided that Tickle was the best fit for him. The two overcame some minor behavioral issues but turned out to be an excellent team.
The Technicalities
Discipline: Mostly hunter
Owner:Jason Tarabochia
Rider:Jason Tarabochia