Bandera is a 10 year old 13.3 hh pony - possibly a Hackney cross. He came to Bluebonnet from a rescue that focused primarily on dogs, although they took in the occasional horse. He needed training, which they weren't equipped to give, so they transferred him to us last year to be part of our Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge.

Once he arrived, though, it was apparent he needed a great deal more training than he could get in the four months leading up to the Challenge. He was pushy, difficult to handle, and hard to be around. His original trainer disliked him so much that she asked for him to be moved not long after he arrived. In the past year, Bandera has been with a foster home and then another trainer and he's made big strides. He's no longer pushy, he leads and loads well, and he gets along with other horses.

However, it is clear he's had some trauma in his past. He leads, lunges, and even line drives, but his previous trainer said he acted scared of saddles. He's now in a long-term foster home who is willing to help work him through his fear with slow, patient work and will be getting him some body work to make sure he's comfortable.

Bandera's Wish List:

• A purple nylon safety halter ($40) and a purple cotton lead ($11) - the halter needs to be medium pony sized as he's got a small head
• Dewormer (ivermectin) ($10)
• Senior Feed ($65 for a 50 lb bag at Manvel Feed and Pet Supply - (281) 489-0066)
• Horse treats - a three ounce bag of Horse Nibbles is only $4 - so a few bags to fill up his stocking!

And he would like, more than anything, to find an adopter (in Texas) who will give him the time he needs and even be ok if he turns out not to be rideable or driveable

Read more about Bandera here

Just $73 more would bring Bandera everything but his Forever Home!

Thank you to France A., Bonnie L., Al H., Irene J., the Princess Madeleine, Dianne E., and Jill L. for helping Bandera get closer to his forever home!