Trompo

Trompo with his polo Mohawk!

• Breed: Argentine Criollo/ Quarter Horse/ Thoroughbred
• Color: Chestnut
• DOB: 01/01/1991
• Sex: Gelding
• Size: 15.2 hands

This past weekend I had the privilege to go out to the CTRC facility to meet one of the horses, Trompo, and his barn buddy Deborah. Over a month ago Deborah was paired with Trompo to be his barn buddy, but she already has a feel for his personality and optimism for their future. She describes him as complacent, calm, and content, which is a little surprising considering his competitive background. 

[Trompo, Deborah (Barn Buddy), Amanda (Caregiver)]

Before coming to CTRC Trompo had a very athletic and challenging career, he was a polo pony. Polo ponies are very skilled and disciplined equestrians. According to the SportPOLO website, “the equestrian sport of polo demands the quick burst of speed seen in Thoroughbred horses. And the rapid turn of play in pursuit of the ball necessitates the agility of Quarter horses.” Trompo has all of these genetics and them some. He is also part Argentina Criollo, the native horse of Argentina. They are known for their hardiness and endurance. All of these characteristics make for a great polo pony. Perhaps he excelled at the rapid turns and spins because Trompo in Spanish means “spinning top; spin.” The polo ponies have a big role in the potential and success of the polo team and Trompo has dedicated most of his life competing in Polo Sport.

[Polo match picture from http://www.sportpolo.com/Sport/default.htm]

In October Trompo joined the CTRC equestrian therapy team. He has made a great adjustment to the team and the riders. It is hard to tell that he is new because he does so well in the sessions and with the volunteers. Getting to know him is easy, Deborah already knows the way he likes his carrots, mixed in with his mash. She goes to CTRC as often as she can to clean out his stall, brush him down (which is a big job when he is losing his winter coat), pick his hooves, and give him treats. She has found that working with the horses is a very calming experience and she looks forward to the hours spent caring for Trompo. Also she is bilingual; speaking Spanish to an Argentinean horse will help with their communication. I think that their barn buddy relationship is off to a great start!

[Deborah doing her barn buddy duty]

When I was visiting on Saturday morning, Trompo was quite a busy guy. He had a visit from Deborah and some breakfast. Then Amanda, a care giver, came to take him to the tack area to get him ready for his session. After she got him all saddled up and ready to go a horse leader came and took him into the arena to warm up. Shortly after, he started his hour therapy session with one of the riders. Finally around noon he would back to enjoying the warm Saturday afternoon. 

[Trompo working in a therapy session.]

Meeting Trompo was a great experience. He is a very calm, sweet, and gentle equestrian therapist. He sure didn’t mind all the extra attention and pets he received when I was there. And I swear he posed for the camera. Right before I took this picture, he gladly turned his head my direction and waited for me to snap a photo. He’s had quite a career so far and will continue it helping enrich lives at CTRC. If you have any memories with Trompo share them below!