Jimothy Wins “Problematic Foal” of the Week—and Katie Wants to Know if He Deserved It
Every Monday, Katie looks back at the previous seven days and chooses one young horse for a playful title: Problematic Foal of the Week.
The candidates are the foals born in 2026, including the two miniature foals. Katie considers who has been difficult for their handlers, caused a little chaos, or found another memorable way to stand out.
This week’s winner had only just arrived at Running Springs.
“Jimmy Jimothy,” Katie announced, “you are awarded Problematic Foal your first week here.”
Jimothy is Miss Pinky’s big colt. Katie bought Pinky from Stephanie, while Stephanie still owns Jimothy and plans to keep him for now as she considers what to do when he is older. Since he is staying at Running Springs with his mother, Katie decided he was eligible for the weekly award.
She also had a case to make for his nomination.
During the move to Running Springs, Jimothy had to load onto a trailer for the first time. Katie said loading took a while. He was sassy about the process and kicked at Pinky, giving Stephanie a glimpse of the work ahead as she helps him learn to lead.
Katie described him as a youngster who had mostly followed his mother up to this point. That arrangement is becoming less convenient now that he is such a big fellow.
Once Jimothy was on the trailer, though, he traveled well. Katie made sure to give him credit for that.
The move was a significant first for the colt: he left the place where he had been born, raised, and boarded and came to a new farm with his mother. His difficult loading moment was part of the story, but so was the good behavior that followed.
Jimothy supplied Katie with one more example while she was explaining his award. Standing beside Pinky, he tried to bite at her udder.
“Don’t bite her nipple, son,” Katie told him.
Pinky was close enough to hear her son being discussed, and Katie reassured her that she would come over and give her some affection. Mother and son were still in quarantine at Running Springs, settling in after their arrival.
For all Katie’s talk of his troublesome first week, the award came with a generous qualification: she did not think Jimothy’s behavior would normally have been enough to win.
The other foals had simply been good.
Katie joked that she might have had trouble choosing anyone at all until Pinky’s boy arrived and gave her a reason to say his name. His first trailer-loading attempt, his need for more practice leading, and his behavior around his mother put him in the running during an otherwise quiet week.
It was a teasing title, delivered with clear affection for a colt Katie was enjoying getting to know.
Jimothy had already made an impression during his first outing in the arena. Katie admired his size and watched him move alongside Pinky. Now, in his first week at Running Springs, he had revealed another side of himself: a young horse with plenty still to learn.
Stephanie will have time to work with him as he settles in. For now, Katie has given him a place in the farm’s Monday tradition—and opened the decision to the fans.
Was Jimothy fairly crowned after his sassy loading attempt and antics with Pinky? Or did a first trip to a new home earn him a little extra understanding?
What do you think: did Jimothy deserve “Problematic Foal” of the Week, or was he framed?
