Looking for a good trail horse? (MD/PA/VA/WV...)

analise · 11-03-2009, 11:33 AM

First, the disclaimer: I'm just a volunteer who really likes draft horses, I don't run the rescue or decide anything there. I haven't been told to make this post, I'm just doing it to hopefully spread the word about some really deserving horses (and a mule) in need of good homes. These guys are all located at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mt. Airy, MD. (and they're a 501c3 so even if you can't adopt or foster, they could really use donations for hay and grain as we're going in to winter. Or if you can't adopt but you're in the area and wouldn't mind keeping a horse for a little while, they do foster as well)

So if you're looking for a trail horse (or hubby horse or schooling show horse or pasture pet or companion horse...), look no further!

Some of my favorites:

Padraig (pronounced "Patrick"), is a nearly 19hh behemoth of a lovely guy. Used to do draft shows, if I rememberly rightly. He loves trail rides but isn't too enamored of the indoor ring. He's big, but a nice horse and polite on the ground and under saddle. Could use a sponsor to cover his care.

Blue is a 17hh 12 year old mare that was seized as a starvation case along with her mother (already adopted otu) by an animal control agency in West Virginia last year. They ended up sending both mares to GGDHR because they didn't really have the facilities to handle horses. Blue was broke to ride by Gentle Giants and is a great trail horse and has even participated in the drill team performance (scroll down for video) put on by the rescue at the Montgomery County Fair. Blue is currently being treated for Lyme disease and could use some help as her prescription is rather expensive.

Kadobi is a young draft/paint cross gelding. He's can be rather airheaded. He hasn't been broke to saddle yet but is a cute guy who needs a single person to work with him consistently (in my opinion).

Jesse is a young Belgian mule who went on his first trail ride recently and acted like, "finally you guys figured out what I like doing, geez!".

Loves his ears scratched, comes when called, and is a cool little guy. Jesse is also in need of a sponsor.

These aren't all the horses available (you can see them all here) but just a few that I figured I'd mention. If you're looking for a nice horse (or mule!) who in many cases were pulled out of pretty terrible conditions and rehabbed up to a good condition well...Gentle Giants has that.

FancyAppy · 11-03-2009, 04:03 PM

Thanks for posting analise.
I can not say enough about this outstanding rescue.
My two Shires which are beloved to me are from Gentle Giants. They are a professional. committed rescue and they truly make a difference. They are top notch all the way . I highly recommend them .
They train as well as rehab the horses to help ensure they have a bright future. If you visit their website you will see Drafts doing amazing things.

analise · 11-03-2009, 05:32 PM

No problem. I really like them a lot and I figure the more I get the word out, the more likely it is these guys can find good homes.

analise · 11-04-2009, 01:08 PM

Bumping!

(Be glad to answer questions if I'm able. Or even post more pictures. I've taken many at the rescue so I should have one or two extra of just about everybody)

Tonto4me · 11-05-2009, 10:41 AM

OMG!! I so love that mule! I would love to have him, except I have no way of getting him to Cincinnati, OH

Renee

nikkki1990 · 11-05-2009, 10:51 AM

my mom wants a draft but we would have to sell her POA appy first T.T I think I would miss Chewy tooo much ..good luck

analise · 11-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonto4me

OMG!! I so love that mule! I would love to have him, except I have no way of getting him to Cincinnati, OH

Renee

Maybe the folks here could help with a pony-train. Or something.

Though the big thing would actually be that Christine would want you go to come to MD first and meet Jesse and ride him. I know she had some folks she helped get a few horses out to OK but they had to come here first and try them out, she wouldn't just send them sight-unseen. (Which is, to my mind, a good thing, since it would be pretty terrible for them to have gotten all the way out there only for the people to realize they don't get along with their newly adopted horses.

)

Tonto4me · 11-05-2009, 12:18 PM

That is totally understandable, not sure if I could make that kind of trip especially by myself and not even sure how long it would take to drive there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by analise

Maybe the folks here could help with a pony-train. Or something.

Though the big thing would actually be that Christine would want you go to come to MD first and meet Jesse and ride him. I know she had some folks she helped get a few horses out to OK but they had to come here first and try them out, she wouldn't just send them sight-unseen. (Which is, to my mind, a good thing, since it would be pretty terrible for them to have gotten all the way out there only for the people to realize they don't get along with their newly adopted horses.

)

analise · 11-05-2009, 12:32 PM

Looks like it's a 7.5 hour drive according to googlemaps.

draftlover · 11-08-2009, 03:13 PM

I am not in the market for another horse but am saving the link to my favorites for future use. Thanks for posting this info.

11-03-2009, 11:33 AM	#1
analise Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 172 Images: 10	Looking for a good trail horse? (MD/PA/VA/WV...) First, the disclaimer: I'm just a volunteer who really likes draft horses, I don't run the rescue or decide anything there. I haven't been told to make this post, I'm just doing it to hopefully spread the word about some really deserving horses (and a mule) in need of good homes. These guys are all located at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mt. Airy, MD. (and they're a 501c3 so even if you can't adopt or foster, they could really use donations for hay and grain as we're going in to winter. Or if you can't adopt but you're in the area and wouldn't mind keeping a horse for a little while, they do foster as well) So if you're looking for a trail horse (or hubby horse or schooling show horse or pasture pet or companion horse...), look no further! Some of my favorites: Padraig (pronounced "Patrick"), is a nearly 19hh behemoth of a lovely guy. Used to do draft shows, if I rememberly rightly. He loves trail rides but isn't too enamored of the indoor ring. He's big, but a nice horse and polite on the ground and under saddle. Could use a sponsor to cover his care. Blue is a 17hh 12 year old mare that was seized as a starvation case along with her mother (already adopted otu) by an animal control agency in West Virginia last year. They ended up sending both mares to GGDHR because they didn't really have the facilities to handle horses. Blue was broke to ride by Gentle Giants and is a great trail horse and has even participated in the drill team performance (scroll down for video) put on by the rescue at the Montgomery County Fair. Blue is currently being treated for Lyme disease and could use some help as her prescription is rather expensive. Kadobi is a young draft/paint cross gelding. He's can be rather airheaded. He hasn't been broke to saddle yet but is a cute guy who needs a single person to work with him consistently (in my opinion). Jesse is a young Belgian mule who went on his first trail ride recently and acted like, "finally you guys figured out what I like doing, geez!". Loves his ears scratched, comes when called, and is a cool little guy. Jesse is also in need of a sponsor. These aren't all the horses available (you can see them all here) but just a few that I figured I'd mention. If you're looking for a nice horse (or mule!) who in many cases were pulled out of pretty terrible conditions and rehabbed up to a good condition well...Gentle Giants has that.

11-03-2009, 04:03 PM	#2
FancyAppy Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pa. Posts: 1,165 Images: 243	Thanks for posting analise. I can not say enough about this outstanding rescue. My two Shires which are beloved to me are from Gentle Giants. They are a professional. committed rescue and they truly make a difference. They are top notch all the way . I highly recommend them . They train as well as rehab the horses to help ensure they have a bright future. If you visit their website you will see Drafts doing amazing things. __________________ HIDDEN ACRES FARM HOME TO MINIATURE HORSES, MINIATURE DONKEYS, TWO SHIRE MARES,MANY NUTTY GOATS , A QH PEST AND A SPOILED FAT APPY

11-05-2009, 10:41 AM	#5
Tonto4me Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 589 Images: 151	OMG!! I so love that mule! I would love to have him, except I have no way of getting him to Cincinnati, OH Renee __________________ I love my fuzzy eight leggers......

11-05-2009, 10:51 AM	#6
nikkki1990 Full Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PA Posts: 299 Images: 23	my mom wants a draft but we would have to sell her POA appy first T.T I think I would miss Chewy tooo much ..good luck __________________ Arwin, Jasmine, Buck, Charlie, Tonka, Chewy, Leroy Chyan, Comet, Penny RIP Skip

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11-03-2009, 05:32 PM	#3
analise Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 172 Images: 10	No problem. I really like them a lot and I figure the more I get the word out, the more likely it is these guys can find good homes.

11-04-2009, 01:08 PM	#4
analise Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 172 Images: 10	Bumping! (Be glad to answer questions if I'm able. Or even post more pictures. I've taken many at the rescue so I should have one or two extra of just about everybody)

11-05-2009, 12:32 PM	#9
analise Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 172 Images: 10	Looks like it's a 7.5 hour drive according to googlemaps.

11-08-2009, 03:13 PM	#10
draftlover Full Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 191	I am not in the market for another horse but am saving the link to my favorites for future use. Thanks for posting this info.