Sorry for the seeming dullness here... but as a fellow horse owner, Im not sure I completely 'get it'. I understand how your poor boy ended up underweight and not trained due to that jerk... but I dont understand who is telling you he is not well enough to travel.
In most circumstances a vet...
Em, you mentioned Ocala, FL? Is that where gus is?
My trainer is in Ocala. He is a truly gentle natural horsemanship trainer. He could give you and gus a closer bond and help him over his fears. He is on youtube. David Palacio.
I cant say enough good things about him but I know its hard for...