New Draft Horse Pics

ThreeBoysChicks

Songster
12 Years
Sep 19, 2007
1,915
16
194
Thurmont, MD
Well life has been a lot crazy over the last few months. The economy, pay cuts, etc. But my family has been truly blessed and we are doing great. I wanted to share the story of our newest horse and new best friend.

I had written a couple of months back about our suddenly losing our horse Duncan. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=180875

Duncan
was an awesome gentleman that would allow anyone to ride him and always did his best to understand what it is they wanted him to do.

So we have one horse that we rescued via Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue and I knew I wanted to rescue another Giant. When I contacted Christine and told her what I was looking for, a great horse that was easy going, she suggested I look at Monty. Well when I saw his picture, I knew he was the one. He is a larger version of Duncan. Several weeks went by, a couple of visits to their farm and he came home this past Wednesday to stay.

BEFORE ANYONE PANICS - I know he is skinny. He was a starvation case out of Tenessee and the previous owner surrendered him back in April 2009. Imagine what he looked like then. In addition, he shows evidence of previously having laminitis so we are controlling his diet, easing him into our pasture which is lush, more than what he is probable used to having available.

Monty has already done his first "Pony" rides as the kids call them. We hosted a baseball end-of-season party here yesterday and Monty and Chantilly gave rides to all who wanted.

Without further ado, here is Monty. He is thought to be 13 - 15 years old, he is a gelding and stands 18 hands or more. I also inlcluded an updated picture of Chantilly our rescued Belgian.

Monty - His first day here
20090715_Monty_web.jpg


Monty - Today July 19 - Getting along with Chantilly, the ducks, chickens, geese and the goats. He loves to eat.
20090712Monty_web.jpg


Chantilly - She is 17.2 hands and about 15 years old herself
20090715-Chantilly_web.jpg


If you are interested in Rescuing a Gentle Giant, you should visit their website at http://www.gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.com/
 
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What a handsome boy, bless you for taking him in and giving him a great new home. I'm sure he will reward you for your kindness and be everything you want him to be. But, 18 hands tall?!?
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It must take a stepladder to get up onto him and that's a loooong way to the ground if you fall off.
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I am 6 ft 3 with long legs and there was a day when I could swing up on a horse that size, but hey, why work so hard. I built a mounting block.

And the great thing about these big babies is that they are so well behaved that I have never come close to falling off.
 
Such beautiful horses! Monty's not THAT skinny and I have a feeling within a couple of months at your place, he'll be filled out and gorgeous.

Love Chantilly's little shorty tail. Did she get it caught up in a fence or do you purposefully keep it that short?
 
They are lovely. I love the big horses! We "rescued" our big boy from the "farm" my husband works at. I say rescue because he was being neglected and we just couldn't stand it. I don't know what a real rescue charges for "re-homing" or adopting or what ever they call it, but we payed to bring Gabe home where he can be outside and work and be ridden instead of standing in a ridiculously small stall all day!

I know I've posted photos of him before, but these "gentle giants" are so amazing. They just steal my heart whenever I see one. Plus, their temperament is so wonderful, you can't help but love them!!

21675_horses_008.jpg


Gabe is a 3 year old American Cream Draft Gelding. DH says he's like riding a couch!! I just love petting him. He follows me around - I think for food, but I'm going with 'cause he loves me!
 
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Chantilly is a retired Amish Work Horse. The Amish as a rule, doc their work horse's tails. They are easier to maintain and the person behind the horse does not get hit in the face with them, etc. I would imagine her tail might be as big as Monty's if she actually had a tail. Her physical tail is only aout 6 - 8 inches long where as Monty is much longer. Never actually measured it.
 
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Gabe is beautiful!

The cost for rehoming really depends on how much they had to pay to get the horse and the horse's ability, meaning what they will be able to do in life in the future. I paid for Chantilly. Monty however was surrendered (they did not pay for him) and because of his history with laminitis and need for special diet and control and the fact that he is not thought to be up to hard work, Gentle Giants agreed to allow me to be his foster home forever. So I did not pay for him up front, but will cover all of his expenses from this point forward. In addition, Gentle Giants currently has 40+ horses on hand that they are rehabilitating and training.
 
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