Gunner
Height: 15.0 hh (est)
Weight: 1,000 (est)
DOB: 2002 (est)
Sex: Gelding
Color: Bay
Breed: Grade
DNA: 1st Mountain Pleasure Horse,
2nd Selle Francais,
3rd Tennessee Walker
Adoption Fee: $550
Category: Companion
Weight: 1,000 (est)
DOB: 2002 (est)
Sex: Gelding
Color: Bay
Breed: Grade
DNA: 1st Mountain Pleasure Horse,
2nd Selle Francais,
3rd Tennessee Walker
Adoption Fee: $550
Category: Companion
Gunner's Story
Gunner came to AAE with two of his buddies in mid-January 2018 from a neglect situation. Fortunately, Gunner was in pretty good condition upon arrival, comparatively speaking. Gunner is late teens, and stands about 15.0 hands.
Gunner is a shy guy that appears to have been mis-handled at some point in life. He is halterable, curious, gentle, and willing, but lacks confidence. Gunner has made consistent progress, and he's become much more willing to interact with humans since he's been here, and the more consistently he's handled, the better he is. He's starting to seek attention. He's softened considerably, and we haven't identified any major issues. Per prior owner, he was started under saddle, but not ridden consistently nor finished, and he had not been ridden for some time (years). We'll continue to build trust and confidence with Gunner while he is with AAE.
We continued socializing and initiated groundwork, and progressed to saddle and bridle work. He accepted, but he didn't much appreciate a saddle. He tolerates, but hasn't had any breakthrough moments where he seems to remember saddles from the past. Ongoing saddle work and stepping up to a mounting block revealed a bucking issue. He was able to work through the left side, but the right side continues to be a challenge. It's possible someone with a lot of time to develop his confidence can work through it, but considering his age and limited training resources, Gunner will be adopted as a non-riding horse.
Gunner is looking for a horse-experienced home, someone with experience with horses with trust issues, and someone willing to give him the time he needs to trust and flourish before asking more than he can comfortably give. He does well in a herd environment or with one or two other horses; however, when he has a mare he's buddied up with, he is possessive and protective.
Gunner spent some time with a foster (one of AAE's adopters) where he hung out with cattle. He showed his gentler, nurturing side when he nuzzled up with a newborn calf. How sweet is that!
Gunner is up to date with dental and hoof care, vaccines, deworming, and he has a microchip.
In general, there is a lot of activity around AAE including foot traffic in and out of paddock/pasture areas, mucking with wheelbarrows, grooming and care activities, weekly farrier visits. There are resident dogs, cats, chickens, and mini horses, as well as various wildlife including frequent turkeys and squirrels in and around paddock/pasture areas. AAE is situated on the corner of a busy road with high speed vehicles, trucks, and sirens. Tractors are used in and around pasture/paddock areas, trucks deliver feed, and a squeeze is occasionally used for unloading hay. Neighbors have weekly gardeners that utilize various power tools, and children that are active in yards adjacent to some stall/paddock areas. Horses at AAE are accustomed to a more active environment as opposed to a quiet/sterile environment.
Gunner is a shy guy that appears to have been mis-handled at some point in life. He is halterable, curious, gentle, and willing, but lacks confidence. Gunner has made consistent progress, and he's become much more willing to interact with humans since he's been here, and the more consistently he's handled, the better he is. He's starting to seek attention. He's softened considerably, and we haven't identified any major issues. Per prior owner, he was started under saddle, but not ridden consistently nor finished, and he had not been ridden for some time (years). We'll continue to build trust and confidence with Gunner while he is with AAE.
We continued socializing and initiated groundwork, and progressed to saddle and bridle work. He accepted, but he didn't much appreciate a saddle. He tolerates, but hasn't had any breakthrough moments where he seems to remember saddles from the past. Ongoing saddle work and stepping up to a mounting block revealed a bucking issue. He was able to work through the left side, but the right side continues to be a challenge. It's possible someone with a lot of time to develop his confidence can work through it, but considering his age and limited training resources, Gunner will be adopted as a non-riding horse.
Gunner is looking for a horse-experienced home, someone with experience with horses with trust issues, and someone willing to give him the time he needs to trust and flourish before asking more than he can comfortably give. He does well in a herd environment or with one or two other horses; however, when he has a mare he's buddied up with, he is possessive and protective.
Gunner spent some time with a foster (one of AAE's adopters) where he hung out with cattle. He showed his gentler, nurturing side when he nuzzled up with a newborn calf. How sweet is that!
Gunner is up to date with dental and hoof care, vaccines, deworming, and he has a microchip.
In general, there is a lot of activity around AAE including foot traffic in and out of paddock/pasture areas, mucking with wheelbarrows, grooming and care activities, weekly farrier visits. There are resident dogs, cats, chickens, and mini horses, as well as various wildlife including frequent turkeys and squirrels in and around paddock/pasture areas. AAE is situated on the corner of a busy road with high speed vehicles, trucks, and sirens. Tractors are used in and around pasture/paddock areas, trucks deliver feed, and a squeeze is occasionally used for unloading hay. Neighbors have weekly gardeners that utilize various power tools, and children that are active in yards adjacent to some stall/paddock areas. Horses at AAE are accustomed to a more active environment as opposed to a quiet/sterile environment.
