Hank

By April 2021, Take Heart was really in need of a draft cross to be added to the herd. Hank looked perfect online – but was underweight, lanky, and 2 inches shorter than advertised, despite his hooves appearing 2 inches too long. His nose was scarred by a too-tight halter, and his fur was dirty and scruffy. He was at a trail riding facility where chaos reigned – animals getting loose and running down the road, people riding over-worked 12-hand ponies double with no helmets, the facility falling apart. The story of his sale was that he had come from an English lesson stable along with 50 other horses, purchased by this trail riding facility, but was too big and too fast for the trail riding clients so wasn’t earning his keep. Hank was tacked up with a saddle stapled together, and his bridle put in with the bit backwards and upside down. He was obviously miserable.

During his test ride, he gave the bare minimum and then with an argument. Grant convinced Meagan to take him for one more try down the trail and out of the too-small round pen. Meagan looked at Hank, told him that if he wanted to leave this place, he needed to show a little “try.” Hank shifted immediately to a willing partner! Grant and Meagan knew it was time to bring Hank to Take Heart and give him a second chance.

It took at least four baths before Hank began to look clean. With proper nutrition and exercise he began to fill out beautifully. Hank is playful and the instigator of “bitey game” in the field. He is friends with everyone in his herd. Unfortunately, Hank suffered a suspensory ligament injury not long after arriving, which took around 8 months to heal.  Hank is now back at work and loves all the attention he gets from clients. Hank is naturally playful, curious, and opinionated. He enjoys being scratched and will back into you for scratches! He is still learning about true connection and struggles with compliance and more aggressive resistance. While he is not an aggressive horse, we believe he has learned to intimidate to control people when he feels unsafe with the amount of pressure. However, when he truly connects, he is very sweet and snuggly!  We feel Hank has incredible potential. Hank’s word from God is “Fighter.”