2008 Palomino gelding
Pilgrim comes to us for continued training from the Santana Center in Rhode Island. Originally rescued from the kill pen on Thanksgiving Day of 2017, Pilgrim spent six months regaining health and beginning groundwork at the Santana Center before being fostered out and subsequently adopted in 2018.
Despite every effort on the part of his adopted family, including clinics and a month of training with a professional in MA, it was ultimately decided that Pilgrim would need to return to his home rescue. While he made significant progress during the past year, including becoming much happier and more comfortable in his interactions with people, Pilgrim was simply not able to be the relaxed trail horse his family needed. This boy is sweet and handsome but has some fear issues from whatever occurred in his past. Thanks to the good work done by his adopters, Pilgrim now has lovely ground manners, is quiet for vet and farrier, and connects well with his handlers. He has done various versatility clinics, and was ridden Western this past year.
After evaluating Pilgrim, we found that despite the his extensive under saddle experience, he would get anxious when being ridden, and therefore he became quick and tight as a coping mechanism. Because of this we have been taking our time to slowly get Pilgrim to relax while carrying a rider. Our goal is to restore his confidence and help him enjoy being ridden. Our trainers have been very patient with him, and he can now be ridden in the arena, walk/trot on a loose rein. We are working with Pilgrim on balancing himself under saddle and getting him to bend through his body. Pilgrim has already improved immensely, but we still have a ways to ensure he is completely comfortable and ready for his new home. This adorable gelding has a very "in your pocket" personality. He loves attention and being with a person. His loving personality makes working with this golden gelding very rewarding and we are excited to watch his progress.
Update: Pilgrim is currently undergoing some soundness problems so he is not available at this time. However, he is being a super great patient and is thoroughly enjoying all the TLC. We are hopeful that after some rest and shoeing changes that Pilgrim will be feeling better soon!
