Last year we took in Gabriel, a cute little horse we were told was a Friesian cross. He’s pretty small for a Friesian, but he’s very cute, and has a lovely emo-type mane and tail!
Gabriel was adopted out last year, but his owner contacted us this month and said that Gabriel was having issues under saddle and would be happier retired. We always take our horse back because we know that people’s situations change, and we want to make sure that our horses are safe throughout their lives.
Gabriel has been well-cared for, and settled back into life at Hanaeleh without an issue. We thought he might be able to live with Hope, but that pairing did NOT work out at all, so instead we built him a stall next to Gypsy.
One of our lovely volunteers, Leslie and her very patient husband Charley, came out last weekend and installed an automatic waterer for him so we wouldn’t have to keep filling up his water bucket. We have ordered a shelter for him, and while he has a tree for shade, we will make sure to put that up so he will have a safe place to stand in inclement weather. For now, he just seems happy that his feed bin is constantly filled with hay.
We did put Gabriel out with Raven (our registered Friesian mare), and while they weren’t perfect together, they had a few sweet moments. There were several “I shall call him, ‘Mini-me’-types of quotes (mostly by Elizabeth) while they were out together. We don’t know if they will eventually be able to live together, but it’s nice that he can have a friend. He seems very content in the stall next to Gypsy, and Gypsy has already taught him how to poop in one corner so he doesn’t mess up his stall.
Gabriel has quickly become a favorite at Hanaeleh, and enjoys lots of snacks and his mane and tail being brushed by the volunteers! He is also pretty sweet when you have a treat in your hand. We look forward to getting to know Gabriel again!
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- Gabriel in his new stall
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- Raven (left) says hello to her mini-me Gabriel (right)
