Hershey is an Appendix (Quarter horse/Thoroughbred cross) gelding. He came back to Hanaeleh a few years ago when his owner was unable to care for him. He is in his mid-20s, and is now a permanent resident of Hanaeleh.
Hershey has navicular, and he has arthritis in his hips, so it is difficult for him to canter sometimes, but we still exercise him regularly. We bought him some boots so he is more comfortable when he is out on the pavement, but he seems comfortable in the arena. Elizabeth also taught him how to pull a cart, which he has taken to very well. Unfortunately he gets nervous when he is out alone on the street, but we have found that he is great and has no problem pulling the cart or walking out on the street as long as another horse is out with him. Elizabeth will also ride Hershey when she practices horse archery- he is steady and doesn’t spook at all when she shoots off of his back.
Sometimes Hershey can be very, very sweet, and sometimes he can be a grumpy old man who will threaten to kick or bite people. When he is grumpy we have to get after him and remind him to mind his manners, but he is always a perfect gentleman when he is working- he knows his job, and he has an excellent work ethic!
Hershey is what we call a “hard-keeper”- he gets a LOT of food, and sometimes he will just go on hunger strike and we have to figure out what he wants to eat that week. He eats a mixture of grain and pellets for breakfast and dinner, but that mixture changes about once a month, whenever he gets bored. He also gets about 10 pounds of grain and supplements once a day, including a pain medication to help keep him comfortable. He is a lot of work, but we know he is worth it!