- Skills / Disciplines
- Beginner, Companion, Draft, Flaxen Mane, Harness, Husband Safe, Kid Safe, Longe Line, Mounted Patrol, Pack, Ranch Work, Trail, Trail Riding, Trained, Vaulting
Additional Comments
FOR SALE – “Duke”, 16yo, 17hh Belgian Draft gelding.
To no fault of his own, Duke is seeking his next adventure! Our teaching program purchased Duke from a well-respected dude ranch in hopes for training to be a beginner lesson horse for our larger riders in our established PE and lesson program, but he just doesn’t love the arena job! He is a good boy and a walk-trot champion with an extremely comfortable and rhythmical slow trot.... (read more) He has a nice canter (as not all drafts do!) but it’s hard for him to hold it for long periods of time. Duke is definitely more "whoa" than go, and is voice trained for the arena.
Duke LOVES to go trail riding around the property where he is now – he does NOT care about any kind of car, bike, runner, dogs, serious construction with all kinds of machinery, or really anything at all. He will walk over just about anything and presumably will go through water. He lunges great and long-lines - he has been vaulted off once before with great potential for being a Walk/Trot vaulting horse. Teaching beginner riders in the arena just does not spark his joy and we would love to find him a perfect home where his lovable size (not too big—just big enough!) allows him to be a special horse for someone who shares his love of long walks in the woods, trail adventures, and anything other than being ’stuck’ in an arena every day! Duke has the perfect “in your pocket” personality, is incredibly smart, and is gentle enough for beginner level handlers. He has no vices and finding him a home where he can be treated like the amazing horse he is, is a must.
When we bought him in Dec. 2021 we did a full pre-purchase, including x-rays (no ring bone or side bone!), and we are happy to make those available. He goes barefoot and stands nicely for the farrier and is great about picking up his feet for handlers of all sizes. He hauled here well and is good for our vet, in the wash rack, and in the barn. He has lived with horses and by himself. He is up-to-date on all shots and veterinary care.
We have videos of him being ridden, vaulting, lunging, and trail riding that we are happy to share.
Serious buyers only. Sale price is $10,000. Duke is located on the Peninsula, just outside San Francisco.
