Charlie

I have known this horse for a couple of years now, and it was a great pleasure to finally have a photo shoot with this gentle giant. This is what his owner, Janet Wells of Erin, Ontario, has to say of her horse Charlie.

"Charlie is a very handsome 5 year old Belgian cross and is a wonderful example of the popular combination. This big gelding has a beautiful chestnut coat with a flaxen mane and tail.

Charlie's "beginnings" were a bit uncertain. He was shipped from a western Canada PMU farm to Ontario, non-stop, in a two-level livestock transport truck. All the young foals were crammed into the truck with no food or water - it was definitely a case of the survival of the fittest.

Upon arrival in Ontario, the colts and fillies were separated into different pastures. Claire Hunter, owner of Braecrest Stables, was looking for a young project she could work on. She went to see the fillies hoping to find one that would be suitable. Most of the foals who had made the trip were malnourished, with ribs showing and matted coats. Charlie was no exception, at the tender age of 6 months he was very underweight (see photo below). Charlie was the only colt in with the fillies - he must have slipped through in the separation process. This was indeed lucky for him, since he was the one that Claire chose.

Soon after arriving at his new home, young Charlie developed a cold from the hardships of his long trip. He ended up with pneumonia. Charlie was a strong colt and managed to pull through with diligent nursing by Claire.

At the age of two, I purchased Charlie from Claire as a pleasure horse and potential field hunter prospect. Claire remains a big part of Charlie's life and he has been back home with Claire on and off over the past three years for training. Now at 17 hh and still growing, Charlie is a very handsome and impressive young horse. He has a gentle personality and is very trusting and willing."

Congratulations to Charlie for being our July 30^th Horse of the Week!