Draft Gratitude

10/16/2025

Who remembers Jimmy?

Jimmy was here way back in 2016! He was a sweet, sweet boy. He had Shivers, a neurological condition that affects a horse’s coordination—usually in their back legs. You might see them lift or shake a hind leg when backing up or during a farrier visit. It’s not painful, but it can make certain things a little harder for them.

Jimmy was here with us for about 2-1/2 years living his best life, enjoying retirement. He also is the "movie star" in the Draft Gratitude video that is on our website.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

10/13/2025

Don't forget to grab your tickets!!

Our 50/50 Raffle is officially open! Every ticket you buy goes straight toward hay, grain, and vet care for the horses who call Draft Gratitude home.

Tickets are just $10, and the more sold-the bigger the prize pot!

https://givebutter.com/dg-raffle

10/13/2025

Draft Gratitude's Bert

Yes, you read that right—her name is Bert. And if you’ve been around Belgian mares long enough, you’ll know she’s not the only one! For whatever reason, there seem to be a surprising number of beautiful, Belgian mares named Bert out there.

Our Bert is well into her 20s now, and she’s as steady and kind as they come. She spent a few wonderful years adopted out at a local private school, helping students learn about horses and farm life. When the school decided to make changes to their program and no longer kept horses, Bert came back home to us.

She fit right back in, like she’d never left. Bert’s the kind of horse who quietly wins everyone’s heart. She’s easy to be around, patient, and always up for a gentle scratch or soft pat on the neck. And unlike some of her pasture mates (we won’t name names), Bert isn’t one to stir up trouble.

She’s just… Bert. Sweet, calm, dependable Bert—the kind of horse that makes the barn feel like home.

10/09/2025

IT'S MYTHBUSTERS TIME! 🔎

As we know, our equine companions can be quite accident-prone. Injuries can vary in severity from small surface cuts that can be managed at home to deep wounds that require sutures that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

As a horse owner, it's inevitable that your equine will sustain several less severe wounds throughout the course of its life, and you may be tempted to clean these wounds with products such as hydrogen peroxide in an effort to prevent infection. However, hydrogen peroxide may cause more harm than good to the healing process.

The truth is that hydrogen peroxide is much too aggressive and toxic to the fibroblasts and other healthy cells that aid in wound healing. Therefore, the use of hydrogen peroxide can actually delay wound healing. In addition, its use can be quite painful when being applied to the wound site.

Instead, it's important to use an isotonic solution (similar in pH to the fluids of the body). Ideally this solution will be warmed to limit the amount of constriction of the blood vessels. If you're in a bind and the wound is grossly contaminated, clean tap water is acceptable to clean the injury site but be sure to use gentle water pressure.

Overall, be sure to approach wound care and cleaning with caution so that you do not unintentionally worsen the injury or slow the healing process. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, concentrated antiseptics like Betadine or chlorhexidine that have not yet been diluted, or high pressure when applying water or cleansing agents.

If you have questions or concerns about wound care or are unsure if a wound needs veterinary intervention, contact your veterinarian.

10/08/2025

Scooter met Dr. Baillie of Hess McWilliams Veterinary Services today. He was an exceptional patient. He had a wellness exam, some vaccinations, and a manure sample was taken back to the lab for a f***l egg count.

Scooter also had his first hoof trim with Kerry Hanson. He was pretty good for this too!

Next we will work on cleaning up some skin gunk and getting his teeth checked out and floated.

The other pics are just all four sides of him that we will be able to use as "before" pics as we track his weight gain.

Great day. 💚

10/08/2025

What do our horses eat?

Our horses have access to hay 24/7. We primarily use large square bales that are in feeders to keep the hay off the ground and covered from any weather.

We feed Blue Seal Active Senior grain and Blue Seal Hay Stretcher in varying amounts to each horse.

We then add water to each bucket in additon to needed medications or supplements.

10/07/2025

Dolly's

These photos are 6 months apart. Dolly is doing great. She shares a paddock with Royal, Penny, and Maebee. And, she is the boss.

10/05/2025

🌟 Volunteer Opportunity: Marketing & Social Media Helper for Barnfinds at Draft Gratitude!

Do you love marketing, thrifting, or horses? Come help us grow BarnFinds, our little gift and tack shop at Draft Gratitude!

We’re looking for a creative, marketing-minded volunteer to help us share all the unique treasures that come through the shop.

What you’ll do:

👩‍💻Help create and manage a simple social media schedule to show off what’s new at BarnFinds (gently used tack, gifts, and more!)

📸Work with Becky and the team on photos, short videos, and fun stories from the barn

🤔 ideas to increase visibility and help shoppers discover the shop

🛍️(Optional down the road!) Explore how we might sell online and ship items to supporters

What we’re looking for:

Some marketing, social media, or content creation experience

Someone who loves creative projects and can work independently

Comfortable collaborating remotely—we’re happy to share photos, video clips, and updates so you can work your magic

Time commitment: Flexible! Even a few hours a week makes a big difference.

This is a great way to use your marketing skills for a cause that helps senior draft horses live out their days in comfort and care. 💛

Interested? Send us a quick message or email ([email protected]) —we’d love to chat!

10/05/2025

Welcome Scooter!

Scooter is a senior Belgian gelding who just arrived this afternoon. He will need a wellness exam, f***l egg count, vaccines, hoof care, dental care, and plenty of groceries.

He will meet our veterinarian this week.

Will you give $20 toward his veterinary appointment?

Thank you!!

10/01/2025

Draft Mules?

Draft mules are the best of both worlds—a cross between a draft horse mare (like a Belgian or Percheron) and a donkey jack.

The result? A hardworking powerhouse with the size and strength of a horse and the toughness, smarts, and endurance of a donkey.

Draft mules are known for eating less, working longer, and handling heat better than horses, all while being sure-footed and long-lived.

They can’t reproduce, so every mule is a one-of-a-kind creation—but once you’ve met one, you’ll never forget their big personality and even bigger heart!

Rosie was a Belgian Mule.
Winston is a Percheron Mule.

Show us your draft mule below!

09/29/2025

Update on Jack!

Jack is a handsome Percheron gelding with the sweetest soul—and some of the most unique “socks” we've ever seen. Blind in his left eye, he takes the world one careful step at a time. He’s not worried, though.

Jack enjoys sharing a paddock with Bert, Queen, and Pam—three friends who make his days a little brighter. 🐴💛

Where Jack gets a little puzzled is when it comes time for hoof care. Not stubborn, not mean—just… confused. It’s as if he’s saying, “Wait a second, you want me to do what with my giant foot?” Jackgles is still figuring out what this whole hoof-lifting business is about.

The truth is, Jack isn’t giving us a hard time—he’s giving us a learning opportunity. He’s reminding us that patience, clear communication, and maybe even a little humor go a long way. And when he finally does offer that massive hoof, it feels like a little victory.

Big heart, big hooves, cool socks—Jack might keep us on our toes, but he keeps us smiling too. 🧦❤️