Michelle adopted Brandon in May 2024. She knew the minute she saw him that he was the horse for her and can't wait to go on lots of fun trail adventures with him!

Original Post:
Brandon's Smile is a 4 year old, 17+ hand, grey gelding that came to us in partnership with New Start at Penn National. Brandon raced just 5 times and never did hit the board. His last workout was at the end of February of this year and his connections decided he'd do better as a riding horse than a racehorse.

Brandon's evaluations here at the farm found him to be a bit weak behind on arrival and subsequent evaluations have found some mild neurological deficits. Neck radiographs showed what may be an OCD around c6/c7. While this will be limiting, it is not career ending!

Brandon is INCREDIBLY sweet, kind, and definitely fits the description of "gentle giant." Our vet believes he will make a nice trail horse or pleasure horse for someone who wants something big, grey, and kind and has modest goals. No jumping, but flatting and trail rides are fine, and he definitely has the temperament for it!

We've had a few rides on Brandon so far, all in western tack (why not?). He's very easy going, takes the world in but doesn't get reactive to it. He loves to stretch and put his head in a natural carriage of his own and is very comfortable. You just need a ladder to get on board!

Brandon is currently turned out with geldings with no issues. He also shares a fence with mares and shows no unusual interest in them. He is just a big, friendly horse in turnout. Doesn't cause any trouble and is not the boss. Brandon has no vices of any kind.