Gilly, a Tennessee Walker / Quarter Horse is the inspiration behind Jane Augenstein's custom made saddle cloth business Gilly Wear. She has owned him since he was an undernourished 11 month old foal. Here is his story as told by Jane herself:
I got Gilly from a small rescue (3 people) operation in W.Va. in 2004. He was purchased by the rescuers from the farm where he was born and for some reason the people were letting him starve. His father, stallion, was chasing him from the food, which was rotten hay. There was no shelter for any of the horses that were in the muddy pen. See picture below.
Gilly is in the right hand of the picture. One of the paint horses is his father.
My husband had brought home a business card with the web site of the rescue people given to him by a friend of his. the friend knew I loved horses and gave it to my husband, I didn't want to look because rescue horses, I figured they would look bad and I would cry. Finally I did look and I did cry, especially when I saw little skinny Gilly. I said to my husband why did you give me this card, I can't do anything to help any of these horses. He said, why not we do live on a 40 acre farm! I said, but we have cows and not much pasture....he said there is always hay and grain to supplement if there isn't enough grass! Well, that's all it took, I called the number the next day to see if the little red colt was still available, he was, they had just added him to the site the day I saw him! We made an appointment to go and see him 3 days later. I saw him, gave them a deposit and went and picked him up the next weekend. Gilly's price was $350, I think I got one heck of a good horse for that small price.
This is the first time I saw Gilly, who was then called Davy.
The white on Gilly is lice powder and he is very skinny as you can see. He was 11 months old, 12 hh and 397 pounds. Pretty ugly speciman of a horse, but I saw an intelligent animal that just needed a chance and a lot of good food!
Gilly a little over a month after I got him, big improvement!
When I got him I didn't think he would grow and be more than a yard ornament but I was wrong, he is a magnificent creature that I love to pieces! I have trained him myself, have gone to a few horse clinics, studied a lot of horse training DVD's and had some help from some local horse trainers. Some days he can be a real stinker but we work through it. He is a quick learner and does really try for me whatever I ask him to do. We don't go to shows or compete in any events, just trail ride and enjoy life as a team.
Gilly in 2009 with a friend's 9 year old granddaughter on board. She rides hunter/jumper ponies so is a good rider. Gilly now is 16hh and 1,200 lbs. He is a wonderful horse, kind and gentle and very smart. I got a diamond in the rough and I am still working on the polish! :-)
Gilly meets Pokey, his new best friend.
Gilly - Best $350 I ever spent!
Jane's custom made saddle pad's can be found at Gilly Wear. To follow Gilly (and Pokey's) adventures visit Jane's blog Jane Augenstein - My World in Pictures
Wow, didn't he grow up well!
Posted by: Martine Greenlee | 11/21/2011 at 09:04 PM
Great choice and a great story!
Posted by: Kate | 11/21/2011 at 10:30 PM
LOVE the story!!!Its just wonderful that there are still GOOD people out there which care for indefensive creatures!!!!
Posted by: lambertslabelle | 11/22/2011 at 06:32 PM