Meet Our Resident Ambassadors
Our Resident Ambassadors truly embody the Gentle Giants spirit and serve to educate the public about the hardships draft horses like them can face. They meet the public at events, expositions, and day to day on the farm, sharing their unique stories and the mission of Gentle Giants. These horses will remain with us for the remainder of their lives.
King
King (Seneca Valley King) was surrendered by his owner in 2019. He now enjoys Resident Ambassador status and attends public events to educate people about draft horses. King has participated in breed demonstrations at the World Horse Expo and when he’s not out strutting his stuff, he enjoys a peaceful retirement alongside his lifelong partner, Ada.
King’s care is partially sponsored by K. Huber and J. Nuti. Thank you!
Phantom
Phantom arrived to Gentle Giants in May of 2020. At only 7 years old and a staggering 20.1 hands tall, Phantom is the tallest horse currently on the farm. Due to his incredible height, Phantom has gained the attention of millions across social and other international media platforms. He’s been featured on The Five on Fox News, the NY Post, Yahoo News UK, and many more! Phantom enjoys his celebrity status, greeting numerous visitors a day for tours and showing off his large stature at events.
My care is partially sponsored by S. Giancola, and C. O’Neill. Thank you!
Sainte
Sainte came to Gentle Giants after his owner suffered a medical crisis. Sainte is a Gypsy Cob and is a great example that even highly desirable and well bred breeds of horses can end up in need of rescue. He can be high maintenance (imagine how much shampoo and conditioner we go through to maintain that fabulous hair!) but his goofy personality makes him a favorite for volunteers and visitors.
Sainte’s care is fully sponsored by J. Tyler and L. Angeletti. Thank you!
Honey
Honey initially came to us as a starvation case from Pennsylvania. We brought her up to a healthy weight and she was adopted to a seemingly perfect adopter who later moved out of state without telling us and at some point later sold her. It took us an entire year of searching before we found Honey in a bad situation and were able to bring her safely home. Honey’s case is one of many reasons that adoption contracts are so important!
Honey’s care is fully sponsored by J. Barlow, E. Davis, and B. Reynolds. Thank you!
Yoda
Yoda came from auction in 2021. He is our newest Resident Ambassador and is fully blind! When we saw a fully blind horse at the auction we had to step in and help him. He has adjusted to life at the rescue and will help educate the public about draft horses and horses with vision loss.
Yoda’s care is fully sponsored by D. O’Connor, K. Foreman, and E. Dixon. Thank you!
DJ
Can you believe that hair?! DJ came to us as part of a larger rescue-to-rescue transfer. He is a very curious boy and is just a little bit silly! Most days you can find him standing at the highest point in his pasture overlooking the entire farm. He was recently gelded and has entered our training program where he is doing very well. Stay tuned for more updates on this hunk!
DJ has chronic proliferative pastern dermatitis that requires very frequent, very thorough leg washes. In order to ensure the topicals are going directly on his infected skin, the first thing we had to do was shave away his beautiful feathers! In time, they’ll grow back and with successful treatment, the skin underneath will finally be healthy and far less itchy! Stay tuned for progress updates on handsome DJ!
DJ’s care is fully sponsored by J. Sestini, M. Raynor, T. Callahan, J. Cox, and S. Warner in honor of her uncles Charles and James Stoner. Thank you!
Harlem
Harlem moved to Gentle Giants in 2018 after retiring from his job as a carriage horse in NYC. He is now one of our Resident Ambassadors and educates the public about Canker and its treatment. Harlem has visited numerous nursing homes, hung out at breweries, and is always a safe and gentle partner when we take volunteers out to ride.
Harlem’s care is fully sponsored by H. Hensley, M. Hanna, M Page, and S. Warner in loving memory of John Stoner. Thank you!
Galaxy
Galaxy is a Resident Ambassador that came to us in 2015 from a large impoundment of starving horses in Virginia. He was emaciated and suffering from severe hoof neglect. Today, he is strong and healthy and serves to educate the public on neglect and proper hoof care.
Galaxy’s care is fully sponsored by R. Brooks, D. Hertzog-Heacock, L. Glueck, and R. Proost In loving memory of Ben and Tony. Thank you!
Dobbin
Dobbin joined the rescue in 2010 and enjoys Resident Ambassador status. Dobbin spent his younger days greeting the public and teaching volunteers how to ride. Today, his schedule is more relaxed, between nap time, grooming with volunteers, daily breakfast and flirting with the mares in his field, Dobbin enjoys a life of luxury. While he has developed a neurological condition that causes him to not be able to feel his feet, he is comfortable and doing very well.
Dobbin’s care is fully sponsored by C. Wilkins. Thank you!
Natalia
Natalia, aka Natty, is a Haflinger who shows everyone that drafts can come in all sizes! She has been with us since February 2013 and in that time has had her left eye removed due to squamous cell carcinoma. She still receives ongoing chemotherapy in her remaining eye to preserve her vision.
Natty’s care is fully sponsored by C. Mitchell, S. Hodges, C. Lathrop, and in loving memory of N. Sauter. Thank you!