Does anyone have experience with buying a trail horse from Heavens Gait Farm in VA?
A neighbor bought a “totally broke” TWH from them about 2 years ago. Turned out not to be the case - he’s still pretty spooky and gets excited with other horses on the trail; not the relaxed ride she was looking for. And he has since been diagnosed with EPM although that may not be something that was know-able back when she bought him. At any rate when he goes out on the trail a trainer is usually riding him and she’s riding her husband’s horse.
HGF does claim to have a satisfaction guarantee but, as I understand it, what they really are offering is to replace the horse with another one that might suit you better. For whatever reason my neighbor kept the one she got but her trail-riding has been severely curtailed compared to what she used to do on her old (now deceased) well broke horse.
To be fair this may be the only time a customer of theirs wasn’t absolutely thrilled with their experience - if you’re looking at a horse from them I’d just suggest you try it several times and under different circumstances, if possible.
You don’t say where you are, but you might look at Cloud9Walkers.com (in Texas). I know they ride theirs all over parks and forests in Texas and also bring them for camping trips to Tennessee often. I’ve only heard good things about them myself but maybe some Texans will chime in.
