Thirty-year-old horse Teton had never had a companion before. But gentle giant Phantom changed all that.
If you’re wondering what is the tallest horse in the world, then please meet one of them.
His name is Phantom, and he’s 7 feet tall to his withers. Adding the head, he sits around 8 feet. The massive horse weighs around 2,000 lbs, and he is quite imposing to look at.
And, while someone would expect such a huge animal to be quite intimidating to have around, Phantom is nothing like that. In fact, his caretakers at the Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, where he resides, call him a “puppy.” They actually compare him to the Great Dane — affectionate, friendly, and playful.
“He has so much strength but with his laid-back personality he prefers to take things slow and easy which makes the ride even more enjoyable,” Courtney Garner, a horse trainer at the rescue farm, says. “He is the epitome of a gentle giant – silly, lovable, craving attention. He comes to the fence line to greet guests and volunteers and is a joy to be around.”
And, on top of everything, the 7-year-old colossal horse has a heart of gold. He always tries to assist more vulnerable horses, just like he did with a newcomer.
“One day we had a new horse come into the shelter. He was really sore. He couldn’t walk too far.”
The rescue horse, Teton, is in his early 30s. When he arrived at the farm, it was evident that he had experienced significant suffering in his life. He was neglected, and his hooves were filled with holes, deformed, and painful.
“Poor Teton couldn’t walk long distances. He was also timid, and he didn’t approach other horses. But Phantom knew that he could find a friend in him.
“Phantom, being the big, friendly dog that he is, would encourage Teton to get out, walk a little further.”
So, the two horses quickly formed a bond, and when the trainers and volunteers noticed this, they began taking them to the creek together.
Phantom has always had a fondness for water and enjoyed splashing around, so they were curious if Teton would follow his lead.
Indeed, although Teton was initially shy and hesitant to enter the water, when he finally did, he had a blast alongside his new best friend, Phantom.
In most cases, younger horses tend to imitate and follow the lead of older horses. However, in this unique case, older Teton was following young Phantom in his adventures, which proved to be beneficial for Teton’s healing process.
“While the Gentle Giants staff provided Teton with medical care, Phantom was providing him with emotional and mental support,” Garner explained.
Today, Teton has made a full recovery and has regained his strength and confidence. He has risen in the ranks to become one of the alpha horses in the herd, transforming from a shy horse into a robust, healthy, and contented one.
It is truly remarkable how Phantom played a role in helping his friend regain his footing.
Watch their heartwarming story in the video below.
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Rewritten Source: https://animalchannel.co/giant-horse-helps-neglected-horse/