Willard’s Banner, loving called Banner in the barn is retiring from being a coaching horse. We have had Banner for at least a decade and he has been a wonderful addition to our four in hand driving team, specifically his confidence as a leader for our team. Whether it be through the woods, down the road, or schooling in the ring Banner is bold and willing to do whatever is asked of him. He has previously shown at Devon and Toronto, and been a part of many coaching drives on the northeast coast.

The past year or so he has been getting ridden more and whether he goes out everyday or once every couple months, he is the same horse every time. Absolutely no buck, bolt, or rear. Take him out in a group or by himself he is game for anything! He has wonderful ground manners, loads in a trailer, stands for farrier, baths, and to be clipped.

Now for the reason we have chosen to retire him. He has navicular in both front feet which prohibits him from driving on the road when we do our coaching drives (2+ hours of pavement for 2-3 days at a time is too much for him). He also has the shivers condition in his hind end which appears to make it more difficult to drive him with a heavy carriage (he does fine as a single with not too large of a carriage or too many passengers). He also has broken withers which do not bother him but something to note.

Since switching to light driving and riding, strictly only walking and trotting we have not had any lameness issues with him. He was never cantered in work as a coaching horse and we don’t feel it’s fair to him to ask him to canter (in the carriage or under saddle) now.

An absolute perfect, forever home is a must! His welfare is our primary concern. For more videos or pictures of Banner please message Kate at 563.726.1348