BACKGROUND

Cantour is one of four horses removed from an abusive owner in April of 2010.  He is well-known in jumping and breeding circuits, but has had a checkered history both because of his owner’s personality as well as his own. 

Cantour has been previously used as a breeding stallion, and has a fairly impressive show history. 

German-born Cantour is the last-born son of Cantus, a highly respected Holsteiner who stood stud at the famous Maas J. Hell stable until his death in 1994. 

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

Cantour bears the marks of past injuries - both physical and behavioral.  When he first arrived at the shelter, his coat was dirty and matted.  His teeth were dirty and stained and badly in need of a float.  He had not received dental care in so long that his mouth was full of ulcers, causing pain when eating.  His hooves were worn and untrimmed.  His body lacked muscle tone, and he was underweight.

Cantour had been allowed to roam freely among three other stallions and seven intact male giant breed guard dogs, and he was not one to back down from a fight.  His body is covered with scars and scrapes some healing, some poorly treated.  It’s a sad state of affairs for a horse that once had a brilliant career ahead of him.

But the worst scars are those that leave no outward physical mark. 

Cantour has had a history of being “difficult.”  A lot of his behavior is typical of stallions, but there is also strong evidence that he has been physically abused.  Despite the fact that Cantour is a superb athlete, his owner put him in situations he was not prepared for - jumping fences that were too high, riding him when he was already lame or uncomfortable, coercing him into unnatural behaviors. 

The result is that Cantour tends to act out when he is confused.  He rears and can be difficult to handle.    Because he was sexually abused, in the early stages of rehab, he sometimes reacted inappropriately around men, but it has now been several months since we have seen that behavior.  

LOOKING AHEAD

We are excited about the future for Cantour.  He is a wonderful athlete and at 17 still has many years ahead of him.  He could potentially return to the show ring as a hunter/jumper or dressage mount.  He might also make a terrific schoolmaster for advanced riders.  He is attentive, alert, and willing, and in the right hands will make a wonderful companion. 

Cantour is available for adoption at a fee appropriate to his breeding and capability.  If you are interested, please let us know. 

Click here to read more of Cantour’s story, but beware - content may be offensive to some.