Tucker is believed to be a Percheron Thoroughbred cross. Tuck was a Premarin foal, who was born in Canada and at the estimated age of four months was taken from his mother and sent to the September auction in Manitoba, Canada. He was bought by a rescue called, Equine Protection of North America, (EPONA) and shipped to Epping, New Hampshire where he stayed until we adopted him. We originally went up to EPONA because I was doing my Senior Project for high school on Premarin and wanted some additional info, at least that's what my parents thought. My secret agenda was to come home with a foal. I had been 5 long years without a horse and had decided it was time to get another one.
I fell in love with Tucker the moment I laid eyes on him. Of course he was not Tucker then, he was Colt #14, a blue roan with jet black points. He was in a herd of 30 other foals that were all greatly malnourished. The poor foals had been through hell, they came from the auctions with ringworm, lice, respiratory infections, intestinal parasites, and every bone in their bodies showed. Tucker's backbone stuck up an inch. He was pathetic looking, but had a gentle eye, and I could picture him growing into a magnificent horse. I greatly tugged at my mother's heart strings and when we left the rescue that day I knew in my mind that I would soon be bringing home Colt #12.
Tucker is now just turned 4, we started breaking him last year and he did wonderfully. I have shown him in halter and the first time in the ring we took 5th out of 9 horses. The only issue that Tucker has is his size. He has certainly made up for his slow start in life. Tucker now stands almost 17.2 hands high (70 inches) which wouldn't be too big except he weighs 1700 pounds, which makes him about the size of Godzilla. The thing about drafts is that they grow until 6 years old and muscle out until 8 years old. We estimate he will finish at 18 hh and about 2000 pounds.
Tucker is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I honestly cannot imagine what life would be like without him. He is so sweet, gentle, and loving. Even though he is a brat, due to his immaturity, I love him and he knows not to push Mamma around 'cuz she means business. I look forward to all of the wonderful things we will accomplish as both of us grow and mature together.
