Specifically IGP helps and provides Sanctuary to Percheron and other draft breed horses surviving from abuse, neglect, abandonment, slaughter, or just victims of the current economy. We then refurbish all of their medical, nutritional, as well as try to help the horse(s) over come emotional issues. If the horse is healthy enough to lead a normal life IGP then retrains them for new riding only careers then provides a thorough screening process to find the horse(s) safe, loving, forever homes through contract. Why a contract you ask? So that Iron Gait can Continue the right to have the voice for all of the horses in our programs, being able to protect them and their welfare.

Through the past couple of years we began concentrating mainly to help horses with significant medical and emotional issues who need a permanent stable enviroment to receive continued care through the remainder of their life. The number of horses that we can except into our Sanctuary Program soley depends on Donations and Monthly Sponsors. “I can not describe the sadness and how hard it is to deny a horse our Sanctuary, simply because the funds are not there.” quote Denise

When a horse(s) is accepted into our program and upon arrival, we obtain immediate veteranary, Farrier or Chiropractic care needed to help provide a comfortable life in each specific horse. The specialty care in which with out IGP, they would not otherwise receive leading to a doomed future.
In our Sanctuary program IGP provides each individual horse with specific medication/treatment care as well as specific diets consisting of individualised supplements for the remainder of each horses natural life. Due to age and temperament, some horses may simply be retired. We will find these horses a pasture home and allow them to live the remainder of their lives freely and without harm.
A few of the horses in our program came to us by ‘ responsible owner surrender ‘ in which the individual could not financially afford the proper care and rehabilitation for their horse to survive a normal life. Occasionally few have asked for not only for our help to save their loved ones life but also if IGP can provide the horse Sanctuary to live out their lives safely, content, loved and well cared for. A peice of mind knowing their loved one will never find their way to a slaughter horse auction or live their life in demise.

The needing horses truly are the ones who matter at the end of the day! Every day!

IGP accepts assistance of volunteers in the horse community, horse trainers, veterinarians, farriers, etc. This program takes place year round, predominantly in the state of Georgia.

Any horse/pony that comes to IGP and is not able to be placed into a new home due to his/her mental/physical health, injuries, etc., will have a home for life at IGP.  Otherwise, IGP devotes as much time as needed o find an appropriate guardian for each and every horse/pony it has that is ready for placement.  If the horse is healthy enough to lead a normal life IGP then retrains them for new riding only careers then provides a thorough screening process to find the horse(s) safe, loving, forever homes with a contract. Why a contract you ask? So that Iron Gait can Continue the right to have the voice for all of the horses in our programs, being able to protect them and their welfare.

If the examination of a horse warrants training for pleasure riding prospect, IGP will prepare the horse for placement by a kind and loving person using natural horsemanship techniques .  IGP will screen all potential adoptive families and the new living facilities for the rescues horses.  In addition to ensuring that new homes are safe and free of hazards, new families may be checked for their knowledge of horses, including riding, basic training, training philosophy that is compatible with ours, and basic health care knowledge.  It is only through these requirements that IGP can ensure that any horse or pony it rescues and places is being cared for properly.  This program takes place year round, predominantly in the state of Georgia, although IGP will consider placement throughout the United States.

IGP is committed to giving back to the community. We encourage Public visitation.  IGP has welcomed many organized groups and volunteers to our facility to learn about and help care for the members of our herd.

Other Community Outreach Programs that Iron Gait Percherons offers:

• Public Appearances of Our Ambassadors at local businesses to educate our community of the main reasons to rescue, how they properly report to authorities and more.
• We are registered with Cherokee County Georgia Courts to help provide a place where people can serve their community service hours.
• Provide various Education Seminars to the Public as well as Local Authorities
• We welcome other organizations who would like to educate their group on the need for Horse or Animal rescue itself.
• Field Trips for local Schools, Home Schooled Children, Senior Communities,…Etc.
• We provide answers (the best that we can) to questions visiting Students may have for their School Projects.
• We provide projects for those to gain their Boy Scout Badges & Girl Scout Badges.
• We hold regularly through the year open house events for the public offering food and music, horsemanship demonstrations and educational opportunities.  Visitors and volunteers learn about our organization and why it was founded, as well as the stories of how each of our horses “found” us.  We strive to provide knowledge about the horse industry and what a huge responsibility it is to own and care for a horse.
• Each year for all of their hard dedicated work of the volunteers, we like to treat them to a chance to enjoy the horses by inviting them to the National Fair in Perry Georgia. Here they not only get to ride the Sanctuary horses, they also help inform visitors about our rescue and each horse at the fair personal history. Our riders are not in it to “win” at the show, but, there to show what true teamwork and courteous sportsmanship is all about ; experience the excitement and enjoy the Sanctuary horses.
• When requested, IGP provides advice to individuals on the emotional and physical care of their horses.  This program takes place year round via email and phone calls, predominantly in the state of Georgia, although IGP may reach out to organizations or individuals from throughout the United States

That is what all of these events are all about, Educating the Public, Promoting our Rescue/Sanctuary & Promoting the new lives of IGP’s Sanctuary Horses.  We are strong advocates of Natural Horsemanship, a training technique that is based on equine communication and understanding.  In addition, IGP hopes to further educate the public on horse slaughter and reporting of incidents of Equine Abuse and Neglect to local authorities.  .