All about Edward
The Long Road to Cheyne Ranch: Edward’s Story
In January 2021, ten horses were removed from a property in Clinton, Mississippi due to neglect. The surviving horses were taken in by Mississippi Horse Rescue, where they began rehabilitation and rehoming. They became known as the Clinton 10.
One of those horses was a small sorrel stallion with a wide blaze. He arrived underweight, still intact, and with an irregular movement in his hind legs, attributed at the time to stringhalt related to nutritional deficiency. His age was originally estimated between six and ten years old. More recently, both a veterinarian and equine dentist have confirmed he is approximately 15 years old. He had little experience with consistent handling.
He was named Edward.
Recovery
Edward remained in the care of Mississippi Horse Rescue, under the direction of Patricia, where he spent the next year and a half rebuilding his health. Refeeding a starved horse requires a slow, careful approach, and his progress came through steady routines, veterinary support, and time.
He was gelded later than is typical, likely between seven and ten years old. As a result, his build reflects a more mature stallion frame, with denser bone and a compact, sturdy structure. He stands at 13.3 hands and is currently maintained barefoot.
By mid-2022, Edward had improved physically, though he was still cautious with handling. He was sensitive to new people, reluctant to be haltered, and inconsistent with hoof care.
In July 2022, trainer Lynda Koch began working with him in coordination with Mississippi Horse Rescue. She focused on foundational skills such as haltering, hoof handling, and routine interaction. Over time, he became more predictable and easier to handle.
DNA
In early 2023, Edward’s DNA results showed a mix of Missouri Fox Trotter, Tennessee Walking Horse, and Rocky Mountain Horse, all gaited breeds known for smooth movement and steady temperaments.
Edward does not consistently gait and remains smaller than typical for those breeds. He continues to carry a slight hitch in his hind legs, which has remained stable and does not appear to affect his general comfort. His breeding is more evident in his disposition. He is generally calm, willing, and tolerant of different handlers.
Heart of the Horse
In late 2022, Edward was selected for the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge, a program that pairs rescue horses with trainers to prepare them for competition and adoption.
He first worked with Mercedes Kelly Sampsell, who introduced him to riding work while continuing to build his groundwork foundation. Through the program, Edward gained experience with obstacle work, pattern riding, new environments, and the increased activity that comes with public events and competition settings.
In April 2023, Mercedes stepped away due to a knee injury, and Delaney Ware took over for the final 30 days leading up to the competition. Edward adjusted well to the transition and continued progressing steadily.
He competed in the Heart of the Horse finals in May 2023 in horsemanship, trail, and freestyle classes. For a horse who had once arrived with limited handling experience and significant rehabilitation needs, simply participating in the finals represented tremendous progress. Edward completed all three classes and handled the busy environment calmly and willingly.
Throughout the process, he consistently showed an ability to adapt to new handlers, expectations, and experiences — a trait that has continued to define him throughout his journey.
The Winding Road
After the finals, Edward was adopted by a young rider in Mississippi. Later, he returned to Mississippi Horse Rescue, where he continued receiving support and additional training through the Plan 4 Progress program. Throughout that time, he continued to be described as easy, willing, and kind to work with.
He was eventually adopted again by a family in Mississippi who were already familiar with Cheyne Ranch through another horse they had previously donated to the program. They believed Edward would be a good fit for the ranch and chose to send him here.
That decision ultimately became the next chapter in Edward’s long journey — one that brought him to Cheyne Ranch, where he continues to grow, settle in, and become part of the herd.
Edward at Cheyne Ranch
Edward arrived at Cheyne Ranch earlier this year and has continued to make incredible progress as he settles into ranch life.
At 13.3 hands, he is one of the smaller horses in the herd, but he carries himself with the sturdy build and calm presence that make him easy to notice once you meet him. Since arriving, he has gained weight beautifully, his coat has become shiny and healthy, and he has adjusted well to the routines and structure of the ranch.
One of Edward’s greatest strengths is his temperament. On the ground, he is thoughtful, patient, and extremely well mannered. He has integrated well into daily life at the ranch and continues building confidence with new experiences, people, and routines.
While he still needs continued riding education and conditioning under saddle, we have been very encouraged by his progress. After evaluating him more recently, our veterinarian felt he had improved enough physically that he should continue moving forward with riding work — something we are excited to continue developing with him over time.
Edward’s path has included extended rehabilitation, multiple trainers, a competitive training program, and several placements. Across each stage, he has remained remarkably consistent in temperament, willingness, and adaptability.
He is here because many people — especially Mississippi Horse Rescue, his trainers, and the families who cared for him along the way — invested time, patience, and belief in him. That consistency shows in the horse he is today.
We are very happy to say that Edward has become part of the Cheyne Ranch herd, and we are excited to continue watching him grow in the years ahead.