This beautiful boy has been in training with us for 2.5 years. He was purchased as a 4 year old with minimal ground training and a couple saddlings under his belt. He was not started too young and was brought along slowly in our program. We have used primarily positive reinforcement training with some natural horsemanship methods. He comes up to you to be caught in the pasture, stands nicely for grooming and saddling, will pick his rider up from the mounting block, can open and close gates, and side pass. He has great lateral flexion and softness. Peyote has been exposed to all kinds of trail situations (loose dogs, bikes, nearby gun fire, backpackers). He is not spooky, has been ridden extensively in the cascade mountains, been on many camp outs, two endurance rides, and one out of state camping trip to California. Peyote successfully completed two LD rides last year and was in the top 10 for both rides. Peyote loads easily in the trailer and knows how to be on a ground tether for camping. He can be ridden in large groups without issue (in any position) or go out alone on the trail. He has always been ridden in a bitless bridle while with us, i believe the previous owners had put a bit in his mouth a few times before we purchased him.
Peyote is a fun and forward horse. He has a lovely forward walk, can do a slow four beat flat walk, has performed a lovely fast rack at times going on a slight down hill, and has the most beautiful floating canter. This horse has great self carriage during a canter and can be cantering at such a slow speed other horses are doing a slow to moderate trot. He will need continued training to maintain a middle gaiting speed, he tends to get square at 5-7 mph, or break to a trot if he is very tired. His square gait is still smooth if he is collected up. Due to his age and energy level I would recommend him to a confident intermediate rider or an advanced rider. He can tend towards anxious (as most horses can) and looks to his rider for confidence. That said, he can also be very calm with the right rider and often leads older more experienced horses on the trail. He would make an outstanding endurance or competitive trail horse. He might also excel in gaited dressage. He has already proven to be a great trail horse.
Peyote has been kept in a herd setting and tends to be the middle to low man on the totem pole depending on the herd dynamics. I do not think he would do well in a stall or small paddock. He has been kept barefoot since being purchased and does well barefoot (or with boots). He has had regular vet care, teeth were floated spring 2022 and were not in need of floating this spring. This boy is ready to find his special person, a great home is a must.