14.3h 12yr old APHA cremello gelding.
Pro’s: Great on trails, good in the arena. He’s had some roping training (not his favorite), started on the barrel pattern and has done Gymkhana (at home and 1 show). The basics: fantastic disposition, light in his face, can neck rein or plow rein, works off your leg (yields hind and fore), stops, backs, spins (not fast but it’s a spin), nice clean circles, walk, trot, lope, swing a rope off him, fine around sheep, dogs, other animals, has been on cows once and did well, hops right into the trailer, clips, bathes, blankets, great for farrier and vet. My farrier walks into the stall or pasture and trims him without even bothering with a halter. Been shod once for a cycle when being ridden on really tough ground. UTD vaccines, worming, teeth, feet.

He’s is not a dead-head. He’s good on trails, more confident with other horses, he walks out well, and is fine either way. I would suggest front shoes on rocky ground. He’s been on trails in the Gabilan Mountains, around the rice fields of Pleasant Grove, the sand dunes of Fort Ord, and in the foothills. He stands quietly to be saddled and bitted up. I’ve put a lot of friends on him and he’s always been good to them. I’ve given lessons to an advanced beginner teenage girl and he’s always been a good boy.

Cons: 99.5% of the time he does everything you ask, .05% he acts like the world will eat him. He is honest, honest, honest and if he’s acting out it’s because he’s uncomfortable. He had chiropractic done a few months ago and has been doing great. I treated ulcers (2 years ago) and have omeprazole powder for maintenance. I’ve been giving him GutX and he’s doing great. He is never unmanageable or dangerous, he just gets “looky” and nervous. This may be too much for a timid horse person. So I recommend an intermediate rider for the best partnership.

You can talk him through just about everything and he’s level headed, just needs reassurance. He will paw when tied if he is terribly nervous and he dislikes fly spray and gets tense and will flinch you when you spray him. I think it’s the smell because he does fine with detangler spray, and loves baths.

Life and pregnancy forces sale. I love this horse and will be EXTREMELY selective about who/where he goes.