With miles of personality along with experience, Whip is ready to take you where you want to go on the trail; with or without riding partners; at a slower comfortable walk or a smooth four-beat gait, with every gear in between. Surefooted and confident on the trail by himself. Willing to leave his riding buddies to head home. I haven't found an obstacle he wouldn't cross, a trail he wasn't willing to take, or a new scary object he wasn't wasn't willing to learn about.
Whip is safe and fun to be around. He has superb ground manners. He's courageous and willing to look to an understanding human partner when things get a little scary. Whip is sensitive and has high-level training, so he responds to quiet seat and leg cues, as well as being very verbally rewarded and rewarding (he nickers and snuffles to say "hi"). Whip doesn't mind arena work and is pretty fun to gait through shoulders-in and can even execute a pretty descent half-pass when asked correctly. Whip can be ridden one handed (neck reins) or with two hands. His bit preference is a simple solid, medium port mouthpiece with a medium shank without tongue relief.
Although Whip has all the "buttons", he excels mentally on the trail and loves to be out with his human. He handles being alone in his barn, is the nice guy when stalled next to others and works it out when in a group. Whip loads and travels easily; each stop over is his happy home for the night, whether a stall or pen. A farrier's dream. Enjoys a leaf blower dust-off at grooming time and tolerates fly spraying and bathing. Whip is a great liberty student and will self-entertain in a pen with toys.
Whip is an own son of Southern Sunrise, a line known for it's calm, intelligent demeaner, sturdiness and usefulness in the hills, desert and show ring, along with great conformation and amazing beauty; all of which Whip has inherited.
Whip needs a rider who has some experience, not because he will misbehave, but that he will be looking for a partner who knows how to develop trust and who will work at developing quiet communication. Big moves, demanding hands and pushy expectations are not his bag. If you are looking for a long-term equine trail partner, Whip's your guy. If you are a trail rider new to gaited, Whip is especially your pony and a few lessons could be included.
If you're looking for a kid or husband horse, or a show horse, please don't waste your time--it might be minutes you cold be finding the right horse for you. Contact me with questions and to get video links. Text ahead for a phone call so I don't miss your call.