Moose is a 7-year-old bay roan Hancock-bred Quarter Horse gelding with the size, substance, and movement of a large warmblood. He tapes at 16.3 hands but presents closer to 17.1+, wears an 82/84 blanket, and has big bone, large feet, and a kind, personable disposition. Moose is polite, friendly, and often the first to greet you in the pasture. He is quiet for the vet, farrier, deworming, and vaccinations, and he has experience both shod and barefoot.

We purchased Moose from a ranch in Idaho, where he had spent his entire life before coming to us. He is a sure-footed, handy ranch horse with a solid foundation and many useful buttons, including a nice turnaround, leg yields, side pass, strong stop, backup, and backing arcs. In his 7 years, Moose has done extensive ranch and mountain work. He has packed out elk, roped and dragged cattle in the feedlot and branding pen, gathered cattle in open country, and spent many nights tied to a highline. He rides out alone or with other horses, leads or follows, ponies other horses, opens gates from horseback, and will side pass to the fence to help a rider mount. He is confident going through, under, and over obstacles, has no buck, and is rarely bothered by much on the trail.

Moose has only been ridden in a plain two-piece snaffle using direct rein aids, rhythmic leg pressure, and seat cues. He does not currently neck rein or respond to voice commands. He is made to work, will go all day, and is best suited to a rider who appreciates a forward, ground-covering horse with a big, expressive way of moving.

Moose would be an excellent partner for an experienced, confident rider with good balance, light hands, an independent seat, and effective rhythmic leg aids. His gaits are very smooth, especially his canter, but he has a massive, lofty stride—particularly at the trot—that feels more like a large warmblood than the average Quarter Horse. Because he is bred to cover country, he is not the best fit for someone looking primarily for concentrated arena work or for a rider unaccustomed to big movement. While he is solid and calm, he is also sensitive and does best with a balanced rider who can stay with his stride. If a rider becomes unbalanced, he may get worried and choose to stop rather than continue forward.

For the right person, Moose will be an outstanding trail, ranch, camping, competitive trail, or mounted patrol partner. His personality is easy to love, and our hope is that he finds a forever home with someone who will use and enjoy him for what he was bred to do: cover the countryside.

Moose is sound and up to date on vaccinations and Coggins, and he recently had his teeth floated. We are willing to share his records and x-rays from his previous pre-purchase exam. Moose is being offered for sale because his owner is moving in a different direction with horses, and we want him to have a job and lifestyle that fully suit his strengths and keep him happy long term.