Additional Comments
Trail horse that needs a job! Only selling because he is his best when he has 2-3 days of consistent work a week and I don't have the time with 2 coming 3 year olds to break and a standard 50 hour work week. With all the ambition and the stocky build/booty for days I have had several people comment he would make a good rope/barrel horse, but that's not my gig so that's for you to decide if it's yours. All I can say is if we turn him loose to run you can feel the power when he launches.... (read more)
Basics- currently shod on an 8 week schedule, UTD on vaccines, wormed regularly, currently stands in a mixed herd somewhere in the middle of the pecking order that is pasture kept. AQHA papers will transfer to buyer.
Arena/basic training summary: He has all 3 gaits, backs up well, and is working on a side pass (I'd grade it a B: you can get it, but it's not fancy) His neck rein is about the same: he definitely has it, but for a sharp duck around a tree you may need to throw in some direct rein. Moves off your leg nicely. Stops well. Most of our limited round pen time this summer was spent balancing circles and collecting the trot. Again, he does a good job for the limited time I spend in a pen, but it isn't push button collection. He will lunge on a line or free in a round pen. Flexes to both sides. Rides in a snaffle.
As for trail he has done just about everything: creeks, bridges, logs, dogs, atvs, traffic, mud don't phase him. Goes up and down steep hills and deer paths fine. I have also taken him on some obstacle course objects such as the tractor tire tower and various step ups and he did fine with that. We just came back from a week at the Wild Dog fall ride in KY, which if you are familiar are some pretty rough trails with some nasty steep mountain paths (find them on facebook for sample videos). The more technical the trail the better I think he performs. Picked a duster up off the fence and rode around in it before we left and never batted an eye. Has carried saddle bags front and back. He will stand tied to the trailer for hours, and when we haul overnight we use the Portable Corral PVC panels, which he does fine with. I don't trail ride alone so I have no clue how he would do solo. Groups 2-15 he does all the time, groups 20+ we have done but not as much. Has the power to go ALL Day Long.
Behavior: good for farrier (shod all 4) and vet. loads on a trailer fine (we have only ever owned step-up trailers, so I don't know how he'd feel about a ramp). Fly spray and bathes fine. I would class him as an intermediate and up ride, mainly because of the need for the schedule mentioned in the beginning. He is calmer and just more fun if he works consistently. Let him sit for 3 weeks and drop him in a herd of 25 other horses for a group ride and he will be snorty and prancy the first hour and a beginner isn't going to have fun. That said he's never bucked with me or refused to go somewhere. But if the group you're riding with has inconsiderate dummies that want to take off running with no notice, he will try to go right along with them. He does one rein stop, and usually one or two of those is enough to remind him that is not behavior we tolerate. Doesn't kick but may try to trot a little to get distance from someone who wants to tailgate.
Don't know what I could have possibly forgotten but ask away. I have nothing to hide because at the end of the day I don't mind too much letting him be a pasture ornament for a year and seeing if I have more time once the 2 young ones are broke. Just figured I'd give him the chance to get a serious job because I think it would make him happier.
*The only place I have to ride on property is an uncovered grass/dirt round pen, so showings will be weather permitting. Can text additional pictures upon request.
