Skills / Disciplines

All Around, Double Registered, Endurance, Experienced, Finished, Gaited, Horsemanship, Husband Safe, Natural Horsemanship Training, Ridden Western, Trail, Trail Riding, Trained, Western Riding

Additional Comments

2015 Double-Registered Rocky Mountain & Kentucky Mountain Gelding
Pappy Van Winkle- Wink
14.2 Hands | Black with White Markings
Stillwater Farm and Arena | Cynthiana, Kentucky

WATCH WINK’S FULL SALE VIDEO: Watch Youtube Video"> Watch Youtube Video
Wink is a seasoned, naturally smooth trail gelding with miles of experience in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee. He is dependable riding alone or in a group of any size and will comfortably travel in the front, middle, or back.... (read more)
He has been on several overnight camping trips and will:
• Cross water, logs, mud, and ditches
• Navigate rocky and steep terrain
• Ride away from and back to the barn quietly
• Leave the group when asked
• Stand quietly during trail breaks
• Carry saddlebags
• Side-pass to an aid for easier mounting
• Handle passing vehicles and small farm equipment without reacting
• Load in virtually any trailer and back off easily
Wink is about as close to 50/50 “whoa and go” as a horse can be. He is happy to plug along on a loose rein, but he will willingly move out when called upon. He walks, naturally gaits, and canters. His gait is smooth, easy to find, and easy to maintain. If pushed faster than his gait, he may break out of it, but a simple check of the reins puts him right back where he belongs.
He direct reins better than he neck reins and moves very well from leg pressure. Whether ridden daily, weekly, or after a couple of weeks off, he has consistently been the same horse for us.
We consider Wink best suited for a confident beginner through an intermediate rider. We do not call him completely “dead quiet” because he will occasionally look at something unfamiliar. However, we have not had him truly spook, startle, or become upset. A cluck and a leg cue are generally all it takes for him to continue quietly.
Wink will willingly leave a group, but like many horses, he does not enjoy being left far behind. If the other horses ride away, he may pull against the bit to catch up. We redirect him into a few circles, and he settles and returns to the group quietly.
We have never witnessed him buck, rear, bolt, kick, bite, or pull back while tied.
On the ground, Wink stands quietly to saddle, bridle, bathe, tie, mount, and dismount. He stands well for the farrier and loads in stock trailers, straight or slant loads, side or rear loads, ramps, and step-ups.
Wink can occasionally be harder to catch when turned out with a large group of horses. He is easier to catch when alone or with only a few pasture mates, especially with a little feed. He gets along well with other horses and falls near the middle of the herd. He can be more assertive when grain is fed in a group setting but does well when sharing free-choice hay.
He is an easy keeper who currently lives on pasture 24/7 with a small amount of ration balancer. He is keg shod and current on his Coggins, vaccinations, dental care, deworming, and farrier care.
FULL DISCLOSURE:
Wink has visible scarring on both hind pasterns.
The scar on the inside of his left hind pastern resulted from a fence-wire accident before he came to us. He was treated by a veterinarian at Park Equine Hospital and cleared to return to work after healing. We were unable to obtain the original veterinary records.
The scar on the outside of his right hind pastern resulted from an injury that occurred in the pasture while he was in our care. We do not know exactly how it happened, but it was treated and healed without any soundness problems.
Both scars are shown clearly in his sale video. We have not observed either injury affecting his soundness, comfort, gait, or movement.
Wink’s owner purchased him as a weanling and kept him as her personal pleasure and trail horse throughout his life. We helped with his early training several years ago so she could return to riding. Following her passing, Wink was entrusted to us to find the right new home.
Our reputation and the long-term success of the horses we place matter far more to us than making a quick sale. One of the best compliments we have ever received from a buyer was a message thanking us because their horse was “exactly as advertised.” That is what we strive for with every horse we represent.
Wink is a quality, seasoned gelding and will be priced accordingly. He is not being offered as a budget horse.
Serious buyers are welcome to visit Stillwater Farm and Arena, meet Wink, ride him, and arrange a pre-purchase examination with the veterinarian of their choice.
FULL VIDEO: Watch Youtube Video"> Watch Youtube Video

Cynthiana, Kentucky
We’re happy to assist with transportation arrangements.
Two onsite Airbnb suites and living-quarters trailer hookups are available for buyers traveling to meet him. If the visiting buyer purchases Wink, the onsite lodging or hookup cost will be credited toward his purchase price.
Serious inquiries are welcome by private message or phone. See less

Shipping Notes

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Stillwater Farm & Arena, LLC

We're a family owned farm who specializes in training top-quality, well-mannered, gaited trail horses. We also teach beginner riding lessons, focusing on no certain equine discipline, but rather building balance, confidence and knowledge of horses in our riders. We're very excited to add an AirBnB facility to our property in 2023 for our out of town clients and guests! Our clients have access to our 172' x 80' indoor arena with sand footing, wash bay, round pen, patience pole, and 6 paddocks that all have automatic waterers.

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