He's a chunky gelding of unknown breeding. Natasha and I decided to call him Otis or Odie. He's about 6 years old, calm, sturdy and quiet. He doesn't have much training yet, but he's willing to learn.
Mom came out to see him on Sunday. I bought him for her to ride - she doesn't like heights or narrow horses, so he's perfect for her. At about 13 2 hh, he's not tall, but he's built like a big comfy couch.
He's got some wear marks and scabs in his fur that suggest that he might have worn a collar and harness as a driving horse, but other marks on his neck suggest that he might have just been leaning over a fence and rubbing, too.
He stood calmly by the mounting block and waited for Natasha to get on.
Natasha rode him around the ring in both directions. Walk and whoa are his favorites. That's perfect for Mom. With a little help from verbal commands and a tap of the whip, Natasha got him to do walk, trot (very bumpy) and canter in both directions. Whoa was easy - if you stop pushing him, he stops.
After Natasha got off, Mom got on.
She did walk and whoa in both directions, and then she and Natasha (on Dash, bareback) went out around the track. They did one full circuit around the half mile track.
Mom hasn't ridden in about 4-5 years, so this was a big step forward for her. I think Otis/Odie will be a perfect mount for Mom - he's the right height and width for her to feel comfortable - and he's not inclined to go fast.
Odie was a bit hot and sweaty after his workout this morning, so we hosed him off and Mom scraped the excess water out of his thick winter coat. He's well dressed for whatever winter throws at us this year - his winter coat is already several inches long.
He needs his feet done and until he gets his okay from the vet, he'll be in quarantine. Right now, he's turned out in the riding ring beside the cows. He knows what electric fence is all about, so he's safe there.
They're in with Roxy and Nikki now, along with S'Heir and Soul. S'Heir thought the chase me game was wonderful, as an Arabian, she's always up for a run around the field.
It's time to go put Delilah on the trailer to go to Saddle Ridge Stable for the next month for trailering. Serge is building shelters in the fields today, so if you want to give him a hand, come on out.
Reminder: Today is the last day to let me know about the Halloween Fun Day! I've heard from some of our boarders and regular visitors, but not all. Give us a call, send an email or leave a message when you're out - it should be fun for all ages.
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