He's beautiful! Are those dapples I see? What style do you ride him (or plan to)? Is he super choppy or smooth? I found myself surprised with how smooth Moon was with her big cloppety hooves.
I did ground driving with Moon for a while, but found it boring. I never really planned to drive her, though it is good for them to learn. I did all sorts of ground work and games. I was so fearless! After selling her, my horsie confidence has went down a lot. I would love to get back into riding. The YMCA here in SC has an equestrian center, so I'm thinking of taking some English classes as I've always rode western.
Thanks, we think he's a beauty, too!
These pictures were taken last April right about the time he was losing his winter fuzzies - when he's in his summer coat, I don't think I've ever seen dapples - our breeding stock paint/QH gelding, Indiana Jones, has beautiful dapples. He's a black bay!
Xe is surprisingly smooth when he wants to be. The 2nd time I rode him he didn't really want me to be up there and he "chopped" me right off (and while coming off, I connected with those dinner plate hooves and broke my tailbone!) :scared: This is one of the reasons I'm not comfortable riding him unless someone has his head - he gets spooked and all his confidence goes right out the window! I participated in a clinic last summer with a Parelli professional who rode him for me and then had me ride him while she led him and it was like riding a big comfy sofa! We may get there in time, but I'm in no hurry! Oh, and we ride western!
Xe and I both like the ground driving. We try to make a purpose with it - doing patterns, (figure 8, spirals, circles, etc) and he just looks like he's "all that" when he's being driven... There's gotta be something in his genetics - he IS a plow horse after all!
I think any horse classes would be great if you have the time and $$! I love being around horses and smelling them, and touching them - riding them is the cherry on top!! If you decide to tak the lessons - have FUN!!
