[prairienights]

...and I'm going to have to say "eh....pass"

I mean she was pretty and cute and all, but not what I'm looking for. She was sooo percheron-y. Biiiig shoulder and little butt. One of her back feet made me a bit nervous, it was just more upright than the other. Nothing I'd call a club foot, but the bone column was just set up differently.

She was a sweet girl, not spooky but a little bit unsure. She wasn't wild about me walking to her side, she wanted to face me, but after watching her owners handle her, I think they may have trained her that way. I messed with her in the roundpen and no issues showed up that I couldn't work through if she were mine (just stopping by the gate and stuff). Her trot was pretty groundcovering and floaty, but looked like she had a lot of knee action, definitely not the hunter ideal, lol. She stood ground tied for being saddled, brushed, hooves cleaned. A little kid was running around banging stuff and spraying a hose all over and she wasn't bothered.

The guy got on her with a massive western saddle, and immediately took to cantering in a circle. She did it, and there was no protest or acting like she was PO-ed, she just kinda seemed like she was obeying so she didn't get jerked or spurred or something. But she was gentle and obedient. So I got on her and I could barely get my tippy toes in the saddle and they were the highest they'd go (no critiquing my form, haha, I did the best I could!). She was really pretty fun to ride, all big and powerful and such. Not the smoothest of trots, but not horrible, I sat it fairly easily. From what I rode, I could tell she wasn't going to put up a fight undersaddle, she was very willing, but I still don't know if that's because she didn't want to be jerked somewhere or if she wanted to do the right thing. I really think she would be an awesome horse if somebody just got to know her and let her relax and share her opinions once in awhile. She wanted to please, but in kind of a kicked puppy way. If that makes sense...Anyways, I got off and scratched on her for awhile and she was fine. Fun horse, and I'll keep her in mind, but I don't know if she was *it*

<sigh> back to the search.

But really, let me know what you think, maybe you'll see something in her that I overlooked. For those of you who don't know what I'm looking for, I want a VERY low level hunter. Something I can feel comfortable just taking lessons and not showing. Any jumping I do is going to be just popping over a few low fences, I'm not into seeing how high I can jump.

Pics (I don't even want to hear it about my position I know, I know it affects the horse's performance, but I was just testing the acceleration, brakes, and steering system on her, lol...and I could hardly even reach the stirrups:

Confo...I have a few others if this one doesn't cut it

For some reason this just screams "draft!" to me, lol


Standing funny, yes, but look how wide her chest is compared to her hind end


Not the best picture, but she did have an adorable face


Yep yep


I saw a few things I'd change about her feet over a few trims, but I was decently impressed by them. Thick wall, no cracks, no terrible flares or anything, but wide frog that touches the ground


Guy makin her go


Another foot shot (can you tell I'm obsessed with feet?) Not that you can really see anything from this shot


Just...don't ask what I'm doing, because I can't tell you


Oh Megan...who even lets you on horses sometimes?


Probably whining about my ridiculously long stirrups


Say with me now, kids "Chair seat, chair seat!"


Just because I thought her neck looked cool in this picture




Videos. If you want to see more of her in the round pen, I have a few more videos. Her trot was pretty floaty, but it was also animated. And man, trotting forward and backward she wings out like it's her job

YouTube - DraftX Mare

YouTube - DraftX Mare2

YouTube - DraftX Mare3

YouTube - DraftX Mare4

YouTube - DraftX Mare5

Sooooo in conclusion: I thought she was a pretty cool horse. I felt like I was riding a horse out of a Lord of the Rings movie or something. Do I think she'll suit my purposes? Eh...I'll see what else is out there.

Please, please, pleeeeaaaaase let me know what you think!

[ShowJumper23]

Yeah, I think she is cute, but I would put her on the waiting list, and see what else is out there that for sure will suit your needs.

Like shorter stirrups

[prairienights]

Haha, yea, I was drowning in that saddle.

Bumpity?

[GypsyHorseLover]

I agree with ShowJumper23, she might be best on the waiting list but she is a cute mover . Just maybe you'd find a horse that suits you more.

GHL.

[5x_SpeedLover]

I like her. It stinks she wings out, but she is gorgeous! To bad it isnt just about looks. haha

[westerngrl]

Shes cute, deff. keep her in mind but keep looking if you feel you can get a better suited one.

[dixygirl]

how tall is she please?

[prairienights]

Originally Posted by dixygirl

how tall is she please?

16.1, they just measured her the day before I got there on concrete and barefoot.

[BarrelBaby18]

personally (i feel retared.ed typing this) i think you shouldnt keep her on the waiting list and move her to ur number one. I think the people who had her might ahve been doing somethign to her to make her a little unsure...idk, maybe not, but if you want to do lower level stuff, I think she would do nice, I tried to picture her popping up over jumps and I think she would do okay in it!! Just MHO!!

[Buckshot]

She's big, but she is draft-looking. I'd keep her in mind, because she didn't seem to be horrible, just not exactly what you were looking for. However, she may be your best option, and she could make a nice mount.

Other than your chair seat and long stirrups, you're a pretty decent rider!