A good horse

No, not ... "is never a bad color." Although that is true too. Although I, myself, have a stunningly colored horse (blonds always have more fun) there are good horses that come in plain packages. But that is not what this post is about.

It is about a very flash pinto gelding that Sensei had. He was a nice horse. Perfect mind, willing attitude, and an all around good guy. His 6 year old grand daughter took this paint out on the trails and was running circles around everyone. Brave as anything, both horse and child, they ran past havesters in the field. I am not talking about people but big, noisy, farm machinery. Ol' Paint never blinked an eye at them. Nor did he balk about leaving the company of the other horses.

No horse is perfect and Ol' Paint wasn't either. He did a kind of wobble thing when first mounted. Particularly by adults, like my trainer. Never seemed in pain, never balked at being mounted, but still it was puzzling. After countless appointments with chiropractors and vet specialist nothing particular was found wrong. Nobody could pin point the problem. Ol' Paint was basically used lightly as a trail horse anyway and did that job very well.

Sensei, who buys and sell horses, found an ad for someone looking for a nice all around mount for a pre teen girl. He thought that Ol' Paint might just be the ticket for them. He called them up and arrangements were made for a showing. They fell in love with him, like everyone does. Ol' Paint was as steady as he always was. And they bought him with a one week grace period. If they didn't still want him after a week they could bring him back. After a vet check, their vet could not pin point the exact problem but did find some evidence of a former injury.

Good to his word, Sensei said he could pick up the horse if they didn't want him now. "Oh No," the woman exclaimed, "this horse is wonderful. Anyone can ride him. He is a barn favorite. We wouldn't part with him for anything."

My last post was on attitude. This is yet another horse that exemplifies the importance of having a good attitude. Even though he was slightly off, and nobody can say for sure how long he will stay sound, he has a home because he has such a good mind.

I think that it is often an under valued trait when picking out horses today, yet I believe it was much more valued in times gone by. I know my trainer has bought more than one horse with that one consideration that the horse was willing partner. I read stories of people's problems with their horses and some of the time it just seems they have an unwilling partner. When I think back to Rebels Hope, she was a stinker! But she was a willing partner and although not the best trained horse and I didn't always do the best when working with her, she was a willing horse. She would take little kids for rides and never take a step wrong. I could put anyone on her and not worry. Corrie is much the same way. They have good attitudes and good minds. They are good horses.