I am IN LOVE with this horse, OMFG.
He’s 20, his name is Xander, and I’ve been working around him for about a year, but he’s been retired for 10 years. He went lame and his owners couldn’t afford the test to see what the problem was… until a couple months ago. The vet said it was something that could be resolved in a month or two. He’s been slowly introduced to work, mostly lunging, and a few rides with a small rider. Now he’s well enough and fit enough to carry an adult rider.
He’s 17 hands, the tallest I’ve ever ridden, and he is SUCH a good horse. I knew that before I rode him, of course; he is just SO adorable. He’s curious, affectionate, INCREDIBLY well behaved, and according to his owner he used to love his work. Riding him, though? That was… awesome.
He’s clearly excited to work again. I was a little scared on the first ride, because of how excited he was, but it was nice to ride a horse that was happy and sensitive. I managed to calm down a bit yesterday on my second ride, and I tried some shoulder-in, which I’ve tried on other horses but never really had any success.. and he DID it! My instructor was very excited to see that. She wants me to keep riding him, and I am so excited. He’s gonna teach me so much.