Diamond-in-the-rough project horse

[eightpondfarm]

Just beginning my journey with EPF Plinth (aka “Ajax”)…i HOPE he will go far enough to have a show name lol. If not, Ajax will just be it.

I’m so excited about this big guy…i had been ‘craving’ him. I’ve seen him every day, but only out there in a pasture that is 123 acres. He learned to come up to me and take carrots, and briefly when he isolated from the herd (one of the geldings took exception to all the other geldings…and Ajax chose to leave rather than fight) I was able to pet him and put a halter on him, but that was almost a year ago.

So now that I’ve had him 16 months, he has calmed down significantly…even though he’s just been on pasture with the other feral Mustangs i got from BLM. Finally got around to bringing him in for training. And of the three i’ve taken in to train, i feel he will be the easiest. He certainly has a calm, friendly attitude. I’ve never seen him lay his ears back, even in the herd, even when meeting the strangers (domestic horses) over the gate. I think he’ll measure at around 16h. To that end, maybe today i’ll do a little stick training

Here’s a video (no, two vids, had to clip it to get it to upload here) of my new guy. He had been in a 36x36 enclosure inside a barn until he was touchable. Took 4 days. i just moved him into this corral and captured his investigation of his new home. Please ignore my housekeeping…i am just beginning to dig out the corrals from winter.

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[Posting_Trot]

He’s gorgeous! Nice, floaty trot.

Good luck with him!

[Rhythm_Pace_Impulsion]

Wow he is quite impressive, enjoy the journey and keep us in the loop. He looks so smart and athletic.

[swmorse]

Wow he’s really good looking

[eightpondfarm]

Thanks i’ll have to get a close up. He has eyes like an Egyptian god-horse…
though lol, admittedly, i’m smitten.

[Rhythm_Pace_Impulsion]

I’m not big on being impressed by videos but this one has something special in him just waiting for you to unveil. If this was a sale video, I’d be scheduling a trip asap, there is something special with this one imo.

[luvmyhackney]

Definitely a diamond. He thinks very highly of himself, probably to smart for to be too silly.

Can’t wait to see him progress with you.

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

He’s a cutie. What is the goal with him? Trail horse or ???

Keep us posted about how it goes.

[eightpondfarm]

My goal I guess to enjoy trust with him. To each him that it is really fun to be ridden/to have a human partner. Deep desire is dressage. And trail too…we have a few hundred acres and i only ride around here…don’t trailer out to group rides or anything like that.

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

That sounds wonderful. I’d love it if my daughter adopted a mustang some day. She used to ride hunter/jumper (took a break for college), but she tells me if she goes back to horses, it will be liberty work on the ground or trail-riding, not h/j. She is interested in exploring the connection between animal and human, and less interested in the show scene.

[eightpondfarm]

your dau sounds like my kind of human

[DiamondJubilee]

What a handsome guy!! Enjoy and would love to see updates when possible

[hoopoe]

Love his natural body type. Shoulder to neck connection appears natural and balanced He could do anything and looks like a fun dressage project. I bet when he gets athletic conditioning he is going to be quite the hunk. I wonder, too, if he might be a good driving prospect.

[Jealoushe]

What an absolute cutie! I see him doing western dressage Congrats!

[joiedevie99]

Cool horse! Good luck with him

[beowulf]

What a nice horse. I can see why you’re excited to work with him. He has a certain gravitas that is even communicable through video.

[eightpondfarm]

I think his presence/sense of self has to do with having been a stallion so long. And being wild and free in the mountains…that always adds kinda-sorta confidence too. About his body, the thing that i see…He has all the cute curves of a pony but the height of a big horse. He’s an rather an enigma in this feature…some hard to pinpoint cross that worked out kinda nicely.
like a kingsize Connemara with draft horse legs.

[equinelibrium]

I see what you mean, there’s something really special about him. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s there. Have fun with him and keep us updated!

[Jackie_Cochran]

He moves like he is confident in his body.

I think you have a good one there!

[sparkygrace]

What a beautifully balanced horse! I’d take him anytime for my dressage mount. He is a lovely mover.