I've got a horse!

[Praus]

Usually I’m just a lurker, but I’m busting at the seams about my new gelding.

At Christmas, I went to see the lovely couple who gave me my first horse. A cute sorrel gelding caught my eye. He’s not a finished horse, by any means, and his gait isn’t perfect, but I liked him. Now that I’m done with vet tech school and I have a reliable job, I felt like it was time to open my heart to a new horse. (My first horse passed away 2 years ago.)

Meet “Buddy.” He’s a 7 year old MFT gelding. I’ve had him out on some trails; he’s ridden along a highway with logging trucks and dump trucks roaring past; we’ve ridden out behind, in front, and alone. He did a great job of showing how good he can be and a glimpse into how naughty he can be. I have hopes of making him a CTR horse someday.
Here’s a link to an album with a few pictures of him. http://imgur.com/a/kT6Jr

[Cindyg]

Awww good for you! He’s lovely, and looks so kind! I hope ya’ll have a great life together.

[pepper1986]

Wonderful news! He’s a beautiful guy! Happy trails to you and good luck in everything you do.

[RPM]

What a handsome boy! Congratulations to you and to Buddy!

And welcome to COTH-as-a-poster!

[Zu_Zu]

Congratulations ! ‘Buddy’ is very handsome !

[B]
Congratulations !!

‘Buddy’ is very handsome !!!

He has beautiful eyes !

[/B][B]Welcome to the world of Coth posting !

Thanks for sharing your good news ![/B]

[Chall]

Perfect name! And gosh yes, he looks kind!
Beautiful expression in his eyes, except for the cross-ties, where he looks like he is wondering what the heck your doing, lol.
Looks like you’ll have a wonderful time together.

[Flash44]

He is beautiful!!! Happy trails!!!

[GotMyPony]

He’s a cutie, love the ears. Congrats and good luck with both the trail-riding and the vet tech career. This will be an exciting time in your life.

[Countrywood]

Congrats, he will indeed make a lifelong friend, looks very smart and like he has a lot of character! Nice color too copper chestnut

[Praus]

Thanks y’all for the very kind words.:tickled_pink:

I’m hoping to be a bit bolder and post more often now that I have a horse of my own.

Originally I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep his name as “Buddy,” but after getting to know him, I really don’t have a choice - it suits him well.

[Stushica]

Whooo Hooo!!! Congratulations That tail is just stunning! I can see why you liked him :yes:

I wish you both many happy trails, I’m sure that with more fitness his gaits will shape up nicely!

[SuzieQNutter]

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

[Praus]

[QUOTE=Stushica;8338946]
Whooo Hooo!!! Congratulations That tail is just stunning! I can see why you liked him :yes:

I wish you both many happy trails, I’m sure that with more fitness his gaits will shape up nicely![/QUOTE]

Thanks! He has the fullest tail I’ve ever seen. My first horse (a MFT gelding, too) had a long, full tail, but Buddy’s tail is something else.

He has issues backing out of trailers because of that tail. If he steps on it, he freezes. If you pick up the tail or move it out of the way, he unloads backwards with no problems.

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=Praus;8337853]
Usually I’m just a lurker, but I’m busting at the seams about my new gelding.

At Christmas, I went to see the lovely couple who gave me my first horse. A cute sorrel gelding caught my eye. He’s not a finished horse, by any means, and his gait isn’t perfect, but I liked him. Now that I’m done with vet tech school and I have a reliable job, I felt like it was time to open my heart to a new horse. (My first horse passed away 2 years ago.)

Meet “Buddy.” He’s a 7 year old MFT gelding. I’ve had him out on some trails; he’s ridden along a highway with logging trucks and dump trucks roaring past; we’ve ridden out behind, in front, and alone. He did a great job of showing how good he can be and a glimpse into how naughty he can be. I have hopes of making him a CTR horse someday.
Here’s a link to an album with a few pictures of him. http://imgur.com/a/kT6Jr[/QUOTE]

Congratulations, he’s a GORGEOUS boy!

One thing that jumped out at me–be very conscientious about your saddle fit, because he’s short-backed compared to many gaited guys. My own Walker is the same, and I found the saddle he likes best is an old Stubben made for XC!
Western, Buena Vista, etc. are all too long for his little elf-self.

Best of luck, enjoy him!

[Praus]

[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8339243]
Congratulations, he’s a GORGEOUS boy!

One thing that jumped out at me–be very conscientious about your saddle fit, because he’s short-backed compared to many gaited guys. My own Walker is the same, and I found the saddle he likes best is an old Stubben made for XC!
Western, Buena Vista, etc. are all too long for his little elf-self.

Best of luck, enjoy him![/QUOTE]

Thank you for the saddle fitting advice! My first horse was smaller than Buddy and short-backed for a gaited horse, too. I held onto my old endurance saddle from my first horse and I test rode Buddy with it. It seemed to fit him very well with no soreness at the end of the day, but I’ll be watching him very closely for soreness over time. I’d love to try an English saddle like the Stubbens on him and see how it goes.

[AmarachAcres]

My first horse was an MFT, he is now going to be my 6 yo’s trail horse as her pony is getting too old to keep up. King is going strong at 21.

May your journey with Buddy have as many long and happy years.

[candyappy]

He looks so intelligent! As an owner of 2 Appaloosas, I gotta envy that tail!!

[SuzieQNutter]

I know of a stallion who was put down after stepping on his own tail. I only heard about it. I didn’t know it or anything. I really don’t know if it is true. But I would cut it if he can’t back down the ramp without stepping on it.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=Praus;8339064]
Thanks! He has the fullest tail I’ve ever seen. My first horse (a MFT gelding, too) had a long, full tail, but Buddy’s tail is something else.

He has issues backing out of trailers because of that tail. If he steps on it, he freezes. If you pick up the tail or move it out of the way, he unloads backwards with no problems.[/QUOTE]

You can just tie it up in a knot before he loads.

[Praus]

[QUOTE=SuzieQNutter;8341075]
I know of a stallion who was put down after stepping on his own tail. I only heard about it. I didn’t know it or anything. I really don’t know if it is true. But I would cut it if he can’t back down the ramp without stepping on it.[/QUOTE]

My plan is to keep it trimmed back. I think it will look better that way.