Introducing!

 
Today we happily introduce Praying Knees Preacher, aka "Preacher". While Preacher was already named that when he came, he is suspected to be just a grade ranch horse (appears to be a rather well built Appendix!), we decided that "praying knees" should precede "preacher" due to the fact that the calcium deposits in his knees made owner Katie Magowan think, "it's from all the praying".

Preacher is a 20 year old, 16 hand bay gelding from northern Arizona. His previous owner trail rode with him and we were told his owner before that was a young girl who used him for 4D and parades. While browsing craigslist, Katie stumbled upon Preacher and thought he looked nearly identical to Desert (Mr. Desert Wine; thoroughbred gelding), one of her past horses that she adored. They were only asking $250 for him and they needed him gone quick. Katie saw one poor photo of him, a short 30 second clip of him jigging across a road and doing a rollback, and that was it. Never had she bought a horse sight unseen until now! She felt confident that if he wasn't "lesson horse quality", she could turn around and sell him easily.

This adorable gelding arrived like a belated Christmas present. Everyone was excited and discussing what he'd be like. When he got here, Samantha and Katie clipped his muzzle, jawline, ears, and bridle path quickly without any issues. We also brushed him up and took some 'before' photos.

Gabe had the honor of riding Preacher first. He noted that he's extremely bouncy in all gaits and unwilling to walk. Katie and Samantha both rode him and felt the same. Everyone believes he just needs a little "fine tuning" though! Preacher was very willing, honest, and responsive. The next 7-15 days Katie (and likely Samantha too!) will be working with Preacher to see if he can become a solid lesson horse.

Goals for Preacher are:
1. Learn "whoa"
2. Learn to collect up better
3. Learn to walk calmly
4. Learn rhythm for a trot
5. Learn a nicer slow trot that is bearable for beginner riders

Check back to see how he comes along!