Opie is a beautiful 6-year-old gaited gelding mule that rides and drives! He stands 15.2 hands tall and is truly an exceptional animal! Opie is super intelligent and athletic. He has a kind eye and a super gentle and loving disposition. He is very personable and loves attention. He always aims to please, has a great attitude, and is fun to be around- not to mention he turns heads everywhere he goes. We purchased Opie just a few miles from where he was raised.
Opie is a trick mule, as he will lie down from the ground or even while mounted. He will also sit like a dog and follow you like a puppy at your command. He will also park out when mounting to reduce his height, making getting on him more accessible. Opie can also side pass to a mounting block or whatever you choose to mount from. Opie has a super smooth, natural gait that is comfortable to ride all day. He has a long stride walk and will pick up and gait naturally to approximately 12-14 mph. In addition, he can one-hand neck rein, one-step lope, and has a big stop and excellent backup. After loping, he always returns to his natural 4-beat gait. As you can see in the video, he takes the correct lead when loping circles and has even been ridden bridle-less while doing so.
Opie is also an amazing trail mount. Our entire family has taken turns trail-riding him many, many miles. We’ve taken him on week-long camping trips where he has camped on the high line and been ridden daily, and he is the same every time. He will easily go up and down steep hills, cross logs, ditches, and deep mud and water. From sandy trails to rocky paths- Opie handles it all as he should and will safely pack his rider along the trails. He will ride in the front or the back, alone or with a group. He has also been hunted off many times and doesn’t mind other riders, dogs, lights, or guns. He has been used to pack from and also pony other horses. We’ve seen that whatever situation you put him in, he quickly adapts and is always willing.
Opie has also been used around our farm to check fences and pastures. He has been used to moving and checking cattle, and we have even taken him on a cattle round-up where he helped catch and move a few hundred cattle. He was truly tested in this event, where he had to trust his rider on very rough terrain while responding to quick turns, abrupt stops, and quick moves! He is also used to sheep and has had goats, cats, and dogs in and out of the stall and pasture with him and is very familiar and excellent with that. He also gets along well with other horses in the barn and the pasture; he is easy to catch and will meet you at the gate. He is clean and quiet in the stall, stands for the farrier, and loads and hauls great.
We’ve even taken Opie to the local horse show! He was wonderful and paid no mind to the crowd, lights, music, or commotion. He has been ridden and driven to town as well. He has been working in the fields in front of most farm machinery, and we have started driving him in t