Dude is a 10-year-old American Saddle-bred Gaited Gelding. He stands 15 hands tall and is truly one of the good ones. It has been so fun to ride and train this horse. Dude is a very quick learner who, I believe, really tries to understand what you are asking and then responds. He is one of my go-to horses if I know I am going on a long ride in rough country. Even though he is not very big, he will go all day wherever you point him. I have commented on multiple occasions that I think he is part mountain goat. He will set a ground-eating pace or slow down if you are leading a slow string.
I love riding him because I know he is totally trustworthy, and I can focus all my attention elsewhere, knowing he will take care of himself and me. I love his gait; it is just like floating on a cloud. Dude is truly a been there done that type of horse. He is totally comfortable going down the county road with traffic all around or crossing huge rivers and crawling through deadfall trees. Dude is equally comfortable leading the string, or you can throw a pack on him and make him part of the string.
While I would consider Dude to be totally safe, I would recommend him for an intermediate-level rider. I say this because he picks up on ques really well, and often, an inexperienced rider will be asking him for things they don’t realize. For example, if they are squeezing with their legs, they will go faster and faster until they release pressure. If they are pulling back and don’t release pressure, he will keep backing up. His attention to the rider makes him a blast to ride, and I have helped several riders learn how to be better riders by putting them on Dude and teaching them how they communicate with the horse. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own one of the good ones that so rarely comes available.