Amadeus has been raised and trained in ranching lifestyle and all that entails. Range riding, doctoring, sorting, branding, trailing, calving, shipping, you name it! He's wicked handy in a branding pen and covers country like a freight train. He's used frequently at the local sale barn to back pen cattle. He's been used to halter break babies and mature horses, we use him to start colts. He's extremely soft in your hand and in his body. He moves all four quarters, counter-archs, side passes, backs, works gates, loads in the trailer (you can even send him in from 20+ feet away at a trot), stands tied all day long. You can bridle him up and ride him into the bit or ride on a loose rein. He has zero english experience but we had a local gal that rides and does equitation hop on him in a whim, in a western saddle and she said she is confident in his ability to pass a level one equitation test with his current training and handle.
We've used Amadeus extensively in the mountains- Bob Marshall Wilderness and Lewis and Clark National Forest. He crosses bridges, logs and water without a question and will ride trail ALL DAY LONG. He's done multiple 25+ miles-a-day trips to hunting camp and handles it well. He leads strings of mules without issue. He's packed a pack saddle and a couple beginner loads but I certainly wouldn't consider him a seasoned pack horse at this time. If he isn't sold, he is going to be used as a pack horse through this hunting season to pack harvested animals out.
The amount of things Amadeus has seen while "playing" with our family has made him extremely familiar with new experiences- everything we've thrown his way he has taken in stride and is a quick learner. We have had him pull sleds both with a rider and being driven (never actually harnessed or hooked to a sleigh/ wagon though). We can crawl under his belly, slide off his butt, uses tarps, flags, whips, exercise balls thrown at him and he kicks them around, you can shoot pistols from his back. We've ridden him in parades and used him in grand entries.
You will not find a more loving and attention seeking but RESPECTFUL gelding out there. Amadeus LOVES to be loved. He is used to being bathed and groomed on the regular.
Amadeus is the perfect addition to anyone's pasture or stable and can go any direction you're willing to take him.
Layne can tell you all the "bad" things/ quirks or idiosyncrasies about this horse as he knows him like the back of his hand. We are not willing to hide anything from anyone good or bad, so if you have a question- ASK!
We feel Amadeus is best suited for a confident intermediate or advanced rider due to his BIG motor and movement. He is gentle and very broke but has enormous power and could be intimidating or dangerous to a rider that doesn't have a ton of experience, especially someone who isn't used to riding friesians.
https://youtu.be/81-pcbQMBeY?si=Qn0