Riding Red Feather

I was surprised when JK told me that she wanted to ride Red Feather. Although JK completed the 46 mile ride on her Corolla,Sampson she still had not spent a tremendous amount of time in the saddle. She certainly had spent less time in the saddle than any of the few people who had ridden him in the woods.

Last night they did it. She rode Red Feather for about an hour and a half. We spent a lot of time on a trail that was submerged and at several points the water was up to Red Feather's belly. Both horse and rider hung tough. Early on, a cracking stirrup caused Red Feather to spook sideways. JK had a foot in a stirrup, a boot in the saddle seat and her hands on the reins. She righted herself and calmed Red Feather down and we rode on.

I never thought that Red Feather would ever be ridden by any but the most experienced of riders. Instead, he is becoming a solid,little trail horse. He is only 12.2 but is a spectacular athlete who has carried a rider and saddle combination weighing around 200 pounds with absolutely no problem.

Those who have never been exposed to Spanish Mustangs would have a very hard time imagining such a pay load on such a small horse.(No, JK and the saddle didn't weigh 200 lbs. I am referring to another rider)Those who have ridden the smaller mustangs for years would not bat an eyelash at the combination.

(The picture above is of JK and her Corolla Spanish mustang, Sampson.)