Ghost Dance is a BLM mare from a herd that was part of the Army Remount program which was designed to keep a constant and cheap source of cavalry horses available in the event that they were needed for national defense. Government gunman killed the little Spanish stallions in the wild bands and released Thoroughbred and Morgan stallions into the herds to produce future cavalry mounts should they ever be needed. This program lead to the creation of ideal potential polo ponies, but nearly erased the pure Spanish mustang herds of the west.
Ghost Dance has never been ridden hard enough to develop her strength until this summer when she began her training for the 100 mile ride. She and Emily Marble have become quite taken with each other. This morning we scheduled a fast trotting five mile run with none of the horses being allowed to canter. Ghost Dance has gotten stronger and stronger with her training regimen.
This morning at the 2.5 mile post Emily gushed out, "She is gaited..so smooth..so wonderful!" When we got back she showed me Ghost Dance's special gait. It is unlike the "Indian" or Appaloosa shuffle. It is not quite like a walking horse.
This was really a great surprise. We are developing a cadre of some of the smoothest, most reliable trail horses that one will find. Some are gaited, all are comfortable and all are tough. Even the few domestic horses on our place are becoming hard as steel. Living as naturally as possible, never meeting a stable or or a horse shoe being a part of a herd has made our horses remarkably healthy and happy.
(My little riders are getting tough too!)
2 comments:
I am glad some new people are getting to ride Ghost Dance. She is worthy of being ridden more then just by me and Brent.
-Lydia
Very joyous to see Ghost Dance(ing) through the serenity of woods and trails of Mill Swamp with the brightbeautiful smile on Emily's face :)
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