There are only a handful of these horses left--some estimates are as low as three thousand. Of those, a much smaller number is trained to saddle. Of that small number even fewer have been ridden by a wide range of riders.
In short, if you have the privilege to handle, to ride, or have the extreme privilege to own one of these horses, you already know why they are so special. Endurance, over all health and soundness, ease of handling, smoothness of gaits--all of these things matter--but the older one gets, the more one understands the importance of temperament.
The good news is that more than any horses I have ever handled these horses focus on, and mirror, the emotions of the human with whom they regularly deal. The bad news, and it can be very bad news, is that these horses focus on and mirror the emotions of the humans with whom they regularly deal.
Want your horse to be calm and steady?--then become calm and steady yourself. Want your horse to be alert and pay attention to footing problems on the trail, in the woods, or even in the cut over?--then be alert and pay attention to the trail.
Are you having a problem with your horse?
Well don't blame the mirror.
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