Fonzie has been reliable and consistent so I felt the time was right to start advertising to find his perfect person. Fonzie will give you his heart and soul if he trusts you but he is not an easily trusting horse so not for everybody - definitely the sort of horse that needs a relationship with his person.
Last weekend we were invited to join Rob Kroeger for a ride at Wareabouts Ranch - near Mesa Butte. Rob is one of my favourite horse people - he is a professional horse trainer and all around nice guy.
I decided to take The Fonz on the ride to see what he would be like in a group, around mares and on the trails and he definitely didn't disappoint. It all starts with loading into the trailer and even without a lead rope, I just point at the trailer and Fonz jumps right in. In my books that is a great start.
Despite the chaos of showing up at a training facility where there are a bunch of anxious youngsters and horses out of their element, Fonz was brilliant. I was a bit worried about going with a group, especially because there were mares going with us. All my worry was for naught - Fonz wasn't just OK - he was exceptional. If nobody knew his past, they'd never thought he was anything but a gorgeous, well mannered boy. We did a grueling and challenging 3 hour mountain ride and I can honestly say, I've never felt more comfortable riding any horse. He was sure footed and completely focused on the terrain. We came across some cattle and so I decided to see how he would be and just like everything I've asked of him - he was confident and trusting.
At Wareabouts, they have what I call, the bridge from hell. The bridge crosses Wareabouts Creek and is a steel grate bridge that you can see through. Aside from being quite high with no sides and terribly noisy, the horses can see the creek flowing underneath the bridge. It is not a bridge for the faint of heart and Fonz went across that bridge without hesitation. I couldn't have been prouder of him than I was in that moment. At one point I was about 1/3 of the way across the bridge when Gord announced he wanted to video us so I backed him off just as easily as that. I LOVE THIS HORSE!
Needless to say, I was a little more than skeptical when I came home that evening to several messages from a gal named "Tina" who was very interested in meeting The Fonz. We arranged a meeting for Sunday and it is with mixed feelings that I have to say, she was his perfect person. Everyone falls in love with a black horse so I didn't really care how she felt about the horse. Instead, I was watching how The Fonz responded to her and it was magical. I ended up telling Tina that I would cry if she took him and cry if she didn't. She left telling me she had a couple more horse to meet that afternoon and would let me know by the end of the day.
She came back twice that day and the deal was made. To my delight, she loves what I am teaching and asked if they could stay until the end of September so she could learn some of the "moves" Fonz already knows. If you don't already know how I sell a horse; I sell him with a money back guarantee. The horse leaves me happy, sound and healthy. If it doesn't work out for any reason (could be a cranky pasture mate you have no control over), you bring him back sound and healthy - I can always make him happy again. Happy Person = Happy Horse and Happy Horse = Happy Person!
Talk about six degrees of separation, Tina will be boarding Fonz at a facility where our good friends, Chris & Uli, keep their horses. Gord bought Magic from Chris and we often tease him that he sold the best horse he ever owned. Chris admits that for some reason, he and Magic simply didn't click. Another great reminder that just because a horse doesn't work out well for you, doesn't make him a bad horse. I whole heartedly thought Uli and Fonz would make a wonderful pair and Uli's horse Hank is having stifle issues. However, I completely respect the fact that Uli isn't ready to give up on Hank just yet by replacing him.
Now that The Fonz is moving on, I will finally have some time to get back to Nevar and Dexter. Nevar is starting out so well and my beloved Dexter has been terribly neglected this year. That alone makes the sadness of Fonz leaving bearable; as does the joy I see in Tina's face - she was absolutely vibrating with excitement.
Another Happy Ending - Tovie & Fonz
Last weekend we were invited to join Rob Kroeger for a ride at Wareabouts Ranch - near Mesa Butte. Rob is one of my favourite horse people - he is a professional horse trainer and all around nice guy.
I decided to take The Fonz on the ride to see what he would be like in a group, around mares and on the trails and he definitely didn't disappoint. It all starts with loading into the trailer and even without a lead rope, I just point at the trailer and Fonz jumps right in. In my books that is a great start.
Despite the chaos of showing up at a training facility where there are a bunch of anxious youngsters and horses out of their element, Fonz was brilliant. I was a bit worried about going with a group, especially because there were mares going with us. All my worry was for naught - Fonz wasn't just OK - he was exceptional. If nobody knew his past, they'd never thought he was anything but a gorgeous, well mannered boy. We did a grueling and challenging 3 hour mountain ride and I can honestly say, I've never felt more comfortable riding any horse. He was sure footed and completely focused on the terrain. We came across some cattle and so I decided to see how he would be and just like everything I've asked of him - he was confident and trusting.
At Wareabouts, they have what I call, the bridge from hell. The bridge crosses Wareabouts Creek and is a steel grate bridge that you can see through. Aside from being quite high with no sides and terribly noisy, the horses can see the creek flowing underneath the bridge. It is not a bridge for the faint of heart and Fonz went across that bridge without hesitation. I couldn't have been prouder of him than I was in that moment. At one point I was about 1/3 of the way across the bridge when Gord announced he wanted to video us so I backed him off just as easily as that. I LOVE THIS HORSE!
Needless to say, I was a little more than skeptical when I came home that evening to several messages from a gal named "Tina" who was very interested in meeting The Fonz. We arranged a meeting for Sunday and it is with mixed feelings that I have to say, she was his perfect person. Everyone falls in love with a black horse so I didn't really care how she felt about the horse. Instead, I was watching how The Fonz responded to her and it was magical. I ended up telling Tina that I would cry if she took him and cry if she didn't. She left telling me she had a couple more horse to meet that afternoon and would let me know by the end of the day.
She came back twice that day and the deal was made. To my delight, she loves what I am teaching and asked if they could stay until the end of September so she could learn some of the "moves" Fonz already knows. If you don't already know how I sell a horse; I sell him with a money back guarantee. The horse leaves me happy, sound and healthy. If it doesn't work out for any reason (could be a cranky pasture mate you have no control over), you bring him back sound and healthy - I can always make him happy again. Happy Person = Happy Horse and Happy Horse = Happy Person!
Talk about six degrees of separation, Tina will be boarding Fonz at a facility where our good friends, Chris & Uli, keep their horses. Gord bought Magic from Chris and we often tease him that he sold the best horse he ever owned. Chris admits that for some reason, he and Magic simply didn't click. Another great reminder that just because a horse doesn't work out well for you, doesn't make him a bad horse. I whole heartedly thought Uli and Fonz would make a wonderful pair and Uli's horse Hank is having stifle issues. However, I completely respect the fact that Uli isn't ready to give up on Hank just yet by replacing him.
Now that The Fonz is moving on, I will finally have some time to get back to Nevar and Dexter. Nevar is starting out so well and my beloved Dexter has been terribly neglected this year. That alone makes the sadness of Fonz leaving bearable; as does the joy I see in Tina's face - she was absolutely vibrating with excitement.
Another Happy Ending - Tovie & Fonz
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