OK - where do I start other then I think Buddy is a great big sweetheart with the sweetest eyes. He is just a big lover boy that wants to be near people. He loves his soft chin rubbed which I love to do. He follows you around like a puppy.
I got to the arena 15 minutes after the seller and her son had gotten there, they had walked Buddy around the arena and then put him in the round pen. This was the first time he had been to this arena. There were about 15 stalls full of horses on the other side of the wall of the arena.
When we walked in, he had his head up looking over the top of the solid walled round pen to see what we were doing.
Went in and he came right over for a snif and got his head close for a rub on the chin and stayed there.
Walked around him touching everything and he again just stood there. Seller pulled on his tail (harder than I would have) and he just looked back at her as if to say 'what are you doing'? But again, just stood there.
A light tap on side of foot while saying 'pick up your foot' and he picked them right up. Big nice looking feet and long strong legs.
Brushed him down - he was dusty and he just stood there.
Put the saddle on him from the right side - no problems. Seller said you can saddle from either side. She cinched him up tight and he didn't move. She walked him 5 ft or so and then cinched him again tight with no problem or issues from Buddy.
She first put a nose band type halter thing on him and then the bridle with soft curb bit with the roller in the middle. He took after she put her thumb in to open his mouth. He didn't open on his own right away.
You tap him on his left leg with the side of your foot and tell him to step out or something and he plants his legs out which lowers him a little then stands there until mounted and then stands there until you back him up out of it.
A few times during riding he would whinny to the stalled horses that were being fed.
He mostly direct reins but could be taught to move off the leg or neck rein pretty easily by someone spending time with him.
He is a great big guy but not intimidating at all. He is on the thin side but has gained weight since the seller took him in from a gal who lost her job.
He will have no issues carrying a lot of weight.
In the video the seller's son took, you will see the seller bumping up and down, going from the saddle to his rump, and then sliding off his back side. He just stood there.
He is really a great horse that doesn't look 17. I would buy him if I had the money. Seller is even willing to take payments.
I walked him out. He didn't blink an eye walking past the few stalls of horses on the way out.
He did start to walk ahead of me when we got to the door opening. I went uh uh and he stopped.
Seller went to put in slant load trailer with the slant in place and he stepped right in but didn't put the back legs in. In my opinion, I would have swung the slant open all the way so he could go all the way in. She backed him out walked him around and then he stepped all the way in the second time and stood still.
The seller says she will email you the 4 or so short videos her son took.
He's a very sweet boy that would be a joy to have. I have no hesitation in recommending him to you or anyone looking for a safe horse.
