07/09/2025
🌶️Second Required Post for 🌶️
Let me start by saying this isn't nearly our best ride - we're dodging thunderstorms and it is HOT and muggy here! It's not a *bad* ride, but we're both sweaty and feeling the heat.
Tabasco, however, is coming along so well! We had an incredible trail ride a few days ago where we got his first consistent canter going. This guy is a trail machine, and he's climbing banks, navigating down steep slopes, and getting through the maze of downed trees and limbs. We scared up a pair of huge blue herons and quite a few deer. His reaction to something unexpected is generally just to put his head up and hit the brakes. He is learning to regulate himself, to think things through and work through big feelings, which is huge for him as a horse that was formerly prone to bolting or bucking. He's never had a spook with me that he didn't come down from quickly and without drama.
Tabasco has had some behavioral issues in the past that were most likely linked to pain. He was also born feral and spent his first few years that way, so he has relied heavily on his own survival instincts and isn't sure about handing his trust over to just anyone. Once you have it, though, he is incredible.
He struggles with what I believe is an expectation of pain, causing him to tense up when he isn't sure what to expect. He is a very good communicator, though, and he's willing to tell you when he's uncomfortable. He knows how to say no, but it's never "no, I don't want to do this" - rather, it's "no, I'm uncomfortable and I don't think I can do this." When he does this (for example, he did not want to canter in the round pen today, but he will do so on the trail) we just go a step back and work on something he's comfortable with. He doesn't blow up or go ballistic, he just stops and puts his head up and says, no, this isn't right. Working with him has been a constant conversation, and as his comfort zone expands and he feels more confident, there's less and less he's not willing to at least try. Working in circles is harder for him, as I'm still working on getting him to be more flexible. At this point he's much happier and more comfortable on the trail, riding alone or in a group, with a loose rein and his head down.
He does everything a good boy should do on the ground, with a great attitude. He's a very lovey horse who is always down for scratches or a snuggle, and he comes right to me out in the field. He has never given me a "bad" behavior - he always lets me know when things are getting too much for him.
Tabasco's future person will have the most wonderful, attentive, and kind horse who would walk through fire for you - but to earn that, you just have to listen to him. He is already an amazing trail horse, and we will continue working on both that and his arena work. I'm hoping to trailer him out to a few places soon, so stay tuned!
Overall, I have really loved getting to know this horse. He is a steadfast, honest, and dependable soul who is willing to connect with people. He's genuinely curious about the world around him and he loves to explore. He's shown no buck/kick/rear/bolt here and everyone who meets him loves him.
Lastly, he stands at right about 14.2hh, but he's likely a draft cross, stoutly built with a large body that takes up your leg. He's definitely big enough for an adult to ride comfortably. Put in your applications on this big guy now, he's one you don't want to miss! He is definitely someone's heart horse.
