Apache

"Smokin Apache Sam"

5 year old registered Pinto Gelding #116629

Born March 15, 2003 $2500

Sire is Registered Quarter Horse "Smokin Texas Domino"

Dam is Registered Pinto "Sams Cherokee Gal"

This flashy tri-colored gelding is ready for someone to take him to the next level. He has had one owner, had imprinting in his youth, has always had great care, and is up to date on shots, coggins and wormings.

Apache just turned 5 on March 15. He is good for the farrier, very smart to learn, easy to catch, loves attention and stands somewhere around 16 hands. I have a hands measuring stick so I will stick him shortly and get an exact measurement out here soon. Photos taken March 2, 2008.

Apache has that curious, playful personality and wants to be right in the middle of everything. He is so smart and quick to learn and really tries to please. He is always right there at the gate trying to get your attention, see what you are up to and let you know he is there! He gets along great with other horses, even plays with our stallion and is best buds with everyone. He is laid back and quiet and just a pleaser type horse.

Past Training: Apache was saddle broke as a 4 year old, and had a person on his back a few times and then was turned back out to pasture as the owner didn't have the time to stick with the training. He has had 5 years now to develop and grow and his legs are healthy and they have not had the strain of early training which we are thrilled about.

Current TRAINING: Apache was at a dressage/jumping trainer from the middle of this May until June 30th (a month and 1/2). They got him started under saddle, taught him to cross tie, wear leg boots, stand for the electric trimmer on his face and fetlocks, go over low jumps at a walk, and got him doing all the basics. He is quiet under saddle, with no buck.

Continued training: June 30, 2008 to August 9, 2008: We picked up Apache from the first trainers, and took him to a second trainer who specialized in Reining (Sliding K in Aubrey Texas). This way he has an all around foundation. We picked him up August 9 and he is doing great!!!

So he has had 90 days of professional training roughly, and will now continue his training on our farm. He backs, moves his hips and shoulders, spins circles, picks up the correct lead, side passes, leg yields and is doing really well under saddle. We will continue riding him 4 to 5 times a week until sold. This is a gorgeous horse, very nice mover, very very sound and healthy and ready for his next home!

Apache would be great for any discipline and is well worth the money we are asking. He is ready to move on to the next level of training once he returns. If you are interested in him, he will be available for pickup at the end of July. Please email if you have any questions. (Will be keeping training log at the bottom of this page).

Continued Training Log:

8/10/08Ridden by Melissa in round pen for about 45 minutes. Walk, trot, canter, worked on leg yields, bending, backing.

8/12/08Ridden by Lauren in round pen briefly today. Walk, trot

8/17/08Ridden by prospective buyer in round pen and ourside of the round pen in small pasture, walk, trot and lope in English saddle.

8/22/08Ridden by Lauren in round pen and in the pasture, walk, trot and lope.

8/23/08Ridden by Melissa in round pen and then out in a pasture. Things I notice about him: Stands tied well away from other horses, doesn't seem too concerned about where he is or where everyone else is. Stands well for putting on the saddle. Lifts his head a little when putting the bridle on and resists a little, but not too bad. Leads well with tack. Lunges well in both directions in the round pen. Picks up correct leads. Reverses well if you step slightly in front of him. No buck when lunging. Nice movement, really extends.

Under saddle observations. Likes to step off when mounting, so we worked on that. I made him and a while after I mounted. Nice walk, trot and canter. Nice to ride. Needs work on bending, stiff on his direct rein turns. Better to the right than to the left on bends. I could tell his training was more on lifting and moving around like a reiner. If you lift up on the reins and bump him over, he will spin circles well. Side passes in both directions nicely. He backs fine, but needs to give to the bit more and drop his head instead of lifting it. If you bump him with your legs and keep backing him, he eventually did give to the bit and brought his head down where it belongs. We will work on that. I like the fact that he doesn't seem concerned about his surroundings. Didn't spook or seem stressed, just did what he was asked and was in work mode. He needs to be more supple and loosen up a bit with his movements. Responds well to outside leg, but doesn't bend around your inside leg. No buck, no rear, no bolt.

8/24/08Worked a couple hours by Wayne today on ground work, bit him up and had him bending left and right following his tail. Didn't ride him, just did the ground work. Hoping that will supple him up some on the bends. Will continue to do more ground work, and see how it helps in the saddle.

8/28/08Ridden by Wayne. Lunged, and then worked, walk, trot, canter in the saddle. Worked a lot on bending left as that is his weak side for bending. Worked a little over an hour.

8/29/08Ridden by Billy in open pasture, walk, trot and canter. They spent the time walking and trotting and doing a bunch of circles. Mentioned that by the end of the ride, he was bending better.

9/1/08Worked in round pen by Billy. Started off in pasture but gun shots from dove hunters made him nervous so Billy took him into the round pen and lunged him. After lunging Lauren rode him a bit, and then Billy rode him a bit.

9/2/08Picked up by potential buyer. Currently having sessions with her trainer. They mentioned he catches on quickly, and so far they are enjoying him. Got him standing nice in their washrack. Says he has settled in to their farm.