I took #HOPTeamData on his first trail ride yesterday and guys, I am being so serious when I say that he is an incredible young horse. This was his first time being ponied and his first time on this trail and he absolutely rocked it. He didn't spook at the deer in the woods, the running water, electric tape, plastic bags, signs, or anything! He has such a great mind for such a young horse and he really could go in any direction his person wants to take him. I think he'll be incredible on trails or in the arena once he's old enough to ride, and he's so calm and steady he's going to be a breeze to get under saddle. Someone come adopt this amazing little horse!! Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC Appalachian Trainer Face Off
I borrowed #HOPTeamData this morning for a fun little session! He has been off for a few weeks while we all decompress from the ATFO. He's been out in the big field with the other horses and has been enjoying himself and growing like a weed! And look at what a cute little mover he is! 😍
#HOPTeamData getting in one last pedicure before we leave tomorrow 💅✨
A ride with #HOPTeamCalliope, also featuring unnecessary contributions from #HOPTeamKhan and Felix (they knocked my tripod over). The good news is, Callie is quickly figuring out the cue to transition to a canter, as well as starting on the correct lead! This girl is so smart. She still struggles to maintain it without falling back into a pace while on a circle, but she is working hard and using her brain. She can canter for much longer periods of time in a straight line on the trail - with muscle and consistent work, I know it will continue to improve! 🖤 Less than a week until ATFO!
#Hopteamdata is back at it in the ring full throttle. We went back to some desensitizing training to refresh ourselves after light duty for his leg this past month. We are hitting the ground walking and by the end of the week plan to be running. We have a short time to work out any quirks from the rest he was on, but we don't foresee any problems as Data is exceptionally smart and to retains what he learns really well.
Congratulations to #hopteammila on getting adopted to a new home!
#HOPTeamCalliope Third Required Post
Callie will be available via adoption auction to approved adopters at the ATFO event in August 24 starting at 6:45pm EST.
✨ About Callie ✨
12 year old Rocky Mountain Horse mare
15.1hh
Advanced Beginner Friendly
✨ What Can Callie Do? ✨
Walk/Gait/Canter (we are still working on her canter departures in the arena, but they are getting smoother)
Tie/ground tie. She stands still to be bathed, fly sprayed, and does great with the farrier/vet
Back/side pass/turn on the hind end
Crosses obstacles, water, and difficult terrain
Direct rein, started on neck rein
Turns off of your leg and seat
Rides alone or in a group with no drama
Ponies other horses on trails
Loads with no drama and travels well
Rides off site in unfamiliar places with new horses
Goes out in a mixed herd, is good with other horses
✨ What's Callie Like? ✨
She is a natural hard worker and wants to please. She is also a very personable, in your pocket type horse who loves to be loved on! Being groomed and fussed over is her favorite thing in the world. She's easy to catch in the field and has not become significantly bonded to any other horses; she leaves them without any drama. She is a relaxed and confident trail horse with very little spook - the few times she has spooked it has been very small and she doesn't escalate the behavior. She has been exposed to all kinds of terrain and wildlife, ridden around cars, in deep water, under a bridge with cars passing over, and has handled it all with grace. She is fun no matter the level of the rider - she can tote a beginner around at a walk, or she can hit a hard trail with an experienced rider. She is a forward walker who will keep up with a group, and a smooth gait that is super comfortable to ride. Her canter is absolutely lovely as well. She is forward but doesn't feel rushed, and she is not constantly pulling or trying to go faster - she just moves like a gaited horse. She watches where she puts
I took #HOPTeamCalliope out riding yesterday and while we were off the trail, trying to get around a fallen tree, Callie stopped dead in her tracks. The area we were in was pretty messy with leaves and branches, but she's always been good about navigating around obstacles before so I wasn't sure why she stopped right before she was about to step over a small log. I gave her a bit of leg pressure, and she still refused to move forward. Since this was so out of character for her, I decided to just trust her and go around the log instead. She turned her body, but kept her head pointed in the same direction as she walked slowly past what I then realized was a very large black snake. She saw it when I didn't, alerted me to the problem, and did not spook. We went around the snake and she walked calmly back to the trail. She manages to be so alert on the trail without being wound up or anxious, and she handled the situation with so much maturity and confidence - every day I am more and more proud of the horse she is becoming!
#HOPTeamCalliope is learning some new tricks for the ATFO next month!
#HOPTeamCalliope helped me give a lesson to 11 year old Sophie this week! Sophie had never ridden a gaited horse before, but she had a blast and is very excited to ride her again before the ATFO ☺️
Have you been watching #HOPTeamCalliope videos and wishing you could take her for a trail ride? Well, here's a virtual ride we took on our new GoPro so Callie fans can see what it's like sitting behind those adorable ears! It's a long video, and you'll have to put up with our trail music and your noisy trail guide, but I think this was just a great way to show how solid she is. This is an hour condensed to ten minutes to show the variety of terrain on our usual ride as well as the obstacles she tackles on the trail. This mare goes where you point her. She is so brave and smart, and she is so much fun. She's going to have a ton of trail miles by August!
Dozer I just want to ride in peace 😭 #HOPTeamCalliope
