Willoughby (aka Will, William, Wildebeest, Wilbur…the nicknames continue): a cute, compact chestnut gelding with  a tiny star and the beginnings of a mustache on his soft snout. He is a striking copper color and he has a nice laidback vibe about him that has made him a favorite around the barn.

Will has done a fair amount of work during his time here including attending an off-site clinic with Michael Lyons in the spring, trailering out to the trails multiple times this year and being a demo horse at one of our scout days.

His favorite things are splashing in the streams on the trails and popping over logs along the trails and doing obstacles at home. He’s very brave and does not bat an eye going over teeter totter bridges, through a caution tape cowboy curtain, through kiddie pools and side passing over bright flower boxes. He’s cool and calm about navigating those tricky obstacles.

He’s done a lot of groundwork including round penning, lunging, self-loading on the trailer, sending over obstacles, long-lining, yielding the HQ and FQ,  backing and side passing. Under saddle he’s going walk/trot/canter, playing with some lateral movement, riding through obstacles, trail riding and popping over small jumps. He is an all-around guy!

What he needs: he would love a job doing all the things described above. He is a sensitive/responsive guy on the ground and under saddle and he has some cool buttons so he does need a person that can provide quiet aids. He is typically a quiet guy but sometimes can have spurts of energy so he needs a confident rider. He’s also pretty compact so a shorter rider would be most comfortable on him. The rider in the photos is 5’6’’.

He loves treats and playing halter tag and racing around with his buddy, Rodg, an older Arabian gelding in his field.

Will is a cribber and he does have front shoes on. Currently managed out 24/7 in a big herd of geldings but he has been out with both mares and geldings. He’s also comfortable and well mannered in a stall.