Hello! My name is Dixie

Trail horse deluxe!!  Meet “Dixie”, 12 year old appendix Thoroughbred mare.  This girl is a well seasoned trail horse, not been used in the arena.  She loads, trailers and unloads like a dream!  She stands quietly tied, willingly picks up her feet, and you can mount/dismount from either side.  Ride alone or with others, she remains calm and quiet.  “Dixie” was recently evaluated for 5 days by Dani Ede at Crazy Horse Ranch in Stevensville, that evaluation follows this. 

Her Adoption Fee is $650.00.

Results of evaluation by professional trainer, Dani Ead, March 2013:

Dixie arrived here 3/10 pm.  She settled into a pen and was quiet and went right to eating.

3/11 she was difficult to catch in the pen, wanted to turn her hip toward you and when she could wanted to run thru you.  Got her caught after a bit of effort.  She bolted thru the pen gate.  Went back thru the gate until she was quiet.

Stood quietly while tied.  Enjoyed being groomed and didn’t fuss about anything.  Good with her feet.

Saddled quietly, back cinch, breast collar and fleece front cinch used.  No problems, not cinchy, not cold backed.

Led her to the round pen and turned her loose, no buck.  She doesn’t know anything about the round pen, worked fast, a bit nervous.  Did outside turns.

Stopped her and bridled her.  She bridled well, put her head down, but didn’t have a clue about the snaffle bit.  Chewed it nervously.  Used a fixed ring snaffle.  

Note that she has a slight filling in her right front tendon.  Very old, no heat, no lameness.

Stood in the stirrup and swung onto her back.  She stood fairly well, moved alittle at first and then settled into just standing.  Climbed on and off both sides.  She was fine with all that.  

Worked in on the ground with rein pressure and bending and stopping.  Very very stiff.  Noticed her right shoulder is higher than her left.  Maybe needs a chiropractor.

Took her back to the hitching rail, untacked her, groomed her and turned her out.  All very quiet.

3/12 Caught her with grain, she came right over and was caught easily out of a large pen.  Repeated same as yesterday, all quiet.  Worked the round pen better, did inside turns.  Tried a different bit, hackamore with broken shanked bit.  She was a bit quieter, but still not the right bit.

Rachel got on, me on another horse.  She was good to mount, but walked off immediately after you picked up your stirrups.  She was a bit nervous, walking quickly and broke to the trot.  Came back quietly.  Used two hands.  Doesn’t neck rein well.  She has a nice big walk.  Stopped readily and stood quietly.  Worked with the other horse close by and then took the other horse away, no problems.  Very stiff and out of shape, but good try and willing.

3/13  Caught Dixie with grain, in the dark with a headlamp on.  She was great, came right to me, no worries.  Saddled today and ridden out in the pasture to check the cows.   She has a big walk and big trot.  Not comfortable cantering, broke back to the trot.  Moved thru the cattle quietly.  Went thru ditches no problem. Rode her in a loose ring snaffle with a rope cavesson.  She did much better, didn’t chew the bit as much, not as nervous.  

3/14 rode out with another horse.  When we left the other horse was out front and Dixie got very nervous and wanted to hurry to catch up.  Moved her out front and she settled right in and was totally happy.  The other horse got very nervous and jigged and danced and Dixie never worried about that.  She walked out quietly and did fine when worked away from the other horse.  

She is a nice mare.  Stiff, out of shape, but willing to work.  Since we had a short time with her we could not work on specifics, but touched on general information.  She is not an arena horse, but is totally happy out and about.  She works alone or with another horse, but is much happier when out in front.  When mounting or dismounting she stands quietly, as soon as you sit down and pick up both stirrups she is ready to move and starts moving.  You can ask her to stop again, but she wants to walk off.  If she gets anxious to move and you want her to stand you can do a small circle and ask her to stand and she is willing to do that.  

She is a big stout mare.  She has a short topline, long underline.  Her shoulder is a bit straight, but she is comfortable to ride at walk and trot.  She has moderate bone and good feet.  Some flaring I believe is due to her earlier malnutrition and should improve with good care.  She has some old scratches on her hind cannon bones.  She has a nice hip although a bit short and a big beautiful brown eye.  She is good with her ears and you can handle her mouth.  

 I feel her worse problem is leaving right after you take  your outside stirrup.  This problem probably can be worked with and made much better as she wants to do the right things.

Thanks for letting us evaluate this nice big kind mare.