| I've known our stallion Moonlight Money Maker (MMM) since he was a 2 year old, but we just bought him last fall (he just turned 8 yrs old in August 2009). He ran wild until he was 4 years old (never been handled) and then his owner at the time sent him to a trainer for 30 days. The trainer, Clayton Lee of Rising Ranch in Slippery Rock, PA had him halter broken and started under saddle with in 3 days. Was taking him on trail rides by day 7! At the end of the 30 days he returned to his owner and was supposed to go to another trainer to start a Reining career, but due to an unscrupulous trainer that did not happen....so he went back to being a pasture ornament and stud only. Clayton loved MMM and told me that the was the most easy going, intelligent and athletic stallion he'd ever trained regardless of breed! Since Clayton is not an Arabian buff, this was high praise indeed! Clayton was sorry to see him go and if he'd been our horse at the time, we would have put him back down with Clayton but due to circumstances that didn't happen. After 4 years of being idle, we were finally able to buy him last fall. Over the summer, I've gotten back into riding after a 10 year hiatus due to health problems. I've been giving my son riding lessons over the summer and my 64 year old Mom has also been riding after a 10 year hiatus. We've been riding our dead broke, completely unflappable 18 year old Arabian mare, Magics Alamyst (Allie) over the summer. Late summer, I started riding a really nice little stallion (14.2 hands) , Cabby that we have leased that is very well trained. I've been doing pretty good but I still can't post worth a darn (although I'm working on it). I'm disabled so riding is one of the best things I can do, but I am totally out of shape! Beginning of November 2009, I just got the urge to try out MMM. I wasn't sure how he would be after not being ridden in 4 years and only having 30 days training under saddle. He was an absolute PEACH! I took him on a 45 minute trail ride with my 15 year old son riding Allie. I rode him with a hackamore (that is way to big for him) and western saddle and only lunged him for 5 minutes before riding. He was totally calm and I even trotted and cantered him! I was actually able to post! He has the smoothest trot I've ever ridden, so fluid that I was able to post! Yeah! The only nervous part was crossing the creek on the trail, MMM followed Allie one step in and them LEAPED out the rest of the way a good 10 feet including a small embankment! But he didn't lose me and it was not totally unexpected as he's never been ridden over water before. It was so exciting! MMM is 16 hands, so much taller than I'm used to riding (I'm 5' tall so he's big!) and so powerful. The difference between riding him and the little stallion I'm used was phenomenal. I can't wait to ride him again and plan to ride him everyday the weather is good. Clayton had told me how good he was, but I was shocked at how he remembered everything including backing and not bothering the mare, Allie, while being ridden ( he was literally right at her hip a few times and did nothing studly at all). The second time we crossed the creak he walked right through it, no problem. Now my Mom and son can't wait to ride him too! I may let them in a few weeks...maybe! Love that boy and he continues to astound us with his intelligence and easy going nature. More details to come as we progress. Photos were taken on our second & third ride, he's fat and fuzzy for winter. -Tory |
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