Toddy’s Apache Rebel

 Apache’s original owners decided it was time to sell the farm and move to town.  The sale happened quickly and they had to sell all of their farm items including their two longtime pets and trail horses.  I bought them both, but the other is not to the standard of safety or quality that this website requires.  However, Apache is!  I have no qualms about putting my name behind him as a, safe for anyone, experienced trail horse.  He is 63 inches at the withers, 15.3 hands tall and is in great shape coming off winter pasture only.  He is a blue papered Fox Trotter with Toddy’s Perfection breeding on top and Toddy’s father Giles hot Toddy on bottom, both lines are known for their gentleness.  Apache was the wife’s horse, she never had a problem with him. Even as a two year old he never offered to buck and never has in his life.  I have personally trail rode him to look for any weaknesses in him and have found none.  He has a large gas tank/stamina, no spurs necessary just ask for more and he will go.  He is easy to control and has a nice run walk and flat foot walk with reach, and rhythm.  For the shorter riders he will stand to me mounted from a mounting block.  He does not mind being in front or in the rear on trail rides.  I have ridden him with horses that he has never met, and he did great, no kick or squeal.  I have ridden him alone and he does great.  I like riding with a horse “on the bit” but he does fine loose reigned as well.  I think the ideal buyer for him would be a guided trail ride outfit that needs a horse that is powerful enough to climb mountains with any size rider and gentle enough for any stage of rider.  Although he has been a woman’s horse his entire life he would be good for big heavy guys to ride with their wives or girlfriends because he is very stout and powerful.  I am 6 feet 5 inches tall and weigh 250 pounds, it is hard finding a horse that does not look small around me. Apache fits me well and carries me with ease up and down our steep terrain. He is easy to load and backs out of the trailer on command.  On the trail rides I was testing him at every opportunity to look for strength and weaknesses so I could answer questions.

Here is what I have seen.  He crosses water with ease.  He crosses logs with large steps, not jumps, very good thing!  He does really well ascending and descending steep, rocky hills.  He was comfortable around cattle, loose horses in a pasture near the trail, a flock of wild turkeys and ATVs.  He has a nice short lope or canter, he neck reigned in the woods but not enough to go to reigning competitions.  Notice in the video clips I never use two hands just a combo of neck reigning and subtle cues.  I never had him stumble or falter, very sure footed.  He backs, and stops/whoa’ s on voice commands.  He does not fight the bit, swing his head, and does not seem to care what kind of bit you use. I use a medium port aluminum bit with a curb and got along well.  He has beautiful color and marking with lots of flashy eye appeal and it will be even better in the summer when he does not have the winter coat.

I took him to the best horse vet in the area for a soundness physical on 12/11/2017 and at 16 years old he is good to go for many more years of reliable service.  The vet checked for soundness at a walk and at gait, flexion in joints, and did a full physical.  While I was there I had him do a full dental treatment and bit seat.  His teeth are in perfect condition.   There is no missing teeth, rot, cavities, sharp points or hooks.  He has been exclusively on pasture and has good weight and coat.  Apache was born 03/02/01, 16 years old and is in prime shape. The vet saw no stiffness even though I rode him hard the day before.  He has a 14 year trail riding safety record that gives riders confidence that he will keep you safe.  He has a clean bill of health and has many more years of reliable service ahead of him. I have plenty of pasture left so if a buyer is worried about speedy pick up, don’t be I will work with you. Feel free to come any day between now and the sale day to ride him or call any time to talk.