The horse

[MadeToFly]

Well, I added pictures of my puppy so I figure I'd throw in some pictures of my horse.

His name is Symbah, his show name is King Of The Jungle. He's a rising 6 year old Fjord x Thoroughbred gelding, standing at just 16 hands. Mama was 15.2 hands (TB), and dad was 14.2 hands (fjord) so yes, he's a freak of nature!
I've known him since he was a year old, and officially owned him when he was 2. I've done all the work on him from properly leading to now going over fences. I love him dearly and he's a "lifer", meaning he'll stay with me until his dying day as he's never for sale. We do little schooling shows for now until we really get going. He's doing great but I have some physical limitations that prevent us from reaching the top. But he's quiet, well-mannered and knows when he has a beginner on him. "Saint" isn't enough to describe him either. I am by no means a professional trainer, simply an amateur rider who lucked out on a great and forgiving horse. We're quite the team sometimes. =]

 

[milos_mommy]

WOW he is stunning! I love his coloring, he is a really beautiful horse.

 

[ACooper]

He's a beauty and you guys look GREAT together

 

[mom2dogs]

Wow, you two look great together! He's beautiful. I'm assuming you do hunters with him?

 

[Dekka]

What a cutie. The standy up mane must make show prep easier lol. I love the Fjords (and tbs.. but he looks so fjordee)

Horray another horse person!

 

[xpaeanx]

He's stunning! I love him already! LOL.

...... your pictures really make me miss riding though.... why does it have to be so freaking expensive????? no fair!

 

[Amber]

Eep. Symbah! He's such a cutie!!

This is Airam from VHR. (;

 

[Zoom]

He is GORGEOUS! I've always loved the little Nordic guys, although I wouldn't say yours is "little" LOL! He got the bigger boy TB genes in that respect!

 

[MadeToFly]

Thanks guys!

I do hunters with him right now, I've been wishing to try jumpers with him but he's a little funny in that respect. He LOVES rollbacks, or in-and-outs but the catch is that he is hit-and-miss jumping wise if he doesn't get to see the jump first. He has a weird fear of blue objects so blue poles are basically horse-eating monsters to him. I've just recently gotten him over that issue with him, but Hunters works out for us more because we can warm-up over the actual course first. I will, one day try Jumpers though! Haha It'll just involve lots of work! I also think he'd excel in cross country as he never blinks over anything out there. We've jumped walls, ditches, random giant 2'9 logs, etc. without hesitation. I'm just a big chicken!

xpaeanx - trust me, I know that feeling! All my money gets divided up between the dog and the horse but it's sooo worth it! Horseback riding is better than any other sport I've tried thus far.. just too fun!

Hello Airam/Amber!

Zoom - I know! It's actually a little shocking how he got so big considering both parents are fairly short! On his mom's TB side though, everyone else in her pedigree are fairly big horses so I guess it snuck in! I can't imagine how he'd actually be if he had a better previous owner! He was very underweight (about 100lbs) and not always properly fed so if that stunted him.. he would've been BIG! lol

 

[Dekka]

That indoor arena looks familiar...

 

[MadeToFly]

That indoor is Blacks Equine Centre, it's generally the place I show at in the winter. Infact, I have a show there this sunday! LOL
First show since the Rockton fair "disaster".

 

[Dekka]

Ahhh thats why... Cool good luck!

 

[ammomutt]

I like how he kept his sire's mane! Nice. I have 3 horses myself.

 

[BoxMeIn21]

Beautiful horse. You guys look like a good pair!

 

[MadeToFly]

Thanks Dekka!

I'm SO glad he got the Fjord mane.. it's awesome haha His high-neck blanket totally ruined it though lol it's all over the place now!
ammomutt - what breeds do you have?

BoxMeIn21 - Thank you! I love him dearly, haha.

Here's some more pictures, taken recently (sort of)

 

[Kristy_Spca3]

:yikes: you we're already jumping him over fences that high and when he was only two years old! You did know that a horse's bones aren't fully mature till they hit three right? And even there, all the horses at my local stables are only allowed to do jumps maybe the height of two trotting poles on top of each other to begin with...

By that I mean till they are used to doing them, then around the age of four-ish they can do jumps that are half their height or more...

 

[mom2dogs]

:yikes: you we're already jumping him over fences that high and when he was only two years old! You did know that a horse's bones aren't fully mature till they hit three right? And even there, all the horses at my local stables are only allowed to do jumps maybe the height of two trotting poles on top of each other to begin with...

By that I mean till they are used to doing them, then around the age of four-ish they can do jumps that are half their height or more...

How do you know when the pictures were taken or how old he was when she started jumping?

 

[BostonBanker]

The text says he is now six... and the horse in the pictures certainly doesn't look like a 2 year old. I'd assume most of the pictures are from the last year or so.

Always glad to see another horse person here! I was a die-hard hunter girl for years, but my current horse converted me to dressage, and now I'm obsessed with it. Your boy is too cute! All the adorable things I love about Fjords in a more athletic looking body - I love it!

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

He's beautiful ... and in the pictures you look SOOOOO happy with him.

 

[bubbatd]

Neat pictures !! I love his natural saddle pad ! Sure would hate to braid that mane though !!! How I miss our Hunters/Jumpers !