We've got this youngster at home. He's well bred. But he is a cross of two very slow maturing breeds, so he is still gangly and unfinished at over four years old. Depending on when you look at him, he doesn't seem to fit together sometimes. And due to one of the breeds which is responsible for 1/2 of his pedigree, he is a hairy s.o.b. as soon as the weather turns cool :-)
He was a spectacular foal, but he's been ugly as sin ever since. My friend thought I'm mad when I said I have high hopes for him, and she fell in love with his elegant (if still hairy) half brother. She couldn't stand the sight of this young fellow. I will agree, on a beauty scale of 1 to 10 for horses, he'd be a 1.5 :-) It didn't help that he rubbed his forelock off, and just had this jagged stubble of fur between his ears. I actually cut it to the same length of stubble, which looked mildly less bad.
But... we brought him in to start him. She thought that's great because then he becomes a saleable item and she won't offend her eyes by having to see him much longer. But... what transpired is that he's one of the easiest, calmest, most sensible horse critters we've ever started. He's also very well gaited. His solid body and sloping croup look none too appealing out in the paddock. But put a saddle on him and ask him to step out... Whoa! What self-carriage! He steps under well and his has a lot of natural action as well.
Suddenly there is no more talk of wanting to see the back of him. He has impressed everyone with his personality and his movement. He is a delight to work with. And when he moves, he is beautiful.
May I present .... Rorion NS:
In case you are wondering what his breeding is? He is by an Icelandic stallion out of a Peruvian Paso mare. In Germany, these are known as Aegidienberger horses. Here, we would call him a Paso Creole.
Next summer, when he has shed that winter coat and is another year closer to maturity, he will look as nice as he is inside.
