Month: December 2019

Bandit is not for sale at this time.

Buckskin Gold Bandit, aka Bandit, is a registered Tennessee Walker gelding (THWBEA 20408448/BU), 16 years old (April 2004), bred by Dream Walker Ranch, Las Vegas, NV. He stands 16-1 hands tall and has a strong build. He is one of the most athletic horses I have ever ridden. Bandit has a big motor and likes to be moving out ahead. He is easy to control, but takes a strong hand on the reins when riding with a group. For that reason, he requires a confident rider. He is not aggressive around other horses or people and does well in a group setting or by himself. Bandit is experienced on the trail and around cattle and shows some “cow sense” when pushing a herd. He is not prone to spooking and is sure-footed on the trail.

I have had Bandit on extended pack trips in the Blue Range Primitive Area in Arizona as well as the Jim Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. I have ridden him on some pretty tough trails in Utah as well. I recently rode him with a group to the Secret Corrals, near Salina, Utah, where I split saddle time with another horse. When I was not riding Bandit, I tied his lead rope around his neck and let him follow along. He stayed right with the group, followed in line, and caused no disruptions at all. Here’s a video of that trip, shot by my friend, Jon Tanner. Toward the end, there’s a lot of footage of Bandit handling the trail (I’m the rider with the red shirt and blue BYU cap).

He ties well on a high-line, to trees, or to a trailer, and does not pull. He is a pleasure to ride in the mountains. He is strong and can keep up his gait all day long.

Bandit has a very strong run-walk. Because he tends to push in a group, he often gets a little prancy, which is not unpleasant, but not as smooth as the run-walk. I am working on tuning him up to select and stay in the run-walk. He has a very nice canter. I have had him in a smooth rack at close to 15 mph without breaking into a canter, but he will canter when asked. He can really move when let loose to show off! An owner who is knowledgeable about TWH gaits would be able to get the best out of him in no time with a little consistency in riding. At this time he is getting very little use, which is why he is a little out of tune and why he is for sale.

Bandit is a tall horse, which could be a challenge for the average-height person to mount, however, Bandit was trained to “park-out” and will do so on cue. He extends his front legs forward, stretching out, lowering his back by nearly six inches, making mounting almost as easy as getting on a pony! Anyone can do it!

Bandit stands well for saddling/unsaddling and for mounting/dismounting and for grooming. He stands well for the farrier. He loads and unloads from a trailer effortlessly and will back out or come out forward. Bandit is easy to catch in a pasture or corral, normally coming right to hand. He is easy to halter and lead. He is friendly and gentle. He is good around traffic, handles bicycles and dogs well, and has a calm disposition. But, once you get on his back, he really wants to get moving!

Here are a couple videos I put together of Bandit:

Here are some photos of Bandit:

UPDATE:

Bandit sold to Megan Stewart, of Show Low, Arizona in January, 2023. She helped me and a friend out of a tough spot while on a pack trip last July, so she got a special deal on Bandit. I’m happy that I found the right person for Bandit. I think they’ll both be very happy.

TH

UPDATE: 05/15/2020:

Trigger is sold to Anthony Dorsey. His family is going to get a big surprise this evening. They’re going to love this horse!

UPDATE 04/28/2020:

I was very sad to learn this morning that Dave Nelson passed away yesterday. His family has asked me to help them find a new owner for Trigger. I am waiting for details and will post Trigger for sale as soon as I have more information.

————

Trigger was sold New Year’s Day to Dave Nelson in Torrey, Utah. Dave has a place that backs up to the Fish Lake National Forest, near Torrey, Utah, so Trigger is going to a very good owner in one of Utah’s premier riding areas. Sorry to see him go, but happy for his new owner.

————-

Be the envy of your horse riding friends!

My followers know that I train and sell excellent gaited trail and pack trip horses. I like them strong, sure-footed, gentle, and tough. I do not list horses that do not fit into well into this class of horse. I take particular care to try to match my horses to the right owner. This horse has a special place in my heart. He is likely the best horse I have ever known, from a breeding, conformational, and behavioral perspective. I did not train this particular horse, but I have been acquainted with him for several years. He is owned by my daughter. If you are looking for a horse that can carry you or a loved one through a parade downtown, a pleasure ride on the backroads, a trail ride with a group, or a pack trip on the roughest trails you can imagine, and never once cause fear or concern in the rider, this is the one. He also happens to be absolutely beautiful.

Sarah on Trigger

Trigger is a Tennessee Walker gelding, 16 years old (born April, 2004), standing 16.1 Hands tall, and very well-built. He is a chocolate palomino with a white blaze. He is not registered, but I have the registration papers of his Sire, Trouble’s Golden Sun (TWHBEA 981237/PA). Trigger has been lightly used all his life and is physically young for his age.  He is well-trained and well-seasoned on the trail. He is not prone to spooking and does well around traffic, bicycles, people, and other horses. In my herd he is the top of the pecking order, but he is not aggressive to horses or people.  Trigger neck reins, moves his fore and hind quarters and side-passes on heel cues. He has an excellent run-walk and can move along smoothly at 5-6 miles per hour all day long, yet he will also slow down and walk with your Quarter Horse riding buddies.

Trigger is a special horse. I have one friend who considers him to be the handsomest horse he has ever seen. When he has an expert rider on him, he’s an expert horse. With a child on him, he’s a babysitter. See the video of my granddaughter learning to ride on him at 5 years old. This video was taken in 2017.

When I have friends go with me on my trail rides and pack trips, Trigger is the horse I put them on. He is easy to control, but is no slouch. He will lead out, follow, or take the middle at any time. He is easy to handle for novice riders, yet he is a very comfortable and energetic ride for experienced riders, as well. Trigger has never bucked and has never given me any reason to be uncomfortable around him.

Trigger is a very seasoned and experienced trail horse. I have had him on extended pack trips in the Blue Range Primitive Area in Arizona and in the Jim Bridger Wilderness Area in Wyoming.

Anyone familiar with those areas can attest to the difficult terrain and rough trails. Trigger is strong enough to carry heavy riders on extended trail rides. While I have never had pack saddles on Trigger, because he is always under riding saddle on my trips, I have no doubt he would accept a pack without any problem.

Trigger (center) in the Jim Bridger Wilderness

Trigger stands well while saddling/unsaddling and mounting/dismounting. He is excellent for the farrier. Trigger loads and unloads easily and trailers well. He will back out or come out forward from a trailer. Trigger has large, strong hooves and is sound in every respect. He comes to you in the pasture or corral and is easy to catch.

Here is a short video of his run-walk:

Trigger is the kind of horse that will put a smile on your face all day long, even in the most difficult terrain and roughest trails.

He is offered for sale in Salem, Utah at $6,500. As usual, my 30-day money-back trial period applies. Take him home and if in 30-days you decide he’s not the horse for you, bring him back in good health and I’ll refund your money 100%.

A gallery of photos of Trigger: