Mater is a 15.3hh 17 year old draft cross. He has been with me since 2019 just before Covid hit. I bought him from a friend who owns Tightfit Stables in Baxter, TN.

I started with leasing him, and when we hit it off, I made arrangements to buy him. He had been given to her by a rescue, thinking he would be a good fit for her lesson program. Mater ended up being a little too smart and a little too stubborn, which was perfect for me. He has a personality very similar to my boy Comanche.

In our early days, we spent a lot of time conditioning and learning the basics. He had no idea how to use his body for anything other than pushing people around. He had to learn to steer and to carry himself. Initially, I had hoped he would be a good fit for the Hunter ring or Western Dressage ring, but neither really suited his personality.

When we moved to Florida, he decided he preferred my husband to me. My husband is inexperienced but a quickly learner, so Mater’s shenanigans didn’t work on him. It took a few rides for them to figure each other out, but they’re a good fit for one another.

Mater is quite happy being mostly a pasture pony with the occasional trail ride for work. I ride him here and there to keep him fit, but he mostly gets to enjoy life as a spoiled pet. He loves the attention and the lack of work!