A chip off the old block

Yesterday, I posted about Josh, my friend Jane's new trail mount. While we were at the residence of his owner, Mike, we also met two of Josh's sons. Both geldings are out of SF Asmaru-Jabask, a double *Bask-bred mare.

I wasn't able to get a good picture of the younger brother, Lightning (Bint Lightning Safire). Here is the picture I have:

I did, however, get quite a few pictures of Fadjur (Joshuas Fadjur Bask) while Jane and Mike were messing with Josh. Fadjur wasn't keen on having Josh out of the barn.

"Where are you taking my dad?"

"What are you doing with him?"

"I do NOT approve of this!!!"

"Are you paying attention to me??!!"

"You humans are soooo heartless!"

You can watch the drama unfold right here (you can also see Josh, the grey, in this video):

Another new face

I love to discuss the stories of the interesting horses I meet. Recently, i added another character to the list. His name is Shoguns Joshua Fadjur+ (Josh). For those of you unfamiliar with Arabian horse honors, the plus sign (+) behind his name indicates that he is a Legion of Merit recipient. In Josh's case, the points racked up at Arabian Horse Association-sanctioned events to earn this honor were all in endurance. This incredible gelding (former stallion) has knocked out over 4000 competetion miles!

Josh is retired from endurance now. I met him when my friend Jane and I visited his owner's place to look at the horses he had available for sale. Mike, the owner, first obtained Josh when he was a yearling. Mike trained him and competed with him for many years. Later on, Mike sold Josh to a lady in Colorado who competed in endurance. The situation did not work out, and the woman wanted Mike to take back Josh (whom she gelded before dropping him off in Iowa for Mike to get).

Jane has been looking for a new trail mount since she sold her Tennessee Walking Horse, Destie. Destie's stride was just too large for Jane's bad back, so she decided to try to find an easier ride.

Josh enjoyed being the center of attention, just like he had been back in his endurance days!

Josh had not been ridden in quite awhile, and he was excited to get out. First Mike, then Jane, then I each took a quick spin on him around the property.

Jane felt immediately comfortable on his stout back, and she informed us that his walk didn't jostle her back in the slightest.

There could just be something here!

Of course, Mike and Josh will always have a strong bond after years of training and competing together.

The only remaining concern was an issue of Josh's soundness. He sustained an injury that resulted in a chipped bone in his leg. Mike and Jane agreed to have a heavy (220+ lb) man put some miles on Josh over the weekend to see how he fared.

Today, Jane informed me that Josh passed his 10 mile "test" with flying colors. He's coming home with her!!! Congratulations, Jane!!