Grayson is a 2005 Paso Fino X...or that's what I was told by the USERL (the rescue group I adopted him from).
He is not gaited to my knowledge but I know nothing of gaited horses and I do not think he's ever offered a gait different than W, T, or C. I do know that his movements are nothing like those of a Paso Fino. Regardless, he's a nice mover. He has the nicest canter I've ever sat...he has a HUUUUUUUGE walk (the little turkey needs to wear overreach boots!) and his trot is some place in the middle.
Grayson has proved himself to be pretty good on the trails...and he seems to thoroughly enjoy himself. We need to work on ring work...that's one of our goals this year.
I've always ridden English and I have a Collegiate Senior Eventer that I love but earlier this year I realize my pony had outgrown the saddle. His very sloping shoulders were interfering with the front of the saddle. So I went out and bought an Abetta western saddle. I do love this saddle and it seems to work better with Grayson but I would like to return to English at some point. Maybe even a little dressage :)
Grayson also goes really well bitless. I've ridden him twice with a bit and then moved on to Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle. I LOVE this bridle (I actually have two...one in brown and one in black). I don't think all horses go well in bitless but it works well for Grayson.
I've never done any halter or showmanship classes but we're both learning together...and surprisingly, having a lot of fun. He seems to naturally pick up a lot of the moves and he does it with enthusiasm...maybe this year we will do some showmanship classes. Right now we are working on pivots.
This kind've goes hand in hand with showmanship but Grayson is a trick guy...I can teach him to do just about anything if I have a treat in my hand. I've gone back and forth with whether I want to hand feed treats, but Grayson has learned to respect me and my space when I have treats. He has moments of weakness which I call "treat brain" where he can't think about anything but the treats...but we deal with it and that's that. I've learned I can teach him a new "move" with a treat because he tries REEEEAAAALY hard to please.
Grayson is also a LOVE BUG...I think he would sit in my lap if I let him. He just loooooves attention...from anyone!
