Jay

Jay’s owner, Emily, wanted to know if Jay was interested in letting her ride him. She’s had him since he was a gangly 17-month-old gelding. Now he’s 20.

Here’s what Emily says about Jay’s life with her:

We’ve
competed in Halter,Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Huntseat Pleasure, Team Penning, Barrels, Extreme Equestrian Race and Competitive Trail Riding.He was also the mascot for my high school, my senior year. We
have trained for Roping, Reining, Dressage and Hunter Over Fences. We have ridden miles upon miles of trails and parades,pushed cattle and ran on the beach. He has seen numerous boarding stables, boyfriends and
lesson students and has been a part of my own boys’ childhood.

I recently learned that the average horse goes through 12 owners during their lifetimes. It’s such a good feeling to know a horse who found his forever home as a youngster.

I asked Jay what he thought about being ridden again. He said he would love it if Emily saddled up and rode him again. Then he gave me a lecture on the importance of good posture. He said that he hoped that Emily would ride with a  straight, but relaxed back. He showed me a picture of her sitting on his back, and him turning his head and looking up at her. He’s saying “Are you a bag of groceries? No? Don’t sit like one!”

He sounded like a jolly grandpa. When I told Emily about our conversation, she said that he had been a schooling horse for years. She was concerned that maybe he didn’t enjoy his job.

I went back to ask him about being a school horse and whether he likes to teach kids.He said he loves to teach kids to be good riders. It’s what he lives for.

Emily said “Jay is the best lesson horse about that kind of stuff because when the kids sit right and ask right-he does what ever he’s supposed to!”

Jay has a home with Emily for the rest of his life, whether folks ride him or no.