Jasper

Jasper is an adorable 14 hh, 4 year old Mustang gelding who comes to us from our friends at Kritter Ridge Equine Sanctuary in Stowe, Maine. He was pulled from auction earlier this year, and spent several months with a trainer in NH being ‘gentled’ before returning to Kritter Ridge and subsequently joining our program. Jasper was unhandled prior to this summer, but his previous trainer did a wonderful job as he is curious, friendly, and very game to learn new things. 

February 2026 update: Jasper is proving to be a very smart and sensible student. He stands well for grooming and the farrier (with a little encouragement from his handler), and has a solid grasp of basic groundwork such as circling, yields, and back up. Our current focus is on helping him to soften and yield through his body when in motion, so that he can start to find a more relaxed posture and stretch. We use body work, lateral movements and poles to help with this concept. We are also introducing liberty work in the round pen, and soon will introduce lines and a surcingle to begin ground driving. Jasper loves playing hard in turn out with his best pal Smokey, and will be one who wants a playful friend in future. 

April 2026 update: Jasper continues to progress wonderfully in his training, and has quickly become a farm favorite. He picks up new concepts quickly and is very sensible and thoughtful in his responses. Jasper is now ground driving, wearing English tack, and demonstrating a soft, steady demeanor in his ground work. We have begun ponying him out on the trails, and imagine that this is where he will excel under saddle in future. He is quite good with his footwork over ground poles, and has been completely unfazed by our obstacles. Jasper continues to be a very playful turn out pal, and is currently doing wonderfully out with fellow young Mustang Smokey, and Amos the mini mule. This is a lovely young horse who will make someone a great partner!

August 2026 update: Jasper is now being ridden at the walk, trot and canter and is gaining trail miles with a friend. He wears English or Western tack, and is learning about the bit and how to follow a feel on the rein for stopping and steering. Jasper loves the trails and happily either leads the way or follows, we’re sure he will be one who can hack out alone in future. He is a lovely mix of steady but also willing to go forward–overall we would say he’s a bit more ‘whoa’ then ‘go’ which could make him an ideal partner for younger riders in future. He is solid for all of the basics and is a clean slate ready to go in any direction. If you are interested in learning more about Jasper, please contact us.