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. 

With Jasper, we are working on all the basics such as standing for grooming and the farrier, wearing a blanket, an introduction to our training tools, and backing, basic yields, and circling in hand. We are also incorporating liberty work in the round pen. This is a very cool little guy, who is going to make someone a super fun partner in future! We are very excited to be a part of his journey, and will be sure to post further updates as they become available. 

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!