I was truely blessed to have come across an ad in the paper selling Dunny the same week the $ to purchase came around. She was just the color I had admired snce childhood-line backed dun with dark liver chestnut legs. The ad said she possesed an "eager attitude", just what I needed in a horse. I had little experience with horses at this point. We had donkeys growing up and I learned to ride on their short burro backs. And on occasion how to fall off. So when I was handed the leadrope at the stable she had been staying in for the prevous two months, I was a little concerned I was way over my head. But headstrong I am and also good with animals so the journey began. Many times I worried that I had gone too far, but between the many books I aquired and eventually a good bit of RFDtv watching I came to gentle this exuberant beast and can still count on one hand the occasions I have crashed on this horse. Mostly because she will not drop me, will, if possible, put herself in just the right position to catch me and on we go as if nothing happened. Dunny is now not only a wonderful mount ready to herd or search or rescue, but she also accompanies the herd as her horsie self. Dunny grew up within the herd and has many capricious habits, (loving the steep rocky hillsides and slides like any self respecting goat) but you can tell she is definately equine when she runs and plays. She has had several close friends among the goats her favorites being the big black Alpine herdsire, Bort, and a cross weather aptly nicknamed "Dunny's Buddy" who spent much time grazing around the gardens with her after squeezing under the goat pen gate. These days she enjoys the company of Chapo, a Quarterhorse/Mustang cross. And at five she is no longer a dun. Her line is all but dissolved from her back. She has been many colors but tends toward grey this summer. White is spreading also and her mane couldn't get much longer. She is a joy to ride, very light and engaged. Never seen a better goat herding horse.

Which brings me to why I saddled myself with an Arabian Quarterhorse. I wanted a smart horse, one that was engaged in activities. The hardiness and endurance possessed by these horses is perfect for our rough range. Their hard hooves are great for natural hoofcare and their sure footedness is indespensible. Arabians also eat less than even other horses their size, they also can carry more weight than other horses their size. The Quarterhorse on the other hand is a strong runner wose powerful hindquarters propell them faster than other horses in a sprint. They are large calm workers which have been used since the early days in the west to work cattle over broken country on long drives. The cross is increasing in popularity as the fiery Arab is tempered by the easy going Quarter. Likewise the endurance is sped up and the speed is sustained. Dunny is a very alert and active horse who would rather saddle up for work than pick up the last bits of hay.