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Breed: Mustang Gender: Gelding Age: 10 Height: 15.0hh Color: Chestnut Disciplines: Other, Companion, Trail Riding, Prospect for Any Discipline Adoption fee: $3,000 Location: Heart of Phoenix — Shoals, WV PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION ADOPTION FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF A HORSE IS IN TRAINING. PLEASE INQUIRE FOR MOST RECENT FEES Name: Rojo Foal Date: 2016 Breed: Mustang Color: chestnut Gender: gelding Height: 15 HH Est. Rojo is in training with Maribeth Peppler. Follow his progress at #hopteamrojo. From his first trainer 7/6/26 Second Required Post for #HOPteamRojo I could go on and on and on about how wonderful this guy is and what a joy he’s been to bring along. He is truly a horse that I genuinely look forward to working with each day. Rojo-Gregory continues to greet every new challenge with a “let’s give ‘er a shot” attitude, occasionally needing some kind reassurance or some confidence from his handler. Who has seen the video of me shooting a bow over his back? For this required post, I really wanted to showcase how well he’s coming along under saddle. Rojo is continuing to learn softness, but makes strides and grows his education daily. His gaits are incredibly comfortable to ride, and he’s relatively good at staying consistent without much rider help. Rojo tends to err on the side of “lazy”, but has learned that when his rider asks for forward, it does truly mean to go forward. He doesn’t put up a protest, and he has a great “whoa” transition. (Brakes are important to me, so that makes me happy, lol). So what are my upcoming plans with Rojo? * fine-tuning our transitions; as mentioned above, Rojo can be a little lazy … meaning sometimes asking him to trot requires more leg than I’d like, lol. * More canter work! I’ve only cantered him under saddle once, and that was today, so this is obviously something to work on * Continuing to progress with lateral movements under saddle * Out-of-arena work! Both in-hand and under saddle. I’m hoping to take him for his first trail ride soon! * Adventures! I’d really like to get him off of our property, and I’m in the works of scheduling a field trip to one of my favorite places! (Cough Double C Farm Cough) * Exposure to other people - Rojo is great with everyone so I’m sure this won’t be an issue, but I’d like to start bringing him out to our lesson barn and having our volunteers brush him and play with him! I truly can’t say enough good things about this horse. The past 30+ days have been nothing but a joy getting to know him and getting to work with him. He meets every single day with a “can-do” attitude and genuinely enjoys people. June update from trainer So - what are Rojo’s current strengths? good with kids • in fact, he loves our three-year-old son and regularly comes when he calls him. Rojo LOVES people standing in the crossties, single tying and ground tying • if you tell him “stand”, this boy won’t move his feet regardless of where you park him standing to be brushed and tacked up • English or western, crossties or not, he’s a breeze to tack up. And he LOVES to be brushed. catching in the field • in fact - he almost always comes to you, no “catching” needed, and usually with a sweet nicker plays well with others, even in a mixed herd of mares and geldings • he went right into the herd like he’s been here his entire life, no drama whatsoever obstacles! • he’ll try anything if you are a firm but fair leader lunging walk/trot/canter both directions • still a little more unbalanced when tracking to the right - but is getting better with every session. And, is willing to do it! basic lateral movements in-hand • forehand & haunch turns, “leg” yields and the beginnings of sidepassing! leads from both sides at a walk & trot fly sprays all over picks up all four feet accepts a snaffle bit And what does Rojo need work with? riding! • I’ve been taking the slow & steady approach with Rojo, so he’s only had a few sits and one “ride”. He is more than willing, and as I start pushing more, I’m sure he’ll sail right along. ground driving • while he can finally tolerate ropes around his haunches and touching his hind legs, the concept of “driving” is still very confusing to him. He doesn’t do anything naughty … he just gets confused lol. standing for the farrier • I only have one session to base this off of - but I’m including it in the “struggle” list because he didn’t receive an A+ score for his trim … it was more of a B. flexion & softening • only including this because this n training never truly ends lol - I’ll be working on flexion and softness with every single horse forever taking oral pastes • he no longer casually walks backwards when he sees a tube coming (lol), but he makes it known he doesn’t enjoy it by turning away from you. A gentle “nope, you do actually need this” and he stands and accepts it… but doesn’t like it lol trailer loading • only including this because I haven’t practiced it yet - but I will say, when I picked him up in WV, he led right up to and loaded into our ramp-load slant trailer just fine I really had to think hard to come up with “struggles” for rojo because honestly, he’s coming along wonderfully. I don’t actually consider anything a true struggle with him, because he accepts the training and suggestions I give him and truly works to improve. Though he’s spent a lot of years being able to do “whatever he wants”, he’s very eager to please and works hard to find the right answers. One thing that I’ve noticed about him is that when he truly doesn’t want to do something (ie: a new obstacle, etc), if you remain calm and fair but firm with him, he figures out very quickly what he’s supposed to do. He seems to be a horse that does need a leader - if it’s let up to him, he would rather stand around and get pet all day, and not actually work lol. However, once he has the firm boundary in place, he’s willing to do whatever it is that you’re asking of him … it’s almost like he says “oops, ok, sorry, didn’t mean that”. Horses are typically located in the Appalachian area, but please inquire about a horse's specific location when you apply! We are looking to adopt to safe homes. A history of good horsemanship, the ability to provide sufficient care with good vet, farrier and peer references are important. If you are a first-time horse owner, we will require you to board at a facility for the first year while you learn more about care. We encourage everyone to take advantage of riding lessons. Foal adoptions require previous, established experience with youngsters. Our adoption process makes sure you get the right horse for you – it is a no-fail process for finding the right match. Apply at https://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue is a rescue; this horse is for adoption, not for sale. Message Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue here on tacktack to ask about ROJO and the adoption process. Rescue website: http://www.wvhorserescue.org Original listing on My Right Horse: https://www.myrighthorse.org/available-horses/gelding-mustang-from-shoals-rojo