Get ready to fall in love this season, with Mara.

This breathtaking, 11-year-old Azteca mare is looking for her special someone. Her perfect match would want go on lots of trail adventures, do some obstacles, and maybe dabble in working equitation or ranch trail. Actually, it really doesn’t matter to Mara what you want to do as long as you treat her kindly, and maybe even dote on her a little. Standing at 14.3H, Mara feels much larger and can easily support a larger-sized human. Despite what some might consider her short stature, she wears warmblood size halters, bridles and fly masks, and before you ask, no, she’s not fat, but she is a little out of shape from having a baby and then taking on an orphaned foal a few years ago.

An absolute angel on the ground, Mara will ground tie anywhere, for as long as you would like. I’ve even left her loose, half tacked up, cinch hanging, so I could go to the bathroom (hey, you gotta go when you gotta go) and have come back to her in the exact same spot. She ties too, wherever and however you would like, for as long as you like, standing like a statue, patiently waiting for her turn to be loved on. Mara will continue to stand perfectly still while you do anything to her: bathe, spray, clip, dust her off with a leaf blower, anything. I don’t have children but what I do have is zero qualms about my best friend’s, new to horses 5yr son crawling around underneath Mara whilst I “chase” him with the leaf blower as I’m grooming her. Did I mention Mara adores grooming sessions? I dare you to find a sweeter horse to love on. She is also perfect for the vet, farrier, dentistry, shots, deworming, etc. Mara even hops right in the trailer on her own! There is not a mean bone in this horses body and she will do whatever you want as long as you are kind and she can be with you and maybe even get a cookie every once in a while.

In the arena, Mara boasts a solid w/t/c with good stop and back up and has some fancy body control. She can leg yield, has a baby spin, can turn on the forehand and haunches, and side pass. She can slow herself down to give you a nice little jog and lope, or pick it up the pace to an extended trot and ground covering canter. She prefers to work off your seat and leg and appreciates a rider with soft hands and a balanced seat. Mara has beautiful movement with gaits that are as smooth as glass. She truly is the perfect blend of Woah and Go. Mara willingly goes over every single obstacle I’ve ever thrown at her without qualm or concern, and I have A LOT of obstacles. She loves being out on the trail and doesn’t care about bikes, dogs, strollers, or any of those things. She will go out alone, plod alone in the back, or take the lead. Horses can leave her and she will stay steady. I’ve ridden her English and Western, and while she will happily go both ways, I have noticed she has a slight preference for my dressage saddle over my cow horse saddle. I mean, if I were trying to get back in shape and someone asked me if I wanted to go on a hike with a 10lb backpack or a 45lb one, I know what I would pick!

With all that Mara has going on, she does need a calm, confident person. She is very empathic and cares a lot more about your emotions than many other horses. She would make an amazing therapy horse. Mara also needs a solid rider and is not for beginners. If she is confused, bored, or thinks you’ve asked her to do something in a rude way (like too quickly or too hard,) Mara can get heavy in the bridle and root. We obviously have been working on this and she gets softer with every ride, but I suspect that if her new person wasn’t in control of their aids, the habit might return. For that reason alone, Mara also would benefit from some consistency. I did hop right on her after a 3yr+ break and she was totally safe, but she wasn’t thrilled about the situation at first. She didn’t do nothing bad or dangerous, she was just heavy and resistant trying to get back to the mounting block or gate. Now, after just a month of working 4 days a week, she runs to meet me at the gate for our special time, will slide over to pick me up as soon as I step on the mounting block, and ride for as long as I want.

Mara is utd on vaccines, including strangles, has large, strong, bare feet that are trimmed regularly, and is ready to meet her person. She is due for dentals in December. Mara will only be sold with a right of first refusal and referrals will be required. Proudly shown by De Frates Horsemanship.

Pre-purchase exams welcomed at buyers expense. Seller can help arrange transportation, again, at buyers expense.

See more photos and videos (riding videos coming soon): https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0qGf693ZGsl46X