Okapi, our pack pony,  bought as an unbroken, but very good-looking 13hh, four year old Poney Francais de Selle gelding (a small saddle horse, hardy and a good carrier). He is basically sweet-natured, but has an inbuilt inferiority complex after a lifetime of living with six towering Percherons. As a result he has felt the need to prove himself on occasion.

After excellent work from him carrying our baggage on the Santiago journey, we made the difficult decision that in the long term we would be more comfortable in riding with just our 2 lead horses and a much reduced load.

We  spent the winter and spring of 2005/6 bringing on his abilities as a great little riding pony and have reluctantly sold him to a French family with a young daughter  who is completely in love with him.

Strengths:

Ability to get fat on air. Within a week of arriving as an undernourished waif his stomach was barely clearing the ground. Sturdiness, he is an ideal pack pony but well able to carry us too.

 

Weaknesses:

Teenage tantrums and fitness. When we bought Okapi, he was still relatively young for such hard work, but he gave himself to the task 100%.