I don't have a clue about the mare's background as she belongs to my aunt (she used to have a wild game farm in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta but now only has some deer and horses around, plus some rabbits and such). I don't think she's anything "special" - just a horse of unknown breed. When I was visiting about ten or twelve years ago, though, they had quarter horses, a couple of Appaloosas, a Palomino, about six Thoroughbreds, and about another dozen or so mixed breeds. We all went out riding for an afternoon and had a ball. My saddle did manage to come loose and start to slip under the horse (we were galloping after some deer), about which time I decided it was safer to jump than get caught up in the stirrups or else ride my horse upside down. I landed in some nettles, too! Everyone had a good laugh at me.

That mare was rather antsy as she wanted to get back with the others. Once I rubbed her nose for a while, she eased up a bit but she still wanted to be back with the herd. She nearly crushed my uncle against the car a few times, not to mention nearly broke his foot.

Sounds like you have a decent comprimise between suburbia and and a rural area. Bummer about losing access to trails, though. We have a lot around here where you could take a horse. My wife dearly wants one but unfortunately I'm the only one that seems to realize how much work they are (and the expense).

 

Is it me or is that horse looking alittle smug after frightening the kid?

 

I think she was definitely smug - notice the slightly lowered left eyelid, indicating the wink of a truly cool horse. Nothing more rewarding than being the baddest horse on the block.