He was imported to this country in 1995, aged four, as a potential dressage stallion.

The first thing he did wrong was not grow into being a big, beefy horse.

Aged five he was gelded and sold on at a much reduced price.

There are some gaps in his history between 5 and 8 but we know he underwent "overtraining" as a five year old. Double bridle, draw reins and lunge whip do seem a little excessive, especially all at the same time!

 

In 2004 Tim and Anne were examining and Tim was talking about a difficult horse at Ingestre that he couldn't get to work properly and he knew it was something to do with its dislike of saddles. What was he going to do?

Anne duly visited Ingestre and Peter was tried in a Soution treeless saddle, on the flat, over jumps, cross country and he was transformed.

At last he was rideable, still a little quirky, but he could now progress.

In August 2005 Peter arrived for my daughter Alice, the saddle arrived a few weeks later and Peter entered the third phase of his resurrection. His self confidence continues to grow and he has started SJ and Eventing. He will always be mentally scarred from his earlier abuse but he can now enjoy pain free work in his dressage saddle and pain free XC in his jumping saddle.
Yes, I had to buy TWO saddles in the end, but it is worth it to see not only Peter, but every other horse that Alice and I ride enjoying their work, without constriction and discomfort.

I am now busy trying to persuade the Scottish Highlands to become a "tree free" zone. Peter is a good ambassador, as the photograph shows.