Our Horses: Beryl
Acorn, Aspen, Athena, Beryl, Blackhawk, Cedar, Chaparral, Daisy, Everest, First Star, Hickory, Honey Girl, Jade, Jasper, Joyee, Juniper, Navajo, Onyx, Pearl, Pepper, Pinon, Raven, Sapphire, Sequoia, Springtime, Starbright, Teak, Teton, Tiger Eye, Topaz, Vaquero, Wild Sweet William, and Zoey
Beryl, adopted in 2002, is kin to Jade and Pearl from the Antelope Herd near Wendover, Utah. A chestnut with "chrome", blaze face, flaxen mane and tail, and a white sock. Beryl also has a heart shape on his forehead that tells his story.
Beryl has long legs and a leaner body than his girlfriends, and seems to have a slowed-down growth pattern due to the distemper. However, his constant pranks, and playfulness hasn't been arrested. He can rear, run, and play "nip-face" all day, which is probably why he is thinner. The girls have moderate tolerance for his hyper-activity, and Beryl soon tires so off he gallops to the others. Often he is greeted with a bite and kick.
When the horse trailer arrives at the ranch and the back door is left open, Beryl leads the "gems" (Jade,Pearl and Jasper) into the trailer. They walk in and out amusing themselves while we are catching other horses. Their communication is clear: We are ready!
2009 Update:
Beryl, Jade, Jasper and Pearl participated in our Windhorse Ground Work Classes. Laurie Reef chose Beryl to work with. It was "love at first sight" for Beryl and Laurie. They worked together in our Salt Lake classes, as well as classes at Kayenta Korrals. In 2007, Laurie and her husband, Jim, adopted Beryl. He gets along fine with his horse run mates, but his favorite friend is a pigmy goat who he eats with and lets sleep on him.
Beryl has spent a month for the last two summers at Brighton Meadows Equestrian Center. It is his summer camp to continue his training. He loves to jump, has a stunning canter and is doing great under saddle.
2010 Update:
Beryl's owner became chronically ill and is unable to continue with his training, so we have Beryl back. He is an incredible partner for our youth-at-risk programs. He also partners with participants in our M.E.E.T The Mustangs Program in Southern Utah. He has definitely won the hearts of the participants and we love having him back with us.
He is very talented at jumping barrels in a round pen and when he is turned out goes over the the jumps in the arena just for fun. Because we try to fit the horse with the job they love, we are working on getting him ready to be a jumper. Our staff member, Linsay Collins, rode him at our Salt Lake facility, and in the fall we brought him to Kayenta Korrals so that Josie could connect with him and they could work on jumping together.
Although he misses Laurie and his goat pals, he has a crush on many of the mares and loves taking Pinon to task, much as he was taken to task when he was his age. He seems to love being with the other gems ( Pearl, Jade, Jasper), especially now that he is older and much bigger. Pearl still gives him the ears every chance she gets, but that sibling stuff is to be expected. His best buddy, Jasper, is thrilled to have him back to ward off the cranky girls.
