How many times have you been asked about your horse, “what do you want to do with him?”, “What are you two trying to accomplish?”, “what will his job be?”.

I recently purchased a 4-year-old Mustang, who I named Pablo, in July. And when I did, everyone started asking me those questions. Well, shoot. My whole life I have wanted a green mustang…so just having him was already a LIFE tile for me. But it got me thinking, I really did have a lot of things I wanted to do with him, aside from having a lifelong adventure partner. So I decided to write my “Pablo Bucket List”. Disclaimer: some of these I have already accomplished, because I got lucky with this guy- and some I may never accomplish. But it’s been so fun to write them down, and check them off as I go!

1. Trust him on a trail alone at the walk, trot, and canter
I started small. He had been ridden when I got him, but not too much. I really enjoy riding alone in the woods, with my Vizsla, setting my own pace. This was an easy goal to check off, as Pablo seems to love exploring almost as much as I do!

2. Trust him to take care of my husband
I am blessed to be married to a non-horsey good sport. (Although, he would tell you these days, that he’s getting pretty comfortable in the saddle.) My goal for Pablo was to be able to trust him to take care of my better half on a trail ride, so that my husband can enjoy our new addition to the family as much as I do! Again, easy, once he trusted us, and knew what his job was! (And he takes it very seriously!)

3. Take him swimming.
Since I got him in July, this was a must. I had him in the water in the first month. (Not without some blood, sweat, and tears- mind you!) Now he drags me to the pond on our trail rides, even on these cooler Fall days when I have no interest in getting my feet wet. Careful what you wish for!

4. Ride him to all of the horse-friendly local places that I can think of.
I am lucky enough to live in a smaller town, and have some awesome friends who’s help I enlisted for this goal, as riding on the roads (always obeying traffic rules, of course), is something best always done with a buddy. This one I have kind of left open ended, as the seasons change, I have more places to ride him. So far, we can scratch off the local Market, Ice Cream Shop, and Winery!

5. Buy a trailer, and have him self load.
This one I am still working on! I have been saving my pennies, and bought “new to me” trailer only a few weeks ago. I can get him on it for our adventures, but I would definitely not say he “self loads” as of yet. I actually have it out in his field at the moment, and he eats his meals in it, just to get him a little more comfortable, and hopefully so that he starts to love it as much as I do!

6. Take him on a competitive endurance ride.
I have been working up to this one slowly, as when I got him, he was pretty underweight and under-muscled. I hope this fall to be able to take him on his first 15- 20 miler!

7. Take him on an overnight camping trip.
So far, we’ve ventured to a friends farm for the weekend, about 2 hours away, where we rode her amazing trails, and Pablo stayed out in her field overnight. It was great for him to see a new farm, and spend some time in a different environment with new horsey friends. However, I stayed in her beautiful Farmhouse, so I am not quite ready to scratch this one off yet. I think we may have gone more “glamping” than camping!

8. Go fox hunting
Pablo is a little guy, probably just 14 hands, but he’s incredibly fun, and will jump anything you point him at. I turn 30 in the **too near** future, and I am going to try to give this to myself as a birthday gift!

9. Bring him home, and give him a Mustang brother or sister.
This one is still a work in progress, and may always be. Where I live, farms and open land are scarce. I have him at the most wonderful boarding barn 10 minutes from my house, which my friend owns and runs, but I dream of looking out my window while drinking my coffee, and seeing my two happy, healthy, horses having their breakfast too.

This is where my list stands as of today. I am constantly adding to it, tweaking it, and crossing things off. But I think that is half the fun! I can’t wait until it is many, many, pages long. I hope I have inspired you to put a pen to paper, or even just a foot in the stirrup, and get started on your own adventures.