Bomb Proof

You've probably already noticed that there are lots of horses for sale right now. And alot of them are advertised as 'bomb proof'. Craigslist and other horse for sale sites are loaded with ads of 'bomb proof' or 'kid safe/husband safe' horses....some of which look like they havent seen a brush or farrier in months. Bomb Proof? Doubt it! But it did get me to thinking...what exactly is 'bomb proof'??? And, better yet, why do some really good horses get a bad reputation after one incident?

I've had horses for almost 40 years now and I've seen some really, really well trained horses, but in any given situation, I think these horses could've easily come un-trained! Bomb Proof...sounds good on paper, but in reality, I dont think so.

I owned this one horse...he was a gorgeous, aged gelding and was super well trained...he was what a lot of folks would classify as a real 'baby-sitter'...even to me, this horse was as close to 'bomb-proof' as I'd ever seen. One late summer day on a leisurely trail ride a horse fly the size of a hummingbird got after us.....I swung and swatted, but this was a very persistent horse fly....and it had a single minded target in mind - my horses rear.

You've probably already guessed what happened next...the fly came in for its landing and my horses rear came about a foot off the ground, considerable tail swinging and head tossing accompanied...then I smacked the fly and BOOM! it was over, quick as that, nothing unusual in my opinion....but to some of the riders that were present that day my well-trained horse 'bucked' with me. Now most likely, if my horse hadnt been so well-trained the incident would'nt have caused a second glance; but because he was so well trained, the expectations regarding his behavior were completely different.

Word games...everyone has their own set of beliefs and expectations. That is why I could never advertise a horse as bomb proof...especially a 3YO ,but that is the way this one is described in this craigslist ad.

"Jesse is a registered 3 year old bay gelding. His registered name is "*******" but is affectionately known as Jesse. He comes from the Jesse James bloodline. He is 14.3 hands tall and can be ridden by anyone. He is considered a family horse and is completely bomb proof. He can be bathed, clipped, doctored, loaded, unloaded, and saddled without any trouble. He has been used to work cows and does a great job. He would make a great roping horse and is basically an all around prospect. He has been taken on trail rides and just ridden in the pasture by my 4 year old niece and he does really well. While on the trail ride our friend had him cross the river and he had no problems with crossing the water or standing in it. She also could stand up on him and he didn't move. I currently don't have those pictures but hope to have them up on our website soon, on Jesse's page, look for website link at bottom of page. He can be caught anywhere, will just walk right up to you to be petted and is super friendly. He would make a great addition to your home for the kids or the husband, you just can't go wrong with this horse. I don't like to say kid safe because some feel that means they can just turn the kids loose on the horse by themselves, but this time I don't mind. My 4 year old niece rides him by herself all the time while we stand outside the pens and she will tap him with a stick and he does absolutely nothing. Jesse is completely worth every penny and an outstanding horse."

This looks like it is a really nice horse. He is obviously cared for, groomed and well fed...and the folks have spent time with him - he could very well be a 'needle in a haystack' and be super well trained for his age....but 'Bomb-proof 3YO' is an oxymoron if I've ever heard one.