How do you replace the perfect horse? This was the question facing me when my elderly quarter horse received a retirement offer that was too good to refuse. I am nearing retirement myself, so I was looking for a new partner who would not only be fun to ride, but one who would take good care of me. Buying a new horse is a scary proposition. I was particularly aware of the potential hazards because of several friends' recent unhappy purchases. I'd heard about the Fun-E-Farm horses from a friend who had done some horse shopping of her own, and so I decided to take a closer look. Humm, yes, impressive test ride, cute horse, nice mover, and knowledgeable sales people (Terry). It didn't hurt to see the crew of girls hopping on and off the mountain horses bareback. Terry made a good initial match, and followed up with advice and instruction. Since I was also able to talk to some borders at the Fun-E-Farm who had known Sky Hawk, aka Brew, for a long time, and to meet the previous owner, I felt that I was being presented with a true picture of the horse before I decided to purchase him. I really appreciated that kind of honesty, which often seems to be rare in the horse world. I've had Brew, a big, sturdy sorrel, for about a year now, long enough for the two of us to get to start to get to know each other. Brew has a merry, sometime mischievous, twinkle in his eye, and a disposition to match. As someone remarked, He looks like a Dr. Seuss character.? All too true; he is the Cat in the Hat. There have been some minor glitches along the way, probably due to my ignorance of how to ride gaited horses. (Not enough lessons with Terry.) But the gait itself is wonderful! I love it. And it turns out that Brew has an equally nice canter. I don't feel stiff and sore after I ride. The way this horse moves seems to be good for my arthritis. I like that Brew had been well trained to do things like to stand very still while being mounted, (a real plus for not so agile seniors), and to pick up his feet, etc. I know I can trust his sure-footedness while going down slippery hills and while riding on rocky trails. He does water! And mud. Calmly and without hesitation. As sort of an added bonus, I have recently discovered that he is very responsive and fun to ride in the ring too. Because of his curious, challenging nature Brew will never be boring. In buying a mountain horse from the Fun-E-Farm, I found a pleasure horse that is a pleasure to own and to ride.