While Darla is ready to leave the nest and embark on her next big adventure alongside a lucky adopter, we are happily enjoying the time we still get to spend alongside this special girl. Kaya M, Darla’s primary rider, has been putting in a lot of work to prepare this darling creature for her forever home, and while you can read what Kaya herself has written about Darla on her page, it’s clear from Kaya’s tone and expression whenever she’s around her how much of an impact this sweet mare has made on her. These days, Darla is riding outside of a roundpen, and even outside of a walled arena — going for walks on the trails and around the property, and moving out in the wide open space of our big outdoor arena. Kaya and Darla have been spending a lot of time working on the soft feel in the walk, trot, and lope, as well as some more advanced moves like leg yields.

Darla is a sensitive mare, which is perhaps not as broadly appealing as a goofy gelding-type, but she has a ton to offer as a horse who’s ready to go today, as well as one who can be taken far and wide in the future.