I've got her to ride (she came off of a TN walking mare). Much more sure-footed than a horse, much better endurance, more disease resistant, and generally a lot smarter. People still log with them, pull wagons, farm etc. I hope to get mine broke for shooting a bow off her back for hog hunting.

She's a 1,200 lb teddy bear--she'd sit in my lap and watch t.v. with me if I'd let her. They get in your blood, kinda' like traditional bows. Very much a challenge, but once you get an understanding it's a very rewarding experience.

She threw me once, but it was my fault. I had bought a really cheap saddle and had been riding her off and on all day. She kept trying to tell me something was wrong, but I wouldn't listen--I wrote it off as being "stubborn". Finally, when she had taken all the pain in her kidneys she could stand, she launched me. It was the saddle. Since then I've learned a lot, got a proper saddle (a mule saddle--there is a difference), and am working with her in the round pen before we go on any more extended rides. She's got more personality than any horse I've ever seen, and more than a lot of people I know.