Major Spin has all the presence, movement, and smarts to go right on up the levels in dressage. He also has one of those classic “good brains” that means he could pack around at the Intro or Training levels quite happily. While I think he’d love and succeed at a dressage life, I would put money on his ability to fox hunt and to look damn good while doing so as well.
Spin is probably the only true rescue in my barn. I don’t use that word lightly. He’s a huge, smart, lump-headed goober who needs a job that accommodates a pretty special knee. Otherwise, I’d be eventing this horse up through the ULs.
Spin’s life on the track was not always easy, and he fell into some less-than-optimal hands, who ignored what should have been treated. Slab fracture, chip, and arthritis. Spin became Stall 13’s* flagship horse and yet, after we rested him for a few months, he is sound and hard at work perfecting his dressage. Out of an abundance of caution, I have not jumped him.
Spin has been to a few dressage shows, including one recognized venture – all of which has gone great. He hauls like a pro, hangs out well and is happy to take it all in and make GOOD decisions. He’s great in a warmup arena with all shapes and sizes and directions of horses. And he is as talented and smart heading down center line as he is training for it at home.
Spin is good for the vet and farrier (though understandably, he’s not a huge fan of folks messing with his knee), good on crossties, good in a herd, and generally just a smart, sensible, dude.
Spin would be appropriate for a good-riding amateur to bring along, but in the right program he’d also be able to handle green-bean humans. Spin has confidently and carefully carried my nervous friends, helped to reinstall confidence in Thoroughbreds and handled trials, lessons, and rides by all of my working students with ease.
He's not a total packer yet… but he might just get there.
*Spin is available for adoption through Stall 13, a New York based non-profit organization (www.stall13.org) that specializes in challenging case horses like himself. We’re hoping that by showing that a horse like Spin can recover and make it to the Makeover and beyond, we can help open avenues for other tough-to-heal horses and prove the notion that one should always “ride the horse, not the x-rays.” Reach out for more information.
Current Stage of Development: Schooling: some local competition/off-farm mileage
Shows potential for: Amateur Friendly, Dressage, Foxhunting, Junior Friendly, Trail
Any previously known injuries? Other: Slab fracture of the knee, chip, arthritis. He's sound on it and going well. We have radiographs ready to share
Any vettings available? No
Located In: Lansing , NY
Contact Name: Aubrey Graham with Kivu Sporthorses & Training, LLC
Contact Phone: 404-509-4655
Contact Email: aubreygraham@gmail.com
Type of Listing: Adoption
Adoption Fee: $4000 (Negotiable)
Available for Trial? Potentially
Adoption/Purchase Process: We will ensure that Spin and the adopter are a good fit through a conversation and potential trial ride. Then there is a short adoption application to fill out and adoption contract to sign. The horse may be resold but the contract must follow him to continue to provide him a safe landing if needed.