Update to Make You Smile post#30

[JanWeber]

Looking for a tactful, experienced rider willing to make a commitment to bringing this horse back into work. Lyon is a 13 year-old 16.3H Swedish Warmblood gelding competed to 4th Level. He is sound physically, but was (seemingly) pushed too hard and has trust issues. He was donated to a college riding program which tried using him in a community beginner lesson program and it nearly undid him...kept in a 10'x 10' window-less stall, fed sweet feed and limited hay and water, very limited turnout. I took him home to give him a year off with plenty of turn-out and hay. He is a different horse now on the ground: curious, affectionate, enjoys your company. We've started him back into work slowly because he was so jealous watching the other horses work (slowly because he's also so damned FAT from his year off!). He will require a dressage rider who is kind, patient, willing to wait for results, and not intimidated by a big horse - I'd be willing to make this a permanent free lease for the right situation. Needs full day or full night turnout, little grain, lots of hay. Would like to keep him reasonably close and would take him back if needed.

[LD1129]

Do you have pics of him. He sounds lovely. Would he be able to show again when in shape? How long before he will be in shape to compete.

I have an appendix gelding from an auction that I do dressage with. He was diagnosed with navicular and is on/off sound. He will be staying with me forever but I do want a horse I can compete with. I only do local and am starting recognized shows under a trainer in region 1.

Right now they are in all day and night turnout and in winter just day turn out. Great dressage facility and trainer. I can PM you my farm website if you are interested.

[JanWeber]

I need to emphasize that it is not being "out of shape" that may delay or prevent his return to the show ring - it is because he was pushed WAY too hard and needs patience and a skilled, tactful rider to see if he CAN return to the show ring or if he's just going to be a SWB trail horse. If you're looking for something to compete and you have a timetable - he's not the horse for you. Our trainer, Marilyn Payne (S), gave my daughter a lesson on him and feels that he's definitely worth the time and effort to bring back. In my case, however, Daughter #1 is in college and has enough horses to ride - but she's paying his expenses at home since she is the one responsible for him being here; Daughter #2 rides him occasionally, but has 2-3 others to ride daily and is taking AP Calculus and AP Bio...

[LD1129]

Oh ok thanks for the info Jan! ignore my PM to you! I do want to compete so I hope you find him a wonderful home :yes:

[Sir's_Mom]

Man, I wish I had more time/money!! He sounds like the perfect horse for me! But as you've probably read on my other posts, I don't even have time for the ones I have!! Good Luck with him, he's lucky to have fallen into your hands!!

[PiaffePlease]

I wish you werent so far away. Im looking for a dressage project horse and dont plan on showing anytime soon because my area is dressage-less.

[throwurheart]

What happens if you try to show him? I guess I'm reading into this that he blows up or is dangerous? That worries me because the blowing up could happen at other times too.

Showing is not important to me, but working my way *correctly* up the levels is. He sounds lovely, and perfect for my situation.

[JanWeber]

His response to being pushed is rearing and backing up. My daughter can walk and trot him in a field, but it takes a half hour of rearing to get him into a dressage arena. She also shows 3rd level and can't get him to canter. He's not a schoolmaster - he was trained and competed to 4th level (imported by Gunnar Ostergaard in 2000) and really wants a rider who knows what they're doing and aren't looking for him to teach them. That having been said, my older daughter rode him often when he was up at school and taught dressage lessons on him to her more advanced dressage riders. His ground manners are quite good (he accepts appropriate discipline for getting out of line - pulling on the leadrope when turned out, or lifting a hind leg when you groom an "unacceptable" spot...) I don't think he's dangerous - I think he was pushed too hard as a high-level dressage mount and wasn't necessarily managed in accordance to his needs but rather what was dictated by a high-intensity show schedule.

[ChildrensHorse]

do you know if he jumps?

[JanWeber]

He absolutely does not jump. We've tried - he just crashes through the fences. It's not an eyesight issue - I think the desire/ability to jump was just bred out of him.

[throwurheart]

Poor guy, sounds like he has serious trust issues, as you say. Probably not for me at this time, but good luck with him!

[~~Goldielox~~]

I was curious if you had any pix of him. I am NOT in any hurry to get back into showing. I lost my long-time mare, 2 years ago. Long time meaning 23 years together. I do E-V-E-N-T-U-A-L-L-Y want to get back into showing...key word eventually. I do mostly hunter however where I am with my current horse, the barn owner does it all. My mare I had, did have 3rd level in her, but that was because back in the late 80's when the big equi was ALWAYS filled with 20-30 people, you needed to have some dressage if you wanted to place.

[Seven]

Maybe he'd rather be a hill-topping fox hunter?

Hill-topping doesn't jump - but even so, many hunts have go-arounds their jumps, so he could perhaps do second flight too if he liked it. If he can handle the mental aspect of it (standing relatively quietly after galloping) being out in the fields and woods with other horses might give him a good change of attitude about working with people. The green hunt horses do learn a lot from watching each other and you'd have the self preservation element working in your favor (the field is galloping off...not too many horses will stay behind and leave themselves open to predators).

Might be a good choice for a horse with a sour attitude and doesn't canter.

[JanWeber]

He DOES canter (and canter pirouettes) - just not everyone can get him to do them! Not involved with foxhunting people - is he someone you'd be interested in hunting yourself?

[JanWeber]

Someone is coming to spend a few days with us in the next week or two to get to know Lyon and see if they are a good match. I have high hopes - but if it doesn't work out for any reason, I'll re-post. Thanks to everyone who responded.

[fuzzybluecloud]

Is Lyon still available??? Competent dressage rider unable to school much past 2nd Level due to my OTTBs lack of lateral movement. Cant afford to buy a nice upper level warmblood, but have the patience and all the time in the world to ease a talented horse back into work while slowly unfrying his braincells. Showing is of now big concern to me. If I can I will and if I cant thats fine too. If hes still available would you mind sending a pic to me? Also how is his health...any arthitis or other health problems, special shoes, supplements??

[JanWeber]

I have someone coming to spend a few days with us getting to know Lyon in the next few weeks - if that doesn't work out, I'll repost. His health is great - no special ANYTHING. At the moment, he's barefoot, and gets a handful of Ultium twice a day and free choice hay. Where are you located?

[dressageandtrailrider]

Let me know if it doesn't work out. I would be interested in a free lease situation in VA. Just want to trail ride around and take a lesson every other week. Current horse injured both stifles in the pasture and is pasture/very light riding sound. Dressage is totally out for him.

[Catersun]

Just wanted to say Good Luck placing him, he sounds like a sweet guy who needs a his own special person. I have one like that. :-) They are great once you are theirs! Best wishes to Lyon!

[fuzzybluecloud]

Im located in South Jersey...Mays Landing...my horses are kept at a boarding facility in Egg Harbor. I feed Ultium as well, and are on a 5 week trim cycle in an attempt to keep them barefoot. They are stalled at night and turned out with one or two other horses (all geldings) during the day. We have a large outdoor arena as well as an indoor, and acres of wooded trails that are drug and cleared daily. Please keep me in mind if the current situation doesnt work out for him.

[JanWeber]

Hi - fuzzybluecloud - please re-read my comments about what this horse needs. I would NOT put him in a boarding environment since he can be intimidating in a stall - he needs hands-on, eyes-on consistent care from a knowledgeable owner. First time I entered his stall with a muck fork, he threw himself backwards so hard the wall shook when he hit it. Think someone hit him in his stall? Doubt it was the owner - many times "barn help" doesn't have the time or training to manage difficult behaviors - they "get after him...".

[fuzzybluecloud]

Sorry:( Didnt see that info in your comments....my horses are at a boarding facility, however...guess I shouldve mentioned this...it is 10 minutes from my house and Im there every day to feed my horses myself as they eat 3xs each day and the others do not. I also muck my own stalls as well. The 2 people that are they to help only do AM feeds and turnout. The one who works mon-fri is late 40's and manages another farm down the street. She has taken several abused horses under her wing and brought them around with kindness and patience. The other is 21 and has her own farm of several horses. She just helps out for extra money to be able to show. No one else has contact with the horses. My 5 yr old came to me last year as an abused 16.2hh OTTB stallion with a fractured cannon bone. You couldnt get near him without him kicking out or lunging at you and definately couldnt get close enough to his head to bridle or halter him. Now hes healed 100%, rides walk trot canter w/ or w/out saddle, lets children lead him with his head on the ground...he even trusts me enough to let me sit under his belly. He is leaving at the end of October to live in the breed showcase barn at the KY Horse Park, which is why I'll have room for another horse.

[JanWeber]

This sounds good - if the woman coming down this weekend isn't a good match, I'll PM you.

[Dressage4Fun]

I SO wish I was closer!! LOL!! I would hide him in my blankie and take him home!!

[fuzzybluecloud]

Thanks Jan!! Let me know how it goes!!

[JanWeber]

Lyon and his (prospective) new mom got on spectacularly. She's coming back next weekend to spend some more time with him, but we're all excited that it seems to be a very good match.

[Kate66]

Good luck. I hope the match works well!

[JanWeber]

Lyon went happily to his new home today. He bonded quickly with his new mom - was happy to see her return this weekend and partnered with her quite readily. I'll miss him - but it was time for him to have a life besides that of a pasture ornament!

[ctanner]

That's fabulous!Congratulations,and good for you for finding a good home and partner for him.

[JanWeber]

Anyone remember the Swedish gelding Lyon I posted for free lease last fall? He went to a wonderful rider in New Hampshire who drove down here to meet him and returned the following weekend to ride him. Despite his (many) trust issues, they bonded immediately. I did not EVER see this horse showing again - too fried by being pushed too hard as an upper-level horse. Going into any ring (home or not) was preceded by a half hour of rearing... Her niece (she is now pregnant and not riding for a while) SHOWED him yesterday at Training Level and it was a wonderful experience for them both. He was fabulous and I wanted to share with both Give-Awayers and Give-Aways-Takers how great it is when it works out.

[dawglover]

:D:D:D
What a happy update!

[Jleegriffith]

That is wonderful news. Any pictures?

[tweeter]

I love hearing good news first thing in the morning :)

Thanks for sharing, I'm so happy for all of you.

[Jessi P]

Yeay!!!:yes::yes::D:yes::yes:

[FlashGordon]

Jan, I remember your thread well and it is fantastic to hear that things have turned out so positively! Congrats to you for finding him "his" person!

[saxony]

My sister was the lucky recipient of this horse and my 14 year old daughter is now his current rider. It was a wonderful day for all of us. Katie was High Point Champion with a 72.5 and my other daughter, Kristen ON ANOTHER COTH GIVEAWAY ALUMNI was Reserve High Point Champion with a 72. While Lyon is not completely out of the woods yet mentally, he is well on his way. He is living a very relaxing life with his steady-eddy buddy, Felix who has given him so much confidence. Jan and her daughters did the not-so-glamorous work of letting him down for a whole year with no stress and green pastures so really we owe a debt of gratitude to them. Once my sister has her baby in August I imagine we will have to witness a nasty thumb-wrestling match to see who gets to continue riding him, LOL.

[Moderator 1]

We combined JanWeber's update with the original thread to give everyone easy reference to the back story.

Congrats! :D

[JanWeber]

saxony - Thanks for the kind words. I should add that my husband Bob played a key role in bringing Lyon back. As the ONLY one of us Lyon had never seen in boots and breeches, Lyon trusted him even more than he trusted us... I'd often go in the barn and find Bob scratching Lyon's ears and telling him what a handsome horse he is!

[Halt At X]

What a great ending!

I don't think I was a member here yet when you first posted about him- I owuld have snatched him right up!

I am happy that he is learning that riding isn't so bad :)

[anuphillbattle]

Hooray for those who take the time to find the right home and care enough to make it happen. Also, to those who make the time to help the mentally or physically 'damaged' horses to get over their issues. There are wonderful horses with great capabilities - just needing the right situation.

LOVE THESE HAPPY SUCCESS STORIES!! :D:D:D:D

[PiaffePlease]

thats awesome!!! Im glad everything worked out

[ctanner]

That's great!Happy for everyone involved!