I did not expect to like this horse as much as I do, but man, do I ever! Clear to Here ("Hero") is a big-bodied 9YO gelding standing just under 17 hands who just wants to be your bud.

Hero is my favorite type of horse to ride and be around. In the arena Hero is self-propelled (but not “rush-y" or overly strong) and happily transitions through the walk, trot and canter in both directions, with simple changes. He does have a tendency to hang on the rider’s hands at the canter if you let him (which is completely understandable for a horse with his size and body type) but is quite responsive to leg, seat and rein cues to bring his front end up and engage from behind.

Hero has been perfecting his flatwork, working on suppleness and simple lateral movements, as well as trot/canter poles, cavaletti, small jumps and natural obstacles. He hacks around the farm on the buckle alone or in a group.

He came to me from connections that bred, raised and raced him and who love him dearly. He won brilliantly first time out as a 3YO, but bowed his tendon soon after. He was given careful rehab and ample time off, then brought back as a 4YO and reinjured the tendon.

Knowing racing was no longer in his future, his owner conscientiously rehabbed him, then gave him the best thing for this type of injury – Mother Nature and Father Time. After having 3 years of being the farm pet, his owner/breeder asked if I’d give him a shot as a sport horse (and since I was full with a waiting list at the time, Hero got another 6 months of turnout while they waited for a spot to open up at our farm).

Since he’s so big, had so much time off and is coming back from a soft tissue injury, I took it slow bringing him back into work, and now that I’ve fully gotten to test his soundness, I am confident he would hold up to jumping (he would probably be best staying around 2’6” – 2’9”). He is currently working 3-4 times a week doing a mix of arena work (trot and canter poles, simple lateral work, collection and extension, engaging his hind end, etc.), hacking out in fields and lunge work (he’s great with vocal cues on the lunge!). He also hauls off-site 2-3 times a month for training sessions at other farm or for trail rides.

While he is still green, he is a simple, confident and uncomplicated ride and is the kind of horse that makes you feel secure in the saddle. He hacks to the arena and around the farm on a loose rein, and when you ask him to get to work, it’s as if he says “where did we leave off last time and how can I do it better?” You can feel him absorbing and processing what you’re teaching him. Isn’t that what we all want – a teachable horse who aims to please?

On the ground, Hero is generally easy to handle, though can get a bit pushy if something makes him anxious (which is easily corrected by a confident handler). He can be left alone in the cross ties and is good for grooming and baths.

He is currently turned out in a small group of geldings, and while he’s one of the bigger ones in the herd, he is on the lower end of the totem pole. He also does well turned out with mares (and was actually turned out with fillies and mares during his 3-4 years off, as well as the first month he was here).

Hero does have mild shivers, though it has improved significantly as he has gotten back into shape. He can be a bit sticky about picking up one of his back legs, but if you are patient for a few seconds, he can pick it up and hold it up (it just "shivers" a bit). While shivers is not something that can be cured, his symptoms have lessened with regular bodywork and exercise the past few months and I do know of several horses who have performed and competed at the mid to even upper levels in dressage and eventing with the condition. While I do not think Hero is destined for the upper echelons of competition, he should be well-suited once he is fully rehabbed for a lower to mid-level career with appropriate maintenance.

Hero is currently priced at $4,500 and PPEs are welcome for interested parties.

Flatwork 6/14/24: https://youtu.be/y3f2xWDPTlA?si=T4ST_yxSPlMXLPLf