- Skills / Disciplines
- Beginner, Classical, Finished, Color Producer, Horsemanship, Kid Safe, Lesson, Longe Line, Natural Horsemanship Training, Ridden Western, Trail Riding, Trained, Western Pleasure, Western Riding
Additional Comments
I purchased Candy in 2015 as a rescue horse, so we do not have any information on her registration (if she has any), bloodlines, or other history. She was estimated by a veterinarian to be around 15 years old at that time, so she is around 24-25 years old now.
I purchased her in order to rehabilitate her from what I believe was a physically abused background based on her anxiety and reactivity. I believe that prior to rescue, someone used abusive methods in their training and handling of her (it seems most likely a man, as she is still cautious around most men unless they are calm, gentle, and patient).... (read more) She is most comfortable, and was most likely originally trained using Classical Dressage and Centered Riding Techniques on the ground and under saddle. Since buying her, she has come a long way from the frightened mare that you couldn’t trim without sedation or saddle without great anxiety.
Once I rehabilitated her nervous and reactive issues, I used her in my lesson program for beginners as a western lesson horse as she is trained at the walk, jog, and lope in both directions on a lunge line and under saddle. She also became a wonderful trail horse. She ties, lunges, bathes, loads and trailers beautifully. She is a sweet mare who loves attention and trail riding. She adores children, but she needs a calm, gentle, and patient intermediate to advanced rider for adults, especially men. When I retired Candy from my lesson program in 2021, she became my 14-year-old daughter’s horse.
MEDICAL NOTICE. Late this past summer, she was diagnosed with Asthma. So, she may not be able to work hard anymore, especially in the summer. We have not been able to work her since summer due to trying to get her condition under control. She requires daily preventative supplements, Dexamethasone and Ventipulman (prescribed by the vet during flare ups). She will also require a hay free diet consisting of soaked pellets and/or cubes to curb the dust she’s breathing in. The vet is suggesting a much cooler climate, or a shady environment with a stall and a fan, as she is really struggling with our hot and humid climate. If we are able to get her condition managed, the vet suggested that she may be a walk, trot horse for a youth rider. However, it is not recommended to do a lot of ring work due to the dust. She loves the trails, but again, she is currently not in work due to her condition, so it’s uncertain.
As a professional farrier, I recommend that she is either kept barefoot, wears hoof boots for riding, or has glue on shoes as she has hooves that chip easily and do not have enough hoof wall for nailing on shoes. She needs a patient farrier (preferably a female) who is willing to gain her trust, and work with her due to her past traumas. I have not had to sedate her for farrier work myself in a very long time, but a new farrier may need to.
My daughter and I are both heartbroken that we can't keep her at this time, as we usually keep all of our horses for their lifetime, regardless of age, medical, or behavioral issues. I am ONLY selling all of my horses because I am a single mother and the economy will not allow me to continue owning horses at this time, even before her recent diagnosis. My hope is that someone will care lease or buy her, and be willing to give my daughter updates from time to time.
Currently located at my close friend’s farm in Deep Run, NC.
Please feel free to TEXT either me or my friend Jadie with inquires. I am a police officer working night shift, so Jadie is helping me field calls. She has been a longtime friend and has been caring for my horses, so she knows most about their current condition and can arrange viewings.
Mara (me) at (803) 633-5220
Jadie (my friend caring for the horses at this time) (425) 344-7555
Mobile Horse Training, Lessons, and Farrier Services
