Sven- 2024 ATFO Outlaw Division

This horse is part of a special training event called the Appalachian Trainer Face Off. You can learn about it on Facebook and on our website. Horses in this training event are adoptable following 100+ days of training in August at www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com Adoption fees may be outdated, as a horse may have moved into training, so check us on most current fee. Horses typically adopted UTD on vaccines, dental floats, farrier care and all vet needs. Horse Locations Typically in Appalachia, but please inquire about a horse's specific location when you apply! We are looking to adopt to safe homes. A history of good horsemanship, the ability to provide sufficient care with good vet, farrier and peer references are important. If you are a first time horse owner, we will require you to board at a facility for the first year while you learn more about care. We encourage everyone to take advantage of riding lessons. Foal adoptions require previous, established experience with youngsters. Our adoption process makes sure you get the right horse for you – it is a no fail process for finding the right match. Apply at https://wvhorserescue.org/adopt ..First Required post for the Appalachian Trainer Face Off for #HOPTeamSven. The first 30 days have flown past as they do ever year and this year it seems to be moving even faster. At the beginning of the ATFO, I knew the belgian breed is known for being big gentle giants. So I knew I wasnt going to be dealing with with a flighty, nervous, introverted creature.. quite the opposite with this guy. Sven is outgoing, personable, willing, not spooky up past a snort or two. Enjoys the company of people, gets along fine with other horses. Overall just a fun guy to be around. Sven has excelled at Haltering/Leading with minimal issues with personable space, just a tad to much “in your pocket” Lounging at the Walk and Trot on a work line both directions Yeilding Shoulders and Hips to the left and right. Tacking Up- No issues with Saddle, Rear Cinch or Breast Collar. Stands Tied, no pullback. Loads and Unloads with no issues. Obstacles work. Very confident in engaging with obstacles. Walks over bridges, kiddie pool, tarp, through the cowboy curtain. Trail rides- Crosses water, mud and logs, no issues and can navigate hilly terrain. Things we continue work on. Becoming softer in the bridle. Hes guides around nicely at the walk, but tends to want to lean and get heavy (to be expected, hes a big guy) Cantering undersaddle. Lots of horse to get up and moving and doesnt not come natural to him. But has no issues once in the canter (no buck or bolt) Confidence in working alone. Will explain in more detail. Sven is big, but he doesnt known it. So personal space is a struggle for him. Thats a lot of horse to keep track of and when youre pushing 2000 lbs, sometimes its a struggle to maneuver that body like a light breed horse. Weve been doing a lot of body control exercises both on the ground and under saddle to help him learn his body. The biggest struggle I for see in Svens future is gaining confidence to work by himself, he has tendencies to want to be “buddy sour”… finds comfort in horses he knows from being stalled next to, or that hes shared a trailer ride with. Hes very manageable with the issue but were working on that it doesnt become something bigger. ( You can see from the videos, hes hollering for his new friend, June) This past weekend, We took Sven to his first outting. We traveled to the Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association Ranch horse show, just to take in the sights and see how he could handle it. He was a hit with the fellow competitors and they were in awe of just how big he was! (pictures do not do him justice). Sven entered the WT Ranch Riding class just for the experience. Just a few minor issues( calling for his friend and was distracted but he had a good ride and did what I asked and was happy with that. We will continue to take him more places, allowing him to gain for experience and shape him into the best riding companion we can! Its only up from here, literally. Hes 17.2hh Sven will be adoptable at the conclusion of the ATFO and if you think we would make a great fit for you, besure to check out Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC to learn more! As Sven continues to go to Shows, he gets better and better! He is navigating the trail patterns a champ, progressing to one handed riding. For a big guy and the short amount of training that he has, he earned 7th place! We are also working with him in harness and pulling a sled. This gentle, kind, and easygoing mind on this guy is unbelievable!