A=Excellent /Performs consistently with all riders/handlers
B= Good / Performs consistently with experienced riders/handlers. May test others.
C= Average / Performs adequately will improve with further training
D= Fair / Introduced to concept ; needs further training
N/A = Does not apply / Unable to perform due to health or physical limitations
X= Poor / Tested, Equine was not able to perform task due to lack of training
Z= Unknown / Never tested, skill level unknown

"These assessments are based on how these horses respond in their current environment and any change in their current environment, riders, diet, etc could have an effect on the horses' immediate performance. Horses need time to adjust when moved to new surroundings. We highly recommend you visit, spend time with the equines and evaluate the equine before making a decision"

General Health	Score		Score
Maintains weight well	A	Teeth in good condition	A
Hooves in good condition	D	Overall is Healthy	A
Explain overall health:  Goliath had a bowed tendon that has healed well, which was when he retired from racing. In 2003, his owner reported that he had put him to pasture for a few months and one day found he had reinjured his tendon and had a chunk of muscle missing from his back. This has healed over some, but is still a sensitive spot, so he can only accommodate a light rider. His vet recommended that he overfeed him to keep a certain amount of fat deposition across his topline to give him more cushion on his sore spot. His eyes also seem to be sensitive to the flies, and he needs a fly mask in the summer months. His owner also reported that his hooves are sensitive and seem to dry and crack easily (the D-rating is for this, not for overgrown or other issues). He was fed Equine Endurance, ½ cup Calf-Manna, a mineral salt block, and was regularly dewormed with diatomaceous earth.

Social Skills	Score		Score
Responds well to people	A	Gets along with mares	Z
Can touch face	A	Gets along with geldings	B
Can touch ears	D
Explain overall socialization:  Goliath loves people and is more like a big kid, always inquisitive and wanting to play. He is highly intelligent and needs a job to do. He is not quite aware of his size, so you need to be on your toes for his playful antics. He likes to push you with his head, but always playfully. As for horses, he gets along well with geldings but was not around mares. Hollywood, another retired racer, was adopted by the same person in January 2007 and they have been best buddies ever since. They need to be adopted together, as one gets very stressed out and frantic if the other is more than a few yards away. They both reportedly love water and will play in it for hours. The previous owner also indicated he let them play and swim in the lake on the property to help calm and relax them after a work out. NOTE: He is very sensitive about his ears being touched, even after years of his owner working with him.

Ground Manners	Score		Score
Easy to catch	A	Picks up feet for farrier	A
Easy to load	A	Easy to Bathe	A
Easy to halter	A	Easy to Trim	A
Easy to lead	A	Easy to Fly Spray	A
Ties	A	Kicks	NO
Explain manners:  Goliath is great on the ground and loves to be groomed and bathed. He is sensitive to certain sounds and loud noises, particularly ambulance sirens, loud speakers, loud music, trailer doors slamming shut, etc. He doesn't bolt out from under you, but it does make him nervous. He will load in a trailer, but he panics if you take him too far away from Hollywood, so they need to be loaded quickly and quietly.

 

Riding Skills	Score		Score
Stands while being tacked	A	Walks	A
Stands while being mounted	B	Trots	A
Easily moves out	A	Lopes/Canters	A
Does well on trails	A	Runs	A
Does well in arenas	A	Backs up	B
Explain overall training:  He was originally trained as a racer, but for the past seven years was ridden and worked daily in cross-country. He is extremely strong and intelligent, and needs a rider is confident and that can take control of him in a calm, patient way. Again, he's like a big kid and will work for awhile and then decides he was to play. He was taught voice commands and responds really well. He mimics other horses, and only has to be taught something once. He loves music and has a beautiful step, and has great potential for hunter-jumper and dressage.