GOLIATH - 22 year old TB gelding -PLACED!

[schwung]

Goliath is a 22 year old dark bay TB gelding, 15.3h, surrendered by his owner for financial distress. His owner had been trying unsuccessfully to sell him for the past 6 months, and she had gotten desperate. Goliath had an eye injury a month ago, which was treated by a vet but when it failed to improve with medication, the vet referred her to a specialist which she could not afford. Goliath has also not had his feet trimmed in some time. However, he is sound, has clean legs and we have been told he rides english/western, has been used in 4H and is suitable for an intermediate rider.

The eye is runny and a little bit swollen, but doesn't look too terrible. He will be seeing our vet on Saturday. He needs a little weight and is a bit pushy on the ground, but he seems like a sweet boy. He does not have papers or a tattoo.

[beta]

I met Goliath today and I have to say that this boy just seemed like the biggest, sweetest, gentlest boy. He LOVED attention today and seemed to seek it. I just had to pop in quick with a brush before I left and not only did he absolutely love having his face (gentle around that eye), neck, and ears brushed and nuzzled in to me, but once I moved on to his back, butt, and legs he started yawning big and opted for a nap. Woke up when I stopped and gave me that "oh, is that it?" look. Very sweet guy.

[schwung]

I've been remiss in posting updates on this beautiful boy. In the past month, he has proven to be the sweetest, nicest horse. Truly a gem! His eye issue turned out to be no big deal - there was a previous ulceration that had healed, and what was causing the swelling and discharge was nothing more than conjunctivitis which cleared up with 5 days of medication. His very long toes got cleaned up (he's great with his feet) and a bad case of thrush cleared up, and he had his shots and his teeth floated. He has gained quite a bit of weight (still needs a few more pounds though) and his coat has developed a shine and he now has gorgeous dapples. We had one choke scare with him, which required him to be tubed and go on a round of antibiotics, but he is all better now.

He is a perfect gentleman with only one flaw, in that he is very insecure and very herdbound to Annie, his pasturemate. Today a couple of volunteers took him out and played with him. He was upset in the cross-ties when he couldn't see Annie but once in the arena he quickly settled and then was perfectly relaxed and easy to work with. We lunged him, and he did great so we went ahead and saddled him up and two of our volunteers rode him. He tacked up easily with no issues and is just as well-broke as reported. He was a little fussy with the bit (may not be the right bit for him) but he was very willing and quiet and under saddle. He has a nice big trot and a beautiful canter, and he does gorgeous walk/canter transitions. Nice, nice horse! And he is ready to be offered for adoption! His adoption fee will be $600.

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And a video of Goliath under saddle!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlyHggPM8Ns

[cantw82ride]

I knew Goliath a few owners back. He is a great horse. He was a pony club horse with a young boy who jumped him. Then Goliath was gorgeous, well fed and happy. He was raced earlier in his life - you'll see his tongue was cut from being tied, I might be able to come up with his registered name. He did trail ride also but feels safer with a group than alone. he is a gooooood boy - never knew him to be pushy on the ground. I bet he is just hungry! Glad ot hear he ended up at a wonderful organization such as SAFE. Hopefully he gets adopted by someone!

[schwung]

Great, thanks for the update! That is great he was a pony club horse too...we'll have to try him over some jumps. Are you sure he raced? He doesn't have a tattoo so I don't think he did, but could have had the tongue injury (which I hadn't noticed but will look for it) in training and then never actually raced thus no tattoo. If you do come up with his registered name (the woman we got him from didn't know and didn't ever get his papers).

[hooti4me]

He's such a beautiful horse!! Well come SAFE! Jaime, aren't you itching to pull his mane?? lol

[schwung]

Yeah, that mane will have to go soon enough.

[cantw82ride]

I did some digging and this is what I found. His name is Hadrian, he is an 1988 model.
www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=1183365®istry=T&horse_name=Hadrian&dam_name=Hellen&foaling_year=1988&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

[Sara]

Oh, I think I like the name Hadrian for him better than Goliath!

Either way, I rode this boy today and he is AWESOME. If I were even considering adopting right now I would have packed him into the forester and taken him home with me.

He is the perfect gentlemen and obviously has quite a bit of training. We tried him in a regular snaffle today and he seemed to like that a little better- he was more quiet with his head than he was in the video.

He is very light in the bridle, forward and obedient. He likes to poke his nose out but will give you his head if you ask him for it. His ground manners are excellent. There is nothing about him that hints at his age and I certainly wouldn't let that be a barier to considering him for adoption. Whoever ends up with this guy will get an absolute steal on a truly wonderful horse.

[hops]

Saw a whole lot of this guy at the show. What a good boy. Great job to his rider/handler, you both looked fantastic.

[monicabee]

I was watching Goliath come out of the dressage arena when I realized I knew his rider. Sheridan! How fun to see an old acquaintance back in the saddle.

We were talking afterwards, and I kept looking at Goliath's striking face, with its prominent eye and unusual shape, thinking I knew him from somewhere too.

She mentioned his pedigree and War Admiral being in it. I just checked Hop's link. One name jumped out at me. Ribot. There was a picture of him in one of my horse books - Wikipedia has the same image.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ribot_(GB).jpg

Anyone else see a similarity?

[equiventurous]

Monica!! It was so awesome to reconnect with you!! You were one of my favorites at our old barn, and I very much enjoy your blog. You're right, there is a definite family resemblance to Ribot. Goliath has such a beautiful face and a kind eye, and he often seems to be smiling. Cantw82ride is right; he does have a very old scar on his tongue, but nothing tht seems to affect him at all. I've found he goes beautifully in a rubber snaffle, he is very relaxed and willing on the bit (quite unlike the first video). The more I ride him, the more he seems to remember his past training. I imagine he won quite a few ribbons in the past, and has a lot more ribbons to win yet!! If anyone would like to meet Goliath or Deeds, Jaime can provide my contact info and address. They are both beautiful boys!!

[schwung]

Goliath's foster mom predicted that the first person who came out to see him was going to take him home, and she was right! Pending adoption!