- Skills / Disciplines
- Athletic, Barrel, Barrel Racing, Cutting Prospect, English Pleasure, Experienced, Foundation, Pole, Ridden English, Ridden Western, Trained, Western Riding
Additional Comments
Australianforbeer — “Aussie” / “Fosters”— 5yo Thoroughbred Gelding
15.2hh | Bay | $6,000 | Arnold, Missouri
Western started | Previously ridden English | Barrel/Pole Prospect
Race-trained | Never raced | Smooth, easy-to-sit gaits
Stands for vet and farrier | Loads in larger trailers
Middle/middle-low herd position
Intermediate/Advanced Rider — Leans Advanced
Meet Australianforbeer, affectionately known as Aussie at home and Fosters in his former race barn.... (read more)
Yes. Fosters.
Australian for beer.
Aussie is a petite (for a Thoroughbred) 15.2hh, 5-year-old gelding with absolutely enormous hooves, smooth gaits, plenty of athleticism, and a whole lot of motor.
He spent time in race training but never raced. His last recorded work was in October 2023, and he retired from race training with sore shins. He was given eight months off before being adopted through Second Stride, at which point he was sound and doing well.
Visit his former Second Stride page, including additional photos and videos.
secondstride .org/horse/australianforbeer/
That's the listing I read before deciding to drive 4.5 hours to pick him up.
He was reportedly a favorite among his former race trainers, which honestly tracks.
And, as a bay, he has the tremendous advantage of being able to disappear into any herd containing other bay horses.
"Another bay? No, honey. You must be seeing things."
THE IMPORTANT PART: AUSSIE HAS A GAS PEDAL
Aussie is NOT beginner-friendly.
He is a genuinely forward horse. He has plenty of go, is athletic and quick, and needs a confident intermediate-to-advanced rider, leaning more toward advanced, who is comfortable with a horse that has an engine.
He needs someone who wants a horse to continue training rather than a finished, push-button ride.
90-DAY PROFESSIONAL WESTERN START
Aussie has completed a 90-day Western Start program at Spurh Horsemanship with Ethan Peregoy in Sullivan, Missouri.
He has previously been ridden English and could absolutely return to English with his next person.
So why did we decide to send him for a Western start?
We assessed his natural talents:
1. Go fast.
2. Be athletic.
3. Turn very quickly.
And thought:
"You know what sport rewards questionable life choices at high speed?"
Barrels.
Aussie has been started on the pattern, and we think he could make a very fun prospect for either barrels or poles. He naturally has plenty of motor and can turn on a dime.
His gaits are smooth and getting downright floaty, and his trot is very easy to sit.
POSSIBLY A COW HORSE?
Aussie loves tracking dogs around the property.
Head down. Eyes locked. Following.
Like a stalker.
My dogs would describe this behavior as low-nosed terrorism.
Whether that interest translates to cattle remains to be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if he enjoyed cow sports.
If your dog is skittish, you may want to explain that the new bay horse has boundary issues.
HIS PARTY TRICKS
Aussie's former race trainer taught him to stretch himself. He does the cutest little bow/stretch, which we have thus far completely failed to capture on camera because apparently documented evidence ruins the mystique.
Better yet, he has somehow taught my other two horses to do it.
He also came out of race training with one of my favorite practical horse skills:
You can pick up all four feet while standing on his left side.
It is fantastic in tight spaces, extremely efficient, and ideal for anyone who believes walking all the way around a horse constitutes unnecessary cardio.
Fair warning: Aussie is enthusiastic about this skill and will occasionally offer you a foot when you didn't ask for one.
He also stands well for the vet and farrier.
He loads well into all trailers. He was hesitant about loading initially, but this has also improved considerably through training and should continue to be reinforced by his next owner.
He is a relatively easy keeper, although I've found that he sweats more easily than my other Thoroughbred, so I manage him accordingly with hydration/electrolytes.
In the herd, Aussie is roughly middle to middle-low and gets along with pretty much everyone.
He's equally happy working or loafing in the field, but mentally he does best when he has a job and consistent expectations.
Serious, appropriate homes only. Aussie deserves someone who appreciates exactly who he is — rocket boosters and all.
Shipping Notes
Prefer local, but willing to ship through a licensed and insured professional shipper.
