Phoenix is said to love the trails, he's already competed in some 25-mile Endurance rides, but he is in need of some more training due to tossing his head. He will be in training with me to hopefully resolve this issue and then eventually be listed for sale. More information to come after I learn more about this guy!
So far, Phoenix has been doing incredibly well in training. I decided to do a re-start and start him slow with encouraging opportunity to think, learn to flex/relax, and focus on taking things easy. Starting him over in a knot halter to create more softness/responsiveness and we're back in the bit with a lot more softness. My main goal was to add more of a foundation where he was lacking. As he continues to be in training and the weather is becoming nicer, I will be working on going further distances, solo, and work on slowly building up speed prior to sales date. I want to rule out speed/anticipation to move out as a trigger for head tossing and still have yet to do. If it is determined that his head tossing is only a habit and that he, does it at random (he may offer it if he's anxious or needs a release in a sense) and it can't be resolved fully by his sales date, this will just have to be known. I have narrowed it down to a handful of things, but the more training he receives, and being he isn't offering it consistently or much at all to go off of, and nothing in specific has triggered it in riding that I have been able to pinpoint, just has me thinking it is just a habit/release which may stick with him long-term. May just be a "pick your battles" type of deal. Could be a worse behavior in replacement for it, but it's just a head toss. |
This Little Light of Mine
"Phoenix" Basic Information: Year Born: 2018 Height: 15H Breed: Grade Arabian/Saddlebred Cross Gender: Gelding. Color: Chestnut Registered? No, but nominated through AHDRA UTD on all cares including a teeth float Coggins expires March of 2026 Additional information:
Solid disposition │ Forward & Job Oriented │ 5/10 temperament
Planning on having 60-90 days of more training.
Rider Level Needed: Intermediate to advanced, only due to having a head tossing issue that may be a habit. Trying my best to resolve it prior to sales date, but if it's a habit, it may not get fully fixed. He is solid minded, controllable, and not spooky. VERY good boy and so far this is his only "quirk". |
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Please make sure to read our sales policy here as well: Sales - Spirit Creek Arabians with more information when purchasing from us. Please read before contacting or scheduling an appointment.
Transportation:
Please make sure to read our sales policy here as well: Sales - Spirit Creek Arabians with more information when purchasing from us. Please read before contacting or scheduling an appointment.
Transportation:
- Transportation arrangements are the buyer’s responsibility.
- We're only offering transportation services within state and only from May 1st-November 1st.
- Horses must be picked up within one week of purchase or upon receipt of veterinary paperwork.
- We do not offer post-purchase boarding.
- Once a horse is purchased, we allow up to one week for pickup or transport arrangements to be completed. Board will be charged for any day(s) further of stay with a max limit of two weeks. It is expected that transportation and any requested veterinary work be scheduled and carried out in a timely manner by serious or committed buyers.
- Buyer is responsible for all additional expenses or requirements that's wanted/needed, including but not limited to transportation, Coggins test, health certificate, pre-purchase examination (PPE), or any other veterinary work needed or requested.
- Most of our sales horses do not have updated Coggins, Health certificates, etc. at time of sale as we do not need them for anything personally. All of ours have negative Coggins coming in and if they're still up to date, they will be listed as such but usually expire by the time of sale.
- If a potential buyer requests veterinary work, the horse will be placed on “hold” status and held only until the examination or test results are received. A timely decision is expected once results are available and the horse will be made available again unless a decision to buy or down payment is made that same day.
- Please note that any veterinary work performed at the request of a potential buyer is nonrefundable and entirely at the buyer’s discretion.
- We accept cash only as payment, no exceptions. To prevent scamming and bad checks.
- We do not allow out-of-state purchases unless the buyer visits in person to see the horse prior to purchase.
- Horses currently enrolled in our training program are eligible for Discounted Continued Training at the discretion of the buyer. This option is offered at a reduced rate of $1,000 per month, which includes pasture board. Please note that only pasture board is available under this discounted program.
- This reduced rate is provided because the horse’s daily routine, handling, and training structure will remain consistent with the program they are already accustomed to. Since these horses have already been started and integrated into our training system, continued development can be offered at a lower cost while maintaining the same quality and progression.
- Buyers may elect to begin this continued training immediately after purchase, if wanted.
- Additionally, any horse that's gone through our training program that's been purchased from us is eligible for a discounted refresher every year as well as continued training at any point throughout its life, provided that we are actively offering training services to the public at that time. This lifelong eligibility ensures consistency in training and support for both horse and owner long term and being we put so much into our horses, we would like to make sure they continue to do well for their future. Whether you bought a horse from us directly or acquired one that was in our training program at some point, as long as they've been through our program, they're eligible! You can find more information on this here: Discounted Refresher's & Continued Training Program
Last updated: 02/23/2026
- Unknown who originally started him.
- Grade, no factual information on his history or background prior to his last owner having him.
- Good for the farrier & all cares
- Phoenix has 3 white hooves and one black, while white hooves can be "softer", he has not shown signs of sensitivity except immediately after being freshly trimmed. He is barefoot and does not require shoes.
- Loads in the trailer and hauls well
- Respectful of fences and has been in both hot and non-hot fencing without any issues. Primarily in wire fencing.
- Has been stalled without issues (doesn't mind).
- Came here broke to ride with a head tossing issue/behavior
- W/T/C
- Rides out alone without
- Not buddy sour/barn sour
- Curious but not spooky
- Was ridden out on trails with prior owner
- Has completed 5 LDs with prior owner in 2025
- Prior owner says he could be a 100-mile horse
- Goes through mud, water, puddles, etc.
- Was ridden over bridge with prior owner
- Knows how to lunge both ways and switch
- Has been round penned
- Has had thorough desensitization and groundwork
- Respectful on the ground
- Stands for tacking/untacking
- Stands for mounting/dismounting
- Re-started him in a knot halter and then transitioned back into the bridle once he got enough softness
- Can be ridden in a knot halter or bridle
- Is controllable
- Knows neck flexion
- Trained for one-rein stops
- Steps up onto and goes over obstacles
- Doesn't mind music being played from the saddle (from phone) or loudly playing in the barn
- Has been ponied by an ATV
- Doesn't mind traffic and is used to all sorts of machinery, vehicles, ATV's, (We have a very chaotic farm)
- Has been blanketed.
- Doesn't mind fly spray
- Has had exposure to goats, cows, machinery, vehicles, ATV's, fire/smoke, chainsaws (in the pasture with the herd), gunshots (on the property), dogs (we have loud and chaotic dogs around him all the time and up close).
- Has been pastured with 1-4 other horses since coming here including one of our stallions. He gets along with everyone, doesn't seek out to pick on anybody, but if any horse gets too invasive or in his space he will warn and pin ears/get vocal and establish boundaries immediately. He doesn't offer to kick or bite unless he feels threatened. Not low on the totem poll here.
- Doesn't mind being with people or with the horses. He just acts like he's just there. Has no particular buddy or friend. Not overly attention seeking, more job oriented in a sense, but not completely. Would benefit from having one person. Not really an in your pocket type of horse, but is still sweet, gentle, and allows attention.
- Walks up to you and is easy to catch.
I was told Phoenix was originally brought up from Oklahoma. He was then trained at some point and was entered in 5 LD's in 2025 with his prior owner and trail ridden. What she had to say about him: "He is trained under saddle and absolutely loves the trail. His gaits are amazing; he has a 10-foot trot stride! He has completed 5 Endurance rides (25-mile LD rides) I think he could be a 100-mile Endurance horse if someone could cure the head tossing, he has stamina and the drive; he can trot for days!" She also said he always competed better the second day (competing two days in a row). He came with a head tossing issue/behavior. She had him x-rayed and did chiropractic work on him. He passed all vet work, had x-rays done on both his neck & back to make sure there were no issues with kissing spine and other vertebral issues, and all were clear. That showed he doesn't have any structural issues and ultimately figured it was just a habit. Her vet said you do not get better than him. He was also scoped for ulcers, treated, and then scoped to confirm they were healed, which they had. He does not have any conformational issues and was never pulled from a ride or lame a day since she owned him. Was updated on all cares including a teeth float with prior owner all done in 2025. His prior owner would be happy to get in contact with his future owner, and she is more than happy to transfer his information so his records can be kept under his same name. He has an AERC number for competition as well. He is "registered/nominated" under AHDRA under Arabian type, so that would be transferred as well.
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