Many pics of him are in our various albums. Feel free to browse them all!

For all of Riot's fans

SPRING 2009 - He is now a "normal" horse. Three years almost to the day sees him calm, secure, and able to think enough to keep his riders safe. He still does not like cows or bicycles but he no longer bolts in terror - he trusts people to keep him safe. We were offered $4000 for him recently (awesome considering he was given to us!) but there really is no amount of $ that could replace him.

He is our boy.

Winter 2008/09 - Riot continues to improve ...and develope his sense of humor...he greatly enjoys pretending to be a foal with no idea what a halter is , and we "thank" him for allowing us the opportunity for more excersise ...EXCEPT if his "club girl" Jamie is the one with the halter - THEN he practically puts his head in the halter. 

 We are very happy that he is finally confident enough to be "bad" without fear of abuse.

We are also very fit.

FALL 2008 - Saw him ridden in advanced lessons by both Sarah and Hannah - both girls helped him a lot with their perfect form and clear aids.

August 2008 - COWS - apparently HORSE EATING cows are living in a field near my barn...Riot tried his best to get past this field, but lost it when the cows MOOOOVED.

It makes sense if you are used to seeing something being smaller than your hoof...(seen from a distance) and then it is suddenly the size of YOU.

 July 2008  - Riot continues to amaze us with his trust and desire to learn - July 11th saw him taking a 2'9 vertical jump - yes his back feet nicked it the first time - but not the second! We have been allowing him to free jump prior to this and he LOVES it. He trotted over small cross rails and hopped over higher ones - today he JUMPED!! Riot is also happily allowing our other staff members to ride him at w/t/c - he is expanding his circle of trust!!! 

May 2008 - In the last month Riot has become a new horse - he is happy being ridden at any pace either alone or in a group. Taylor took him for a few trips around the block (!!) and for a few trail rides - in preparation for a day long Ride A Thon on May 24. He was ridden through the woods - through water that came over his tummy - through muck in the woods, up steep hills and down - even with horses he didn't know. He even hand galloped like a gentleman (okay he did not want to go first and "allowed" Magic to lead the way) Pics are in the photos section under TROtt and Our Horses

Yesterday ( April 24th 2008) - for the first time - he was ridden in a group conditioning class with some of our boarders and staff - with no issues!!!! In an eggbutt snaffle, with his handsome royal blue pad and girth cover - He walked, he trotted, he halted and stood, he did figure eights, he extended AND collected - all like a perfect CALM gentleman!!

WE ARE SOOOOO PROUD OF HIM!!!

and I am SO proud of TAYLOR!!!

Riot had a rough start - He was a FoalQuest PMU foal destined for slaughter in 2001 - He was rescued and put up for adoption - He had an accident that tore open his shoulder, jeopardizing his adoptability - Ellee had a hand in getting him adopted to a couple in Ottawa - He then suffered abuse at the hands of a "trainer" leaving this big boy so terrified he would tremble and panic if he saw a shovel or heard a hoof pick drop.

 As with most rescues there are a few stories as to what happened to him after the "trainer"- One has him falling and damaging his hip. During this fall his rider broke her arm in 3 places - an ambulance came to take her away. Riot (being a young sensitive boy) was in pain, down ,and witnessed all this comotion and yelling.

 Another version has this 16.3 hand 1300 pound big boy being cantered ("trained") in a round pen. Of course his stride was too big for this space as he had not learnt collection or balance yet. He paniced...rider lost balance and this is when the falls occured. 

Either way - His mind was more damaged than his body and He was labled unrideable and unsafe.

 Pride Stables took him in in June of 2006.

It took us a full year of ground work to allow him to realize that no harm would ever come to him here.

Special thanks to our farrier who took extra time with him - even after that HUGE hoof just missed his head in a moment of panic. 

 Summer of 2007 - Riot's training is going GREAT! He can be mounted EASILY now  (on the right) and ridden at the walk AND TROT with NO panic attacks. He lunges calmly now with no tension - he is such a sweet boy!

Winter - He LOVES the snow and we continue to lunge and ride him in a calm and laid back manner.The guy has relaxed SO much and just loves being the "special" horse that gets to be ridden all alone with his girl

Over the winter of 2007/08 Riot developed a close bond with his "other girl" Jamie, who chose him as her "club horse" - when he is ready she will be the first non staff to ride him.

SEE HER RIDING HIM IN OUR 2008 ALBUM!! 

Heartfelt thanks to Brigitte Dorey - an awesome local trainer - for her expertise and great attitude helping us help our boy. We HIGHLY recommend this trainer ...she is awesome