Holsteiner merrie

Moondance is a Sooty Brown Holsteiner mare, born in 2010, and has been in our possession since 2013. Originally bred for sport, she is by the stallion Loving Dancer (La Zarras 119 FIN x Calypso I). As a foal, she sustained an injury that resulted in chips forming in her front leg. These were not removed by her previous owner. In 2014, she underwent surgery after her injury was noticed during lunging. Two of the three chips were removed, but the third is located too close to the tendon to be taken out. An initial health check was performed at that time, but no X-rays were taken. Since then, Moondance has mostly been a retired mare, occasionally handled gently from the ground or ridden during relaxed rides, and sometimes used as a lead horse. She is familiar with both Western and English saddles.

Moondance was never fully backed but knows the basic aids. She responds better to leg pressure and weight than to rein cues. She has a dominant personality within her herd and tends to be high-ranking. She lives in an open stall with a Shetland pony, two Tinkers, and a large Pinto mare, whom she has known from the beginning. She is not malicious but can sometimes display typical mare behavior.

She has a strong affinity for horsemanship and responds excellently to body language. Once she has formed a bond, she follows her handler like a dog, showing respect and not rushing ahead. We also tried breeding her. In 2022, she was bred to the stallion Champion de Luxe but did not conceive. The same happened with Colonel Andy, a stallion bred via natural cover, with whom we have a 5-year-old son from our Pinto mare. She had twins but rejected both. She is now too old for her first foal.

Moondance is not suitable for those seeking an always rideable or work-ready horse. It’s important to observe her beforehand to see how she moves and whether she shows any lameness. If she is in pain, she will clearly show it through limping or very "moody" behavior. She may refuse to accelerate during lunging. Ignoring these signals can lead to her rearing or bucking. However, she does not aim these behaviors at her handler but merely wants to communicate her discomfort. She has been ridden by me on pain-free days when I was 13 years old and does not pose a danger.

She is accustomed to all kinds of noises, including those of the farrier, and is always willing to load onto a trailer. Overall, she is a loving mare who deserves many cuddles and is good for entertainment. My younger sister has even painted her from ear to hoof with finger paint, and she has never exhibited any bad habits. At the grooming area, she sometimes begs for treats.

Moondance is a barefoot horse; however, for rides outside the arena, she wears hoof boots as a precaution, since she can sometimes be sensitive. She is mainly offered as a companion horse and will never be a perfect riding horse. We wish her a happy future with other horses and plenty of treats until the end of her life.

Sale only with a right of repurchase to prevent her from becoming a wandering trophy. Sale only within Germany. It would be wonderful if ongoing contact could be maintained for occasional updates or to visit her once or twice a year. She means a lot to all of us, but unfortunately, we no longer have the means to care for her as well as we would like.

If interested, please contact me via email:
Fenjaweisser4@gmail.com.