OTSB · Off-the-track Standardbred

Artspire

He raced under the lights. Now he would like to work at a walk.

Artspire is a solid candidate for a therapy or companion program. He’s steady on the ground, comfortable with handling, and honest about what his body can and can’t do. Like a lot of Standardbreds, he’s smart, sensitive, and people-oriented—eager to please once he understands what’s being asked, and he forms deep bonds with the people who take the time to work with him. He stands well for grooming and is fine with people handling him.

Artspire in a blue rope halter in the indoor arena, looking to the side

01 — The first career

Built for the track. Suited to the barn.

Artspire spent 6 seasons racing as a pacer harness racer and raced at several tracks across the US, including Running Aces. As a Standardbred pacer, he made 184 starts and earned about $146,000 before an injury ended his racing career. He arrived at Phoenix Farm in mid-2025 with a front-right suspensory injury and has been in careful rehabilitation since.

Artspire racing in harness at night
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Breed
Standardbred
Sex
Gelding
Color
Bay
Age
10
Height
16 hands
Located
White Bear Lake, MN

02 — Injury & soundness

The honest part.

Artspire sustained a right front suspensory ligament injury during his racing career. In 2025, he came through the Racehorse Reimagined program at This Old Horse and landed at Phoenix Farm for rehab. He was on stall rest for about 8 months, then started a controlled rehab program. Today, his injury hasn’t improved as much as we’d hoped, and he can only do light work going forward.

Comfortable with

  • Groundwork and hand-walking
  • Grooming and braiding
  • Liberty and desensitizing work
  • Turnout with a companion

Not suited to

  • Trotting or cantering under saddle
  • Lesson programs with regular riding
  • Driving or harness work
  • Forced trotting drills
Artspire grazing with kinesiology tape along his neck

03 — Temperament

“He stands still for things most horses won’t.”

— Demo Horse at a First Aid Clinic
Artspire standing quietly in an arena wrapped in bandages, plastic and tape
Handling
Leads, ties, and stands for the farrier and vet.
Touch
Accepts unfamiliar equipment on his body: wraps, tape, a massage pad.
People
He is comfortable with people he knows and learning to work with new people.
Herd
He is good with other geldings and is middle of the pack. He prefers a single “buddy” to hang out with.
Vices
None. Okay, he adores German Muffins!

04 — Daily care & routine

An easy keeper, mostly.

AM
Free hay
Midday
Pasture time
PM
1 lb. Ration Balancer, MSM & 1 - 57mg Equioxx
Weekly
In-hand arena walking, grooming & massage/red-light therapies
Farrier
Barefoot. Every 6 weeks.
A handler adjusting an Equissage massage pad on Artspire in an indoor arena
Equissage session in the indoor

The Bestest Boy

05 — Gallery

  • Artspire standing at a fence beside his gray pasture buddy
    Bestest buddies
  • Artspire in a paddock in blue fly boots, looking toward the camera
    Waiting for a treat
  • Artspire's head in a patterned halter in the indoor arena
    Fancy halter
  • Artspire standing square in a sunny paddock in a turquoise halter
    Most handsome
  • Close-up of Artspire's eye under his forelock
    Kindest eyes
  • Artspire on crossties in the barn aisle in a turquoise halter
    Crossties
  • Close-up of the dapples on Artspire's bay coat
    Dapples
  • Artspire in a rope halter in the sunlit indoor arena
    Morning sunshine
  • Artspire in the indoor arena in a turquoise halter, looking toward the camera
    Curious
  • Artspire with three smiling women posing beside him
    Loves attention
  • Artspire looking out over his stall door
    Escape artist
  • Artspire lying down in the hay with another horse standing behind him
    Nap time

Get to know Artspire

06 — In motion

Artspire is a gentle soul with a big heart—sensitive, alert, curious, and always eager to please.

In the pasture he’s the one watching everything, ears pricked for turkeys, cats, deer, or anything that might be worth checking out. With his people he’s quiet and respectful. He genuinely enjoys just being with them. He’s almost never sassy, and if he does get a little full of himself, a simple, quiet correction is all it takes.

He wants so much to do the right thing. What he needs most is trust and a sense of safety with the person beside him. He looks for partnership and soft, steady leadership—someone he can lean on. He has wonderful energy, and while he can still spook at things, all he really needs is a calm, trustworthy leader to show him he’s okay. Once he feels that, his whole body softens and he tunes in. Artspire loves nature and prefers to be outside rather than in a stall.

  • Done with stall rest
  • Stretching
  • Walking lunge
  • October walk

07 — From the people who handle him

“He is a fun one to work with and eventually catches on!”

Jenna

“He has always stood so well for his therapy treatments, even back in his racing days.”

Karrie

“Artie, Mr. Houdini! He’s a professional stall escape artist!”

Tarren

08 — Health records

Paperwork, up to date.

Full records and his treating vet’s contact are available to programs on request.

Coggins
Upon request
Vaccinations
April 8, 2026 · Vetera Gold (T/SS/F/R/WNV), PHF/Rabies · Boosters October 2026
Dental
April 8, 2026 · Dr. Toby Sheely, Rocky Branch Veterinary
Lameness exam
July 14, 2026 · Dr. Toby Sheely, Rocky Branch Veterinary
Chiropractic session
September 4, 2026 · Dr. Katie Luoma, Sunrise Equine Veterinary Services
Deworming / fecal count
[MM/YYYY]

09 — Inquire about adoption

Have a place for him?

Write to his owner with a little about your program. Visits and vet checks are welcome.

Lori@doodlepine.com→
Lori standing with Artspire in the indoor arena, holding his lead rope