Brett is at his Best when the Light Bulb goes on

Brett has a willingness and heart that pleases mom Judi

Brett is coming along on schedule, and without even a hiccup. We’ve been trotting courses up until the end of July, when we began trotting in and cantering out. It took him a few lessons to understand to come back/whoa down a line but don’t confuse that with getting strong. He would canter softly, loose rein, down the line, he just lacked adjustability. Once he understood I really meant ‘shorter’ or ‘slower’ he willingly came back, softly and easily.

The challenge of training Brett is actually his willingness. He is always (yes, always) trying to do what I ask. If he doesn’t, it is because I have failed to get the idea across. Once I come up with a solution he understands, he accepts the new idea, incorporates it into his ‘rolodex’ and offers the behavior when it is asked for (his ‘light bulb’ or ‘ah ha’ moments are priceless).

I’m probably a bit tiresome when asked, “Was Brett good?” or “Did you have a good ride?” The answer is always, “Brett was great.” After the first four months together (which were very eventful and exciting!), Brett has given me maybe one day when he just didn’t seem to want to cooperate. I wish my employer could say the same about me! That Thoroughbred willingness, and heart, is exemplified in this boy.

Retraining Brett and any OTTB starts with meaningful communications

We’ve been showing about twice a month (one-day, local shows), so we still have plenty of time to trail ride. Richmond now has an amazing, private riding club, situated on 2200 acres, horses only. Brett has become an experience trail horse, and is a pleasure in that activity as well. And, as always, he is a character, loves people and all animals, reliably gentle. He still is slow to trust new people, but that has improved by miles. I may never get his ears clipped, and neither Joan nor I feel that’s a problem. I can wash his entire head now (with a sponge), and leave him in the crossties as I do it (it is however, a good thing I am tall). Pretty much all of his quirks have to do with his head, or people moving abruptly around his head. He loves the horse vac, go figure! He is, still, the horse of my dreams. If there are any foal photos of him, I’d love copies. Thank you so much for producing such a quality horse, and Elizabeth, thanks for taking him in so I could find him.

Judi

Judi purchased Brett, one of Bits & Bytes Farm’s 25 Special Horses, in 2006. To read their past success stories please click here.