First OTTB Success Stories for

For a new off-the-track Thoroughbred owner there are lots of "Firsts". First Ride, First Show, First Canter or even their First Success Story posted to this site. If you are wondering what it is like to own and ride your own OTTB, read these stories from our buyers about their "Firsts". 

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Tucks St. Aly and Our Spotlight Stories Page

May 10, 2009

This is the story that started our Spotlight Stories.

Antioch and Molly Canter for the First Time!

May 18, 2010

Molly cantered Antioch for the first time tonight and he was fabulous! He learns everything so fast. He now longes with voice commands and goes at the walk and trot over poles and now she can work on his canter leads! We just love him. I hope all is well at Bits & Bytes Farm.

Helmet – check, Phone – check, Brakes – check, Seatbelt?

Dec 29, 2008

December was full of new experiences for Tux (aka Bato Loco) and me. We went on our first field trip to another farm to ride. He loaded beautifully; however, he whinnied the entire drive. I wonder if he thought I was sending him back to the track! We were both nervous, but I think we…

Bato Loco the Seahorse!

May 14, 2009

Off-the-track Thoroughbred Bato Loco enjoys swimming and riding on the beach!

Is That You Joe Bear?

Mar 5, 2009

Tucks St. Aly has made it home to Texas and his new mom Alex Kemper! Dearest Elizabeth and Barry, Well I’ve gotten a few pics here, I know there aren’t any of him in the stall or anything yet, but those will come soon. I was mostly just trying to get these ones uploaded so…

“Kwinn” and Ronni Send Kudos for Canters

Oct 7, 2008

Oh how exciting to read Cheri’s success story and see her smiling face while she was cantering Vic! Simply AWESOME! I thoroughly enjoyed reading how excited she is to have her sweet boy in her life! My best to them! And, I just had to let you know that Noah was very excited to read…

“Sage” is (at) Home on the Range

Jun 16, 2009

Home…Home on the range (in Texas)…..Sage is now finally here with me and he has a new best friend Tiger. Both of them are 4 year-old OTTBs and they are both beautiful fiery red chestnuts. You would think they are long lost brothers, because they are inseparable. They don’t leave each others side….even though they are turned out with three other horses. If you take one of them away from the other they whinny at each other it’s hilarious.

When That Little Voice Says “Do It!”…

Oct 1, 2008

Today was such a thrill! It’s been a week and a half. Loco and I have been working very hard in the round pen every day. They say thoroughbreds naturally tend to move forward in the pen. Not mine. We’re getting much better, but he’d really like to just look at me and follow me…

Starting Stiff as a Rod

Jul 13, 2011

Am thinking also to keep the mounted “work” to a couple of times a week for now and focus on continuing to loosen her and get her shifted and “right” in her work–loose flexible and relaxed with just enuf saddle work to make sure she continues to feel comfortable with it. Does any of this sound right to you guys? and any other suggestions? I am giving her back and haunches good deep rubs whether we have worked or not to try and make sure she stays muscularly as loose as I can….funny—was massaging her poll and upper neck the other day—she started yawning over and over and twisted her neck around to me some much she practically turned herself inside out…lol. Was the funniest goofiest thing, she was practically looking up at the ceiling.

First Ride on Icy went Very Very Nicey

Nov 10, 2008

                              Just wanted to let you know that Georgia had her first ride on Icy last Friday. She had not ridden in a while because of the situation with her previous horses, so she was a little nervous. He was so…

Shelby’s Hill Competes in USEA Horse Trials

May 10, 2011

“Ping” came 3rd in Beginner Novice at UNH’s USEA horse trials.

Why Ride in a Car when You can Ride a CarMAC?

Nov 4, 2008

Carmac is still doing great! I am continuing his lunging and the side reins and he is getting better and better everyday. I haven’t gotten any good pictures, as it’s hard to take pictures while lunging a horse at the same time, must work on my timing. Anyway my mother did come out one afternoon…