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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Antioch Arrives in Arizona

Mar 25, 2010

Antioch arrived late last night! He is gorgeous even if he is thin and woolly! He began eating hay and found the automatic waterer right away. We are heading over there in a few minutes to try some beet pulp. We will take some pictures when we get there!

Jumping for Joy

Aug 28, 2010

Just wanted to let you know that Molly has started working with her trainer to
teach Antioch to jump! He is doing fabulous so far, very willing.

OTTB “Manages” Just Fine at His New Home

Apr 26, 2009

OTTB Manager Boire relaxed at his new home and laearning his new name “Ramone”
OTTB Manager Boire relaxed at his new home and learning his new name “Ramone”

My kids have renamed Manager Boire “Ramone”. He has settled in fine and has gone out on few rides with no trouble.

Hollywood Vic and Cheri’s First Canter is Thrilling!

Oct 6, 2008

Sunday has gone down as one of the best days of my life! This was the first day I cantered on my beautiful OTTB, Hollywood Vic! Last week I wrote that I have been working on balance. The work has finally paid off with Hollywood and Elizabeth’s’ patience, we cantered today for the very first…

Mimi’s Ava Has a Busy First Week Off-the-Track

May 26, 2012

Mimi’s Ava ran her last race on May 17, 2012. She traveled to Bits & Bytes Farm on May 22. Her new owner Phil Yarbrough rode her for the first time on May 24th.The next day, on the second ride, Phil put his Western saddle on his ex-race horse and took her for a trail ride with another OTTB!

Bato Loco es Mucho Terrific!

Oct 17, 2008

Loco is coming along great. I am at the barn at least five days each week; two days round pen, three days ride. We’ve made a lot of progress. Loco stands perfectly still at the mounting block for me and comes in from the pasture when I call him. He has really “gotten it” in…

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.

German Import Gets American Thoroughbred

Dec 14, 2011

As soon as it was certain, that we were going to move from Munich in Germany to Huntsville, Alabama, I started searching for the “perfect” horse on the other side of the world…. and soon got hooked on 4 year old Rule My Heart. It took some time, but then Heart finally moved from Kentucky to Alabama, almost a week before we would actually be moving. So here I was with a horse, I had never seen in real life and which I would not even be able to welcome home, since his new home was still not my new home.

Cortableau in the “Lap of Luxury”

Sep 8, 2009

Cortableau catches on very quickly and is so calm. He is also extremely polite – walks with you nicely, waits while you put his food down, etc. I sat on the mounting block in the round pen, and he came over, put his head down for a scratch, then pretty much put his head in my lap.

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…

Living the Life of “Riley” at His First Recognized Horse Trial

Jul 8, 2010

One year off-the-track, Golds Anatomy placed second in his first recognized Area X Horse Trials. The dressage rings were actually on a race track and he didn’t bat an eye!

Carrie Rides Again!

Nov 16, 2011

Here are some photos of Carrie and Shu—finally the circle is really complete!…Some of them are a bit blurry—but the essence of a rider on a horse—after all these years and in spite of all infirmities…still shows thru—some things just defy every attempt to have their light snuffed out—here is one.