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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Taxi to Arizona

Oct 9, 2010

Taxi’s here! She arrived bright and early, and in perfect condition. She’s amazing. Such a beautiful horse. Thank you, thank you for all your help.

Dance to the Wire is at Home in NC

Feb 23, 2012

Just wanted you to know Dance is home and tucked in his new stall. He traveled very well and arrived in excellent condition thanks to Tapp Horse Transportation! He is as beautiful as his pictures. Thank you both very much for acting as mediators to bring Dance and I together!

TK’s Turn Turns Up For Dinner

Nov 29, 2010

TK (TK’s Turn) is such a character – he figured out that my appearance often means dinner or at least treats, so he comes right up to check. He sticks his head through the tack room window while I’m getting dinner ready. He gets along great with Cor (Cortableau) and Tilla (my Appy mare who…

First Lesson on Antioch

Apr 1, 2010

Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds are easy to train but it sometimes helps to have someone coaching and encouraging you. Too often all you get is criticism because of peoples’ lack of knowledge about ex-race horses.

A+ on First Ride for OTTB Leader Board aka “LeeBo”

Sep 30, 2008

Here is a picture we took the day he arrived at the farm. “LeeBo” started training today and he did Great! Victor, the trainer, gave him an A+ today! He was so quiet and didn’t seem to care about much. We took him to the ring with the jumps and he barely even looked at…

First Ride for Finder’s Chance and Jim

Jun 20, 2008

Jim rode Chance yesterday for the first time. He fussed and threw his head and jigged for about five minutes until Jim got him settled down. When Jim rode him today, he never did so much as stick his chin out! They have really connected.

Third Time’s A. Charm

Aug 18, 2012

We have had a lot of people wondering just who got our special girl – Absolute Charm.

Let me give a little background to her story first.

Absolute Charm’s new family has had a rough few years. The mother was diagnosed with a terminal neurological disease with no cure. Her husband is a critical care nurse and he searched for every possible solution or possible cause for her condition. The mother grew weaker and weaker until she needed two canes just to walk and she spent most of her time in bed.

In trying to relieve some of the family’s stress, the then 13 year old son took up riding dressage at a local stable. . .

Cortableau – One Month Update

Oct 5, 2009

Cortableau handled being in an unfamiliar place at the hunter pace – new horses and different terrain with no problem. We actually had our first canter ever a few minutes into the ride, and we did a couple of canters up hills. So I got braver and, when we got to the really big field, we cantered again.

Brett’s 2010 End of Year Wrap Up

Jan 17, 2011

Hi Barry & Elizabeth! So, here’s the Brett and Judi end of year round up:  first place at our first ‘A’ show, fourth out of 27 in our first hunter classic-with a score of 80 in the first round, 76 in the second. Our divisions the largest in our local show association-usually 20-26 in our…

Rap It Up’s First Ride

Sep 5, 2009

I rode Rap It Up for the first time today and he did great!!!!!!! He was actually pretty lazy! Not at all what I expected from him! He was pretty rowdy on Monday, but the more time he spent NOT confined to a stall, the better he was. He is adjusting to his new home very well.

Anamericansoldier in Connecticut

Nov 17, 2009

Soldier is doing well and has settled in here. He has shoes on and is much happier. His teeth are done and he has been wormed once. He is eating and drinking well and we are giving him a bit more food.

Construction’s First Ride

Aug 16, 2008

Meredeth and Construction enjoy their first ride together at Bits & Bytes Farm.