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". 

Refresh this page in your Browser for even more first time stories. Each time you reload or revisit this page, the stories will change. Keep scrolling to see more stories pop up.

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…

Love at First Meeting!

Feb 18, 2009

….I didn’t even quite realize who was over in that pasture, until Barry said “now Aly….stays over in this pasture” and I just about exploded in a scream, I don’t think words can describe what happens when you feel the soft muzzle of an Aly BaYboy for the first time, I felt so quiet when I first touched him, I think its because such feelings, just can’t be expressed, that’s all there is to it.

Crowd Catcher is a Clothes Horse!

Feb 9, 2012

Crowd Catcher is sporting her new wool cooling blanket and having a carrot treat for her great performance under saddle.

Bato Loco the Seahorse!

May 14, 2009

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

First Ride on Great Game!

Dec 19, 2011

OK—I know am jinxing myself—can feel it—am positive of it—but…… My girl has had a couple of very good days…..Sat brought her in and she was pretty tense and wound tacking her up but once she was outside and she trotted off a few of her nerves(she was under saddle) I hooked up the long…

Allegiant – SOLD! June 2009

Jun 15, 2009

OTTB Allegiant retires from Thoroughbred racing to begin her second career in dressage and eventing.

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!

Team “Splash Protect” Flourishing After First Year Together

Oct 3, 2008

Here is Splash Protect’s, “Finnegan’s”, long overdue success story. Well it’s been more than a year since I began my OTTB adventure. I must say that I am totally confident that I made the right decision, despite a lot of doubt in the beginning. We have been through some rough times, all of which was…

Vilas County Schools His First X-Country Jumps!

Mar 9, 2009

Vilas County understood directly what the game was about and as more we jumped as more he wanted to do. At the end he was really paying attention to see where the next jump is. I had great control over him and he never wanted to rush before or after the jumps. We jumped most jumps out of trot as this gives him more confidence right now.

Some Great Firsts

Mar 7, 2009

I can now say that my high-strung, drama queen Thoroughbred is calmer than a wild burro! Wanting to introduce Aly to his supposed to be future pasture buddy, the burro,Junior, I held Aly’s halter in the big pasture, while my dad held the burro; I walked up to them, Aly was pretty calm, eager to reach out and meet the burro, the burro was very stolid and looked suspicious, as soon as Aly reached out to touch noses and say hi, the burro wheeled around and freaked out; dad got him calmed down and we tried again several times. Then, Aly being quite laid back through all the ruckus, moved forward again, this time just to munch a piece of grass off the ground, as he did he hit a piece of the siding on the shop and it set the burro off like an explosive! he started backing up and pulling my dad across the pasture Aly, on a medium longish lead, just turned slowly, but interestedly around, as if to say, “wow this is entertaining, what is that crazy animal getting himself worked up about??” Seriously, Aly’s attitude really seemed like that, his eye was relaxed, head down, leg cocked, and totally at ease, in a pasture that, even in a halter, he was freaking out in the day before. I was very proud of my boy.

Always a Thrill – Another Former OTTB’s First Canter

Oct 5, 2008

We cantered for the first time today! I was inspired watching “Hollywood” and his mom, Cherie, as they cantered for the first time, they looked so happy working together. Bubs and I just had to try it. We needed the lunge line to get there but with Elizabeth’s encouragement, Bubba went forward like a champ.…

First Ride on an Off-the-Track Thoroughbred

Mar 28, 2010

Tips and tricks to riding your new off-the-track Thoroughbred.