First OTTB Success Stories for FIRST RIDEFIRST SHOWFIRST SUCCESS STORYFIRST TRAIL RIDEFIRST FOX HUNT
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.
Brat Maverick Arrives at Bits & Bytes Farm
Brat Maverick aka former Prospect Horse -“Maverick” has arrived at Bits & Bytes Farm to meet his new mom Jodi Penn. We took a tour of Kentucky and Ohio to see the fall foliage and to pick up Brat Maverick. It was a whirlwind weekend of fun. Brat Maverick met his new mom today! Be…
Read More about Brat Maverick Arrives at Bits & Bytes FarmSlower Thoroughbreds and “Ghosts” to the Right Please
Rode Familiar Ghost for the first time today. He’s absolutely wonderful. Taking it slow, slow, slow. Will be emailing you for advice. Thank you again–so very much.
Read More about Slower Thoroughbreds and “Ghosts” to the Right PleaseCortableau Gets a Mom!
Cortableau spent a few days of well earned R&R at the Bits & Bytes Farm “Spa” where he received laser treatments, stretching exercises and lunging. He learned to eat grass and run free again! And he chilled with the other ex-racers on the farm who, we’re sure, told him that his racing days were over. Stevie Loverboy chatted with “Bleau” over the fence, “There’s no track here. These people are nice.” By the time his new mom Laura arrived on Friday he was feeling good and ready to meet his new family.
Read More about Cortableau Gets a Mom!Cadence Steps Up to First Show Challenges
I am so proud of Cadence! He was a trooper…after a very rocky start. It took four people two hours to load him on the trailer, which is completely out of character for him because he usually walks right on. This was the first time he’s ever seriously challenged authority, but in the end he did get on. He just was in a very sour mood – charging, throwing his weight into people, even after lunging…finally had to have one of my trainer friends put him in his place and then he loaded. On the return home, he loaded on the second try, no problems.
Read More about Cadence Steps Up to First Show ChallengesWell Worth the Wait – First Ride!
The first real ride went very well. He walked and trotted without a care in the world. I will be taking Behren to meet my trainer for the first time on the 21st.
Read More about Well Worth the Wait – First Ride!Hollywood Vic and Cheri’s First Canter is Thrilling!
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…
Read More about Hollywood Vic and Cheri’s First Canter is Thrilling!Da’Boyz First Horse Show
I took Dakota Spirit and Chilletecaux to a schooling show at Ashland Farm. They were so good. First time in the horse show atmosphere had them big eyed and on their toes. Even laid back Dakota got an extra burst of energy! We did two show jump classes each as I didn’t want to over do it the first time away from home jumping.
Read More about Da’Boyz First Horse ShowGold’s Anatomy – Ready Set Show!
Former race horse, Gold’s Anatomy is coming along really nicely and we are taking him to his first local schooling show the end of this month – less than two months off-the-track!
Read More about Gold’s Anatomy – Ready Set Show!Coastside’s First Ride – New Mom Full of Pride
I rode Coast today and was pleasantly surprised! I lunged him first then mounted him in the round pen and he was so patient! He stood for me to mount him and I actually had to work at getting him going. He is listening fairly well to both leg and vocal cues. I trusted him…
Read More about Coastside’s First Ride – New Mom Full of PrideFirst Ride on Whos Cindy Sue
Who’s Cindy Sue was very good…she quickly relaxed and we were able to walk and trot around the ring smoothly!
Read More about First Ride on Whos Cindy SueSome Great Firsts
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.
Read More about Some Great FirstsJune is a Doll
June (A June Affair) is an absolute doll and has settled in very well! She is one of the sweetest horses I have been around and her “racehorse” ground manners are improving tremendously! I did get on her this weekend for the first time and she was as good as I could have hoped for. …
Read More about June is a Doll