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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Dreams Do Come True

Feb 19, 2010

Having a horse and riding again after many years is a dream come true. I was so lucky to have a wonderful horse growing up, I rode just about every day from middle school through high school. I even was able to take my horse to college with me. When I went to veterinary school, I gave up riding and started showing dogs.

Coastside’s First Ride – New Mom Full of Pride

Dec 20, 2008

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…

Coin Maker Makes Friends at New Home

May 18, 2007

Hi Elizabeth,  I just wanted to let you know that Coin Maker is doing great.  We had him by himself for a couple of days,  then in a pasture with our “baby” horses (2 3-year-olds and 1 2-year-old).  Yesterday,  we let him out with everyone and,  other than the usual antics,  everyone is getting along…

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.

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. . .

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.

Brat Maverick Arrives at Bits & Bytes Farm

Oct 19, 2009

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…

Mary Misbehavin Meets Her Mom

Nov 6, 2011

Leslie made it home this weekend for the first time since August and finally got to meet Mary Violet (Mary Misbhavin). It was mutual love at first real sight. MV is super sweet. Leslie rode her in the round pen – trotted and cantered, and they did great! We’re going to ride in the big arena today. I just wanted to get you some pictures.

Sunny is BIG!

Sep 23, 2010

Sunny, now known as “Mr. Big (Big for short 🙂 ” due to how handsome he is and how confident he is in himself, haha, is doing really well!! I LOVE this horse, I bought him as a re-sale project but he has so much potential that it looks like I will probably end up…

Chipawild Does Well in “Traffic”

Sep 14, 2009

Walk, trot and canter on the lunge and walking and trotting under saddle. Chipawild is getting used to having “traffic” in the ring with her.

One Year Off-The-Track – Look How Far We’ve Come

Jul 10, 2010

Amanda and Allegiant have come a long way in one year. Thank you Amanda for showing us what can be done with a little love and a lot of hard work. We are very proud of this young pair. Read more of Allegiant’s Success Stories.

Allegiant – SOLD! June 2009

Jun 15, 2009

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