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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Rack & Roll – Nothing Scares Dance to the Wire

Mar 12, 2012

The thing that has impressed me the most about Dance to the Wire is how quick he learns and takes to new things. You can really see the gears in his head turning as he thinks things through before deciding if it’s worth a reaction….so far not much has bothered him.

Brother Ron Settles In at Home

Nov 25, 2010

Brother Ron settled in so well at his new home.  He is a nice paddock by himself for now so that he can have all the hay he wants, but also has his friends right on the other side of the fence.  He let the other horses push him around, being the sweet boy he…

Votive – Groundwork, Schroundwork. Let’s Ride!

Aug 3, 2008

Just wanted to let you all know I have backed Votive, finally! We have done much groundwork in the month that has passed. We have a great bond with each other and I feel she completely trusts me 100%. We have now had two days of being ridden very easily. Yesterday I had someone hold…

“Marvin’s” First Ride – Me Tru(ly) Wonderful

Oct 20, 2009

I am totally, completely, crazily in love with Me Tru (aka Marvin). He is everything that Becky said he was…and so much more.

Brett’s First A Show Gives Him the Blues

Jul 25, 2010

Brett and I went to our first A show this weekend. Blistering heat–105 degrees. He was wonderful, and we got a nice ribbon in the equitation class.

Judi

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.

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.

“Tru’ly Amazing” – “Marvin’s” Brother Arrives at His New Home

Dec 30, 2009

I had a group of friends with me tonight celebrating Tru Native’s arrival. Not ONE of them could believe he was a OTTB! This is one of the biggest Thoroughbreds I have ever seen.

Nothing Scary as Ghost Quietly Canters

Oct 19, 2008

Cantered Casper today, both ways of the arena! He’s a little unbalanced, but has a delightful, “up” canter and is quiet, quiet, quiet. He is absolutely fabulous. Lesli

“Qu” was a Good Boy This Christmas!

Dec 28, 2008

Hope everyone made it through the Holidays alright. The horses must have all been very good because Santa left 20 lbs of carrots for them! “Qu” did not know what a carrot was and wouldn’t take a piece until I finally corrupted him 2 days ago. Since he’s a youngster I of course won’t overdo…

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!

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.