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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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.
Maverick on the Move!
His ground manners and patience are all improving. He’s been taught to be hobbled. I only did this because he was getting to be such a handful camping and on big trail rides, I feared for his saftey and didn’t trust him not to jump to get with the herds. He struggled some, but quickly learned to calm himself. The Sunday afternoon following the Saturday that he was first hobbled it actually paid off in an unexpected way.
Construction’s Checklist: Canters (check), Crosses Creeks (check), Coups (check) and Carrots (check, check, check….)
“Gus” (Construction) is so incredibly happy with his new career and new home at Bits & Bytes Farm. His personality comes out more and more everyday and I absolutely adore him. He has recently perfected the art of rolling (every single inch of his body gets covered with dust) and decided he has a LOVE…
Barnwoodbo Begins New Training Regime
It is hard to believe it is the middle of October already and we have had Bo for five weeks. We have been busy. My friend Staci had the last of the fall shows and her older event horse came up lame. Old age gets us all eventually. I guess the timing is perfect since…
“Rappin” on the Trails with an OTTB
Rap It Up went out for his first trail ride on Monday and he did great. We have several trails that include hills, creek crossings, ditches, logs, etc. and he passed his first test with flying colors. I took him out by himself (therefore no pictures, sorry) and he took everything in stride.
Brett’s 2010 End of Year Wrap Up
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…
Love at First Meeting!
….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.
Slower 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.
Anamericansoldier Gets Some TLC
OTTBs need TLC. Be sure to get your new off-the-track Thoroughbred looked over by a dentist, vet and farrier. A little TLC and get your new Thoroughbred started off right to a great new career.
Living the Life of “Riley” at His First Recognized Horse Trial
One year off-the-track, Golds Anatomy placed second in his first recognized Area X Horse Trials. The dressage rings were actually on a race track and he didn’t bat an eye!
German Import Gets American Thoroughbred
As soon as it was certain, that we were going to move from Munich in Germany to Huntsville, Alabama, I started searching for the “perfect” horse on the other side of the world…. and soon got hooked on 4 year old Rule My Heart. It took some time, but then Heart finally moved from Kentucky to Alabama, almost a week before we would actually be moving. So here I was with a horse, I had never seen in real life and which I would not even be able to welcome home, since his new home was still not my new home.
Shelby’s Hill Competes in USEA Horse Trials
“Ping” came 3rd in Beginner Novice at UNH’s USEA horse trials.