Rocky Bear and Bits & Bytes Farm owner - Elizabeth
This Web site was created to tell the stories of the Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds Bits & Bytes Farm has sold. The Mission of Bits & Bytes Farm is to help sellers (of Thoroughbred racehorses for sale) to find buyers who have the ability to transition these horses to new careers. We offer assistance and guidance to make sure the horses we sell are successfully placed. Our Success Stories are proof that Thoroughbred racehorses make great sport horses and family members when their racing careers are over.
When a horse is purchased with the assistance of Bits & Bytes Farm, we require the new owners to stay in touch and provide us with updates. These updates are posted on our Success Stories pages so that the sellers of the horses know that their horses are doing well and have not gone back to racing or been slaughtered. The sellers care about these wonderful Thoroughbreds and they too enjoy reading about their horses' successful new careers. They often call or e-mail to thank us for finding a home for a horse they bred or trained. To learn more about Bits & Bytes Farm and our mission please visit our Web site at: www.BitsandBytesFarm.com.
Bits & Bytes Farm is to help sellers (of Thoroughbred racehorses for sale) to find buyers who have the ability to transition these horses to new careers. We offer assistance and guidance to make sure the horses we sell are successfully placed. Our Success Stories are proof that Thoroughbred racehorses make great sport horses and family members when their racing careers are over.
Be sure to visit our Facebook page, YouTube channel, websites and G+ page to learn more about Bits & Bytes Farm and the Thoroughbreds we have found second careers for. Links are at the top of this page. Enjoy!
Some 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.
Nearly Sent to Slaughter – Instead “Max” Brings Joy to New Owner
Matt’s Memo aka “Max” has found a new Mom! She’s a teenaged girl who fell in love with “Max’s” picture on his ad (funny, I can really sympathize with her there), and once she saw “Max”, apparently the feelings were mutual. She gave him a huge hug, and he responded with some gentle nuzzling. We…
Ready to Show, Ready to Go!
After taking Bobby off the market pending Taylor’s getting to know him a bit, we feel he is ready to be considered by the right rider, so have placed him back on the market. His training and entries in competitions will continue until the right rider and home come along for him, and hopefully his competition record will reflect his obvious talent.
Always a Thrill – Another Former OTTB’s First Canter
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.…
Focus on the Important Things
We began in the arena with some ground work, where River has made tremendous progress (thanks to you, Barry and Daryleen). He worked so well off voice commands today and moved beautifully. We followed this up by a great ride, working on several dressage patterns.
A “Fat” Chance!
Finder’s Chance is doing fine. We are fattening him up for the winter. He has had light work this fall because of a strange injury that laid him up for a couple of weeks. He came in one day with a scrape on this fetlock and swelling and smelling like a skunk! Maybe he got…
OTTB Decorative Discovers his Flair as a Florist
OTTB Decorative took a few days to asses his new home and decides everything exactly to his liking. Well, except for a little redecorating in the ring.
Adventures of the “Mighty Kwinn”
Thought I would quickly update you on Kwinn and his adventures! The good news is that the famotidine appears to be working. Everyone agrees that Kwinn appears to be filling out and generally looking better. His new supplement (probiotic with antacid properties) arrived and he’s been started on that too. YEAH!!! But, my guy does…
Team Grayboo Takes a Winter Break from Competing
Amanda and Grayboo have had an up and down fall competition season. They finished well at training at River Glen in August. Cross-country was easy for Grayboo but he knocked one rail in stadium. He seems to get a little lazy sometimes and knocks a rail, but he hates to knock rails so he jumps…
Hey Dude – Don’t I Know You from Somewhere?
I am amazed at the intelligence of Thoroughbreds and in particular, my little Bubba. We went to the ring to ride and there was a spotted horse trotting around at the far end. Bubba couldn’t take his eyes off this horse. He kept angling to get closer and twisting to keep his eye on this fancy fella.