Hounds Under Foot . . . No Problem for This OTTB
Hey Elizabeth,
I haven’t sent you an update on Rap It Up for a while, so I thought I’d send you a note to let you know how he is doing.
I took Rap foxhunting for his first time and my wife got to experience mounted foxhunting for her first time, and they both did great!
Sunday December 27th was a great day for us. I took Rap foxhunting for his first time and my wife got to experience mounted foxhunting for her first time, and they both did great! We hunted with my good friend David Hyman’s pack, Full Cry Hounds, and rode in the field. We started out in the back and as the day wore on moved closer to the front, Rap was completely unphased by all the activity going on, including hounds running literally under his feet. He has a big huge stride when galloping in open country and seemed to enjoy himself tremendously, several folks complimented me on his laid back attitude. I plan to give him one more test of riding in the field, then I will try him as a staff horse. Early indications are that he will have no problem making the transition.
Rap It Up at his first fox hunt
By the way, I have implemented your feed regimen and it is working out great for us. I use it for the “hard keepers” and they have all benefited from it. My Dad’s horse is sometimes a bit “hot” and since we started her on this new feed program she has been much more relaxed, much to our surprise!
I continue to be very pleased with Rap It Up and am glad that we made the decision to buy him. I’m sure it is quite a change for him going from the racing life to life on our farm, but he seems to be adjusting to it very well!
I am attaching a couple of pictures of our great day!
Happy New Year to you and Barry!
Sincerely,
David
Read more of Rap It Up’s Success Stories.
Elizabeth’s Note: Rap It Up came off-the-track in September 2009 and already he is fox hunting! Way to go David!
Feeding Thoroughbreds is different than feeding most horses. They have a higher metabolism and they need more calories. Calories from sugar and starch can make a horse hot. We feed our off-the-track Thoroughbreds a high fat and high fiber diet. Read more about Putting Weight on Thoroughbreds on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site. If your Thoroughbred is thin, make sure it is not because of worms and then give him more calories. We have a page on Feeding Thoroughbreds on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site as well.