OTTB Success Stories

Hey,

I don’t do well with too much time on my hands… with a few lovely days my boys are ready for more. They are on track for a x-c school given they seem bored with small SJ at home – more dressage of course – but we have it ‘please let’s go play!’

Mother Nature has given me a day to bathe and clip my guys.

Dakota thought the clip was too ticklish until I went to his chin… thought he would push me – HA we went from easy (neck and head ohhh yes) to ticklish except he was still drying so tomorrow I’ll finish. He looks so proud of his ‘do’. Carrots, carrots, carrots. Tomorrow the back half of the body.
Chille didn’t think being bald with hairy legs was going to be fun but managed with out drugs… he just had to take some tickles… not quite as smooth as his stablemate but many pats was good enough. Funny that he liked the head part too. Oh and carrots.

Love Da’ Boyz,
Jane

Elizabeth,
So I have made the very hard decision to sell Ides Pride aka “Seary”. I have placed an add on Equine.com and my local Craigslist, but have had no luck. I as many other people have run into financial hardship and my hours have been cut and I am no longer able to afford her. I need to find a home for her as soon as possible. I was hoping that you would be able to help me find a forever home. She has been out of work since October. I started working her this week and she is still as great as ever. She is the most loving sensitive horse I have ever owned. I want to find her a home that will be able to bring her to her full potential. I have attached some photos from this fall and her first horse show at GMHA H/J show. She showed in the flat classes with 19 other well seasoned horses. Anything you can do to help would be great. See Ides Pride’s pedigree. See the earlier Ides Prides Success Stories on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site. Ides Pride is located in Vermont. Contact Kacy LaBerge at (802)373-9789 or by e-mail: ridenblue01@yahoo.com

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Stevie Loverboy and Missy Miller learn new lessons together.

I am finally sitting down to write a long overdue update about Loverboy…I say overdue because we have been so productive and had so many great moments in the last few months that I don’t know where to begin!  Due to a run of sick kids, rain, and wicked cold weather, I actually suffered through a 2 week stretch without a single day in the saddle…needless to say, it was a very big “Mom Moment” when the next time I saddled up, I was able to hop right on Loverboy without even longeing him and he was amazing!

We have also started trying to do regular weekly lessons with Alice with the goal of trying to do a horse show, and not embarrass ourselves, by the end of the year.  Loverboy seems to really enjoy the work and the variety and is responding so well. . . Read the rest of this entry »

Veterinarian, Rebecca Kestle, fullfills her dream of owning a horse again.

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.

Every five years or so I would try and get back  into riding but it just never panned out.  There was so much going on in my life, raising children, running a business, showing dogs.   A high school friend bought a horse two years ago and invited me to go riding at Bits & Bytes Farm.   I finally found a place I could go and ride, unwind after a busy day, and totally get into a better state of mind.

I rode a few horses and fell in love with Foxy (Pride of the Fox).  He has plenty of get up and go but he is the ultimate gentleman.  He has the kindest eye that just look right through you.   We have just started taking some basic dressage lessons and what a transformation he is making with just minor adjustments in my hands and seat.  We also love riding in the woods, love jumping small obstacles and we are looking forward to a hunter pace or maybe more.

I can’t thank Elizabeth and Barry enough for such a wonderful horse/friend.  Now I do have to tell you that I at first considered Foxy like a big dog because he is just so sweet.  I am having to relearn horse behavior and having a good time learning Equine Veterinary Medicine.  Life is just one HUGE lesson and I am a willing student.

Rebecca Kestle, DVM

Rebecca Kestle, DVM is a breeder of Akitas. Fern is Foxy's sister.

Today at the barn, Fern meeting Foxy and vice versa. Both got chiropractic adjustments.  Fern had a great time!!

Jenscott Akitas Scandal and Relic playing in the snow.

Rebecca Kestle, DVM is a breeder of Akitas. Jenscot Akitas in Marietta, GA has had many champion Akitas. Here are two of her dogs playing in the snow this weekend. Dr. Rebecca’s vet clinic is Centre Court Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Springs, GA (Atlanta).

Outflankem enjoys the 24" of snow even if his mom doesn't!

I’m sure you’ve heard the Mid-Atlantic got walloped with a storm Friday into Saturday.  My area got 24″! We’re all hanging in, and the horses don’t seem to be nearly as miserable as I would think they would be.  Here’s a beautiful shot of Bailey, aka Outflankem, from about an hour ago.

Outflankem

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I was hoping to get some pictures of Fast Commander today at a lesson, but my husband was needing the digital camera for something he was doing. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some soon to send. “Commander” is great and seems to retain everything despite erratic schedules. He has jumped up to 3ft in lessons. He has really become more coordinated & athletic as he has matured, and he has gotten quite good in his lateral work. Anywhere we go, someone asks, “How big is he?” (17HH & still all legs.) He’s a pleasure to ride & I think he has a ton of talent. Of course, we still have lots to learn as he is not truly five yet. We are starting to think about Spring show schedules and wish for the end of a cold Winter.

I hope all is happy & healthy with you guys.
Stephanie

Tru Native and his herd leader Lauren Wittkop.

Hi Elizabeth,

Just a quick email to let you know how SUPER Truman is coming along this last week. He is even now accepting lunging with side-reins (very loose) with some cantering. He is getting stronger, balanced and more confident each day. I will be sending off another success story in the next week or so with new pictures of me riding and trotting.

I haven’t seen the story I sent you early last week up on the website but will keep checking. I love your website and look at it everyday, it is so interesting to look up different horses success stories and read them. It’s addicting and fun…

Have a great day, and I will keep in touch with a new “Tru” story soon. I just love him!

Best,
Lauren

Elizabeth’s Note: OK. OK. Lauren is really applying the lessons on training I shared with her. She is making it difficult for me because I have not gotten her Tru Native Success Stories up on the site! Lauren’s stories really give insight to how easy it is to train an off-the-track Thoroughbred if you understand some basic natural horsemanship concepts. Go back and read Tru Native’s Success Stories from the beginning and see how Lauren has learned to become the herd leader.

Hi Elizabeth,

Happy New Year to you too!  Goldie is well and was going great before all this snow.  He’s got a really good start, though, so Laura’s trainer thinks a break will be fine. The Pony Club is planning on doing some clinics down in Phoenix next month to get everyone started again, if we can get down the mountain by then. Laura is still planning on eventing Beginner Novice on him early June.

Goldie (Gold’s Anatomy) is so funny in the snow. He and his buddy Ice love the cold weather and and play across the fence all the time. I think they’re getting cabin fever and their blankets are getting the worst of it. That part isn’t funny.  Well, only had to snowshoe out to feed twice so I guess it could be worse.

Hope all is well with you guys, thought I heard you had snow.  Didn’t even know it snowed there.  Stay warm!

Leslie

Elizabeth’s Note: When you read about having to put on snowshoes to go feed the horses it makes our Georgia snow and ice seem silly! See our Winter Wonderland photos of winter at Bits & Bytes Farm.

Austin's Wolf is successful at 3'

Hi all!
This weekend Austin’s Wolf and I did our second 3′ show to get more experience under our belts.

We were not as fit as I would have liked – holidays and family visits through off our schedule and we did not have a show in December.

Started with a Friday night schooling in gale force winds with about 15 horses in the ring all jumping every which way…..  took us longer working than I wanted to settle.

Saturday was a nice day and we had a couple good rounds….

Sunday we were both tired and had two flat classes and a couple more over fences.

We placed, but not as well as I would have liked the second day……

Attached are a couple of pictures from my resident photographer Josh.

Hugs to everyone!
Laurie

Austin’s Wolf now has a Photo Gallery with Albums show all his winning pictures.
Be sure to read all of  Austin’s Wolf’s Success Stories.