OTTB Success Stories » Eleanor’s Groom

Snow Days Mean Slow Days for Eleanor’s Groom

Editor — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:59:15 +0000

The horse (Eleanor’s Groom) is doing great, gaining weight and figuring out his place in the herd. No new bites for a couple of weeks now! He’s happy. My husband (the equine vet, specializing in dental) did a number on him. He had some caps that needed to be pulled and one weird tooth that we are watching that shouldn’t be coming in this early but is! We have snow now so I’m not riding much but he was terrific on our rides until now. He’ll learn to be a real horse this winter and in the spring we’ll start up for serious.

Eleanor’s Groom Moves “Beyond the Track”

Editor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:58:34 +0000

The Groom (Eleanor’s Groom) is today figuring out his first probable snowfall…three inches! Supposed to melt today and we’ll have another week of warm, sunny fall, I hope. I ponied him through the creek the other day, no problem, guess he’s learned from drinking out of the lake! He’s very smart and a quick study.

The book, “Beyond the Track”, is a good insight into the world of living at the track, the distractions, training, etc. I think it is more geared toward someone who has not started young horses before. Groom is my fourth OTTB (they’ve all been sane and quiet – I think you’re right, it depends on the trainers). I have not really treated Groom differently than the other young horses I’ve started (and there haven’t been all that many!). So I guess I’m saying if a person has some experience in young horses, you don’t need a book! But I had good help on my first OTTB and if you don’t know how they have been started for the track, the book is helpful. It was comforting to me, though, to know that I was already doing most of what was said in the book.

Lydia

Runaway Groom – I think not.

Admin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:36:55 +0000

I’m forwarding some pics my daughter took of me and my new groom.

Lydia Dequine and her "Groom" - OTTB Eleanor's Groom

I’m having a wonderful time with him. We had our first canter today! He is very quiet (hasn’t done anything stupid at all!), smart and willing. In fact, I’m reading the book “Beyond the Track” and he doesn’t fit in at all!

We are having a fabulous long fall and I’m so pleased to be able to spend lots of time with him. He’s even growing some hair in preparation for winter and gaining some weight. With front shoes he is much less tender and seems to be moving much better. He’s turned out 24/7 with nine other horses, has learned to drink out of the lake and seems to think he’s died and gone to heaven. The book talks about stress (and I’m sure some of these guys are) but my Groom is happy and mellow! Thank you. And I’ll stop raving now.

I look on the website frequently and love reading all the good info…thank you. And thank you for Eleanor’s Groom!

Lydia Dequine

Lydia Dequine and her "Groom" - OTTB Eleanor's Groom

See new photos of Eleanor’s Groom in his OTTB Success Stories Photo Gallery.

No Snow Shoes for this Groom

Admin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:21:24 +0000

Thanks for the reply and the helpful hints – I have been reading your training tips on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site. Eleanor’s Groom came without shoes and with the amount of snow we get here (and probably quite soon) I am leaving him barefoot. He does go much better on the grass. I’ll stay in touch…he’s a very sweet horse, thank you so much, and I’m spreading the word!

What Every Woman Wants – a Great “Groom”!

Editor — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:29:27 +0000

I just wanted to let you know how delighted I am with my “Mail Order Groom”. He is beautiful, and seems very quiet and sane and very sweet! I’ve not done much with him as he seems a little stiff and footsore (my farrier has also trimmed him), just some ground work, a little lunging and some ponying around the ranch…he even quietly stepped over some small logs, a few ditches and even the little tires…he did, of course, balk at the creek crossing (no fireworks or anything, just planted feet and a worried look) but he’ll be turned out very soon in the hayfields and will have to drink out of the lake…I’m sure the other horses will tease him until he gets it!

Elizabeth’s Note: Many times farriers trim the Thoroughbred foot too short. They have thin hoof walls and usually the feet need to grow out to be trimmed properly. The important thing to do is just get off the racing plates (with the dangerous toe grabs) and get regular steel shoes on to support the foot as it is growing. Little trimming is usually done at the first shoeing off the track.

And another subject that causes difficulties. . .

Elizabeth’s Note: As for the creek crossing . . . this is always the hardest thing for them to understand. They are not familiar with running water or having to walk through it. It sometimes helps to take them through a very wide and shallow creek to teach them that it will not harm them. A small creek is hard because they want to jump it to keep it from “biting them”. Groundwork will teach them to trust you and your horse will soon do whatever you ask because you have built up that bond.