OTTB Success Stories

Archive for the ‘Irish Morning Mist’ Category

So I celebrated yet another wonderful year with Irish (Irish Morning Mist) the other day. I brought him his favorite treats and we went on a nice bareback ride with just a lead rope through the pastures. As I was sitting on him I couldn’t help but smile remembering the anxious, stubborn, single minded horse I had met in 2005. He, correction we, have come a long way since our first meeting. I trust and love this horse more than anything in this world. Nothing will ever keep us apart again. Hoping to see you guys soon.

Megan and the big I man (Irish Morning Mist)

Hi E,

I was catching up on your website and on all the news and saw that you needed a refreshing reminder of the beauty and love these thoroughbreds bring to our lives. I wish we could save them all too, I would have many if I could. I just wanted to take the time to thank you for finding Irish and giving him the chance you did. I don’t know where I would be without him.

Irish Morning Mist & Megan Brown

Although it was journey for him, he is still the light and happiness that keeps me moving forward through hard times. I have never bonded as much with an animal, or person, as I have with Irish. He seems to tell me “its OK” whenever I feel lost or sad. I recently went through a bad break up with my boyfriend of two and half years and Irish was the one person there for me (well horse.. same thing). I would just go out to the barn and bathe him or hand walk him up and down the drive way, even just sit in his stall, and he would just put his head in my arms and helped me release all the anger and sadness that had piled up inside of me. I haven’t felt like training so I would just get on with halter and lead rope and walk around and he would step carefully and take care of me.

He is my precious jewel. The light in my darkness. I know we all lose hope and strength and break down every once and a while. But horses like Irish Morning Mist and So Romeo are the ones who push us to stride forward.

I thank you again for saving Irish and every other horse that you have helped give a second chance. And I know for a fact Irish thanks you too. For giving him the chance to know that there is good in this world and to know that one person can care for him more than anything else in the world.

I think these low moments make us stronger and show us the kindness and friendship these horses bring to our lives.

God Bless,
Megan and Irish (Best Friends)

This is one of the most special success stories on this site. Irish Morning Mist was a handful when he came off the track. He had to mature and grow up and while he did this, Megan did also. She lost Irish once and got him back again. Megan and Irish will always be very special highlights in the Bits & Bytes Farm success stories. Thank you Megan for turning the tables and helping me get through a rough spot. – Elizabeth

Irish got a new figure eight bridle, breast plate, and girth for his birthday!

Well Irish Morning Mist and I had a fun filled weekend attending the progressive show jumping horse show in Aiken. It was “I-Man’s” first show back and our goal was to just get use to the atmosphere and all the commotion. He was very behaved and seem to enjoy the courses and jumps that he was faced with. Although he still has some kinks to work on, like the camera guy isn’t going to attack him and that the timers aren’t scary monsters, he is steadily progressing. We did the 2′6″ and 3′ classes to raise his confidence and as something he could easily handle. All the trainers had their eye on him and think he will be a real competitor within a few months. We plan on taking a break from showing till the end of August just because the heat is awful. I will definitely keep you guys updated as we continue down the road of success!

Happy riding!
Megan and the I-Man (Irish Morning Mist)

See more photos from the horse show.

Quick update with Irish (Irish Morning Mist). We had our best lesson today. He decided jumpers was fun and put his whole heart into it. I was so amazed and he galloped strong to every jump. He told me he was ready today so we have some shows lines up. We will be doing the PSJ series and will be in South Carolina at the end of May and twice in June. I’m only doing the 2′6″ to 2′9″ because I want him to be completely confident and of course have fun. I plan on taking videos and pictures so will send tons!!

Also, I’m looking for a horse trailer so if You ever see a good deal on a extra large extra wide let me know!

Thanks.

Megan and the I-man!

Irish is doing well and looks great. His dapples are better then ever.

I will try to send you a video of one of our jumping lessons soon. He is turning into a real jumper. You would be impressed at how well he can move in and out of the jumps. Irish also has a girlfriend named Princess. It’s a little mini. It’s so cute!

Hope all is well.

Megan

Hey,

I wish I could go to Rolex. Irish and I have decided to spend one more month training before we show. I’d rather him be 100% confident and so I’m taking it slow with him. He has learned so much and I am just now working on putting all the pieces together. The trainer here loves how brilliant he is and is supporting us with a slow and steady program. I also don’t want to spend the money to go show when he’s not ready. I do know there is a small A show in June were going to try to make and we plan on attending a jumper rally in Aiken. I’ll keep you updated on the showing -  slow and steady is my theory with him.

I will be here at GSU next year and this summer working on the pre-vet program. I’m looking at a few schools for vet but still have some time.

Have fun at Rolex.

Meg and I-man

Well it has been a very VERY long journey for Irish (Irish Morning Mist) and I. However, I came to realize that my life was not the same without him and it so happened that I was given the opportunity to get him back. He is very happy to be back with his mom and I could not be happier. I am now in a much more secure place in my life and don’t think I could ever give my I-man up EVER again. We have plans to start showing at the end of March and will be either moving to Florida in the summer or back to the Atlanta area (it all depends on how a few things fall into place).

School is doing great and I have a schedule where I am able to ride six days out of the week. Irish is eating up the attention and is happier then i have ever seen him. This experience has shown me that no matter what, if things are meant to be, they will (even if it means a few detours along the way). I will send plenty of updates and pics as Irish and I begin our new journey together.

Thanks and hope all is well,
Megan and Irish

Irish Morning Mist has had several moms – all of whom loved him. Unfortunately, situations in their lives caused them to give up the horse they loved. Megan Brown was one of the moms who gave him up and later was able to pursue getting him back again. She loves this horse and it is our hope that she will continue to be a part of his life. Read the rest of the Irish Morning Mist story on our Spotlight on Irish Morning Mist page.

Christmas came early for Irish. Santa brought him a new bridle replete with brow band bling.

Irish is doing wonderfully! His trot has come a long way and is incredible – forward and flowing. We are now working on his canter. Trying to convince him to use that BIG hind end of his! He’s getting it! I decided to jump him for the first time to see if I could find that nice canter and low and behold there it was, so I know it’s in him! He LOVES to jump! His whole demeanor changed once we started. We were both smiling going over the jumps!

We only did 2-2’3. I haven’t jumped in a while, so it’s a good starting point for both of us and it’ll be nice to progress together. I never would have thought he lacked confidence. He took me right to the jump like a champ. Didn’t flinch, look, etc. I hope to take him to a jumping clinic and schooling show in January.

He’s put on some weight and his top line is coming along. He also hasn’t spooked or been worried about anything lately. He’s really settled in. He comes right to me when I get to the pasture gate and always waits patiently at the end of our ride for me to put carrots in his feed dish. I also gave him a jolly ball and he can’t stop playing with it! He can be such a sweet goof!

Alison

Well it’s been a week and we “found” Irish hidden beneath his stubborn façade. My trainer rode him and I rode him a couple of times and finally yesterday we got a break through! He tested us pretty good, BUT he couldn’t stand us persistently asking him “to listen”, and finally we saw the “schoolmaster” that we knew he was! It was beautiful! Even his “eye” changed. The first couple of days he had a “hard” eye and yesterday and today his eye was so soft and relaxed.
Read the rest of this entry »

Irish and new mom Alison get to work right away

Irish looks good. We started him on a good feeding program (CarbSafe, beet pulp and corn oil). My farrier and dentist are coming this week. We had our first lesson today and it was great! We worked on the ground for half the lesson, then I got on and did some walk, trot, and halt work. Didn’t do too much. I plan on working with him every day. Bought new blankets and cooler for him. He’s bigger than Judge (Judging Dreams)!

Alison