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We’ve been working on riding and communication fundamentals so Bubba and I better understand one another. Maintaining a consistent cadence, proper pressure on the outside rein, not putzing around in the ring – either work or stand still and rest. In addition, Bubs has matured into a pretty sturdy sport horse, good muscle, using his hind end. So I felt we were ready to canter.

A few tips from Elizabeth and Darylene on how to tell Bubba to canter and we were off, off to the moon! Bubba went into this lovely, incredibly strong (and a little quick) motion and I whoohoo’d as we went around the ring. This quick turn around the ring clicked some button in my plain, small, fuzzy, long maned brown pony and this incredible creature of motion and power appeared.

We next trotted and as I took hold of the reins, he happily dug in and we went round and round with an extended trot I had not previously seen. An amazing door opened for my partner and I, and I think I need to step it up to keep pace with my special boy.

I’m sure everyone has these moments and I’m glad we have the Success Stories to share them. I wish more people had an opportunity to enjoy these incredible horses – whatever their talents and abilities. A great ride is hard to beat but we all look forward to the next topper, don’t we?
-Melanie Eberhardt

Order an original illustration of your special pet for Christmas today!

Bubba’s mom Melanie Eberhardt is also a fine artist. She is offering to do pencil illustrations of your special pet for Christmas gift giving. Prices start at just $10! Give an original artwork as a Christmas gift – it will be treasured forever. Learn more about this on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site and on Pet Portraits at YOUR Price and Melanie’s Web site. She wants to people to have a way to honor their special pets, to share their stories and to promote original art.

OTTB Lynn's Vision opens his eyes to a more exciting life after racing

A year ago today, I stood in the driveway at Bits & Bytes Farm and fell in love with a small, plain brown race horse. Lynn’s Vision aka Bubba – perfection. He was that first day and a year later, perfection is only topped off with whip cream and a cherry on top. I love Bubba and every minute getting to know this little character.

Bubba is a prize. He never shies, spooks, scoots, bucks (when you’re riding) or rears. He will go anywhere you ask – across the creek, over a large sheet of plastic, between narrow spaces. He stands perfectly still while I mount and waits to move when I say go. He’s been like this since our first ride – the day after his last race. Anything I ask of him, on the ground or riding, I hear him say “ok, that’s cool”!

He has a beautiful long mane and forelock and I refuse to have them pulled. I know it’s unseemly for a Thoroughbred, but Bubs and I don’t care. He stretches like a cat in the cross ties – so deeply, his chest is only a foot or two off the ground. Elizabeth taught him to bow in about 10 seconds. He is careful to not step on the barn cats and dogs. He will do ANYTHING for a carrot. He’s extremely smart in a quiet way – which is his way and his nature.

Melanie will draw your pet's portrait - you name the price you can pay. Melanie wants your pet's special story to appear on her Web site: petportraitsatyourprice.wordpress.com

Melanie is quite talented as an artist. She helps update this Web site and she has three Web sites of her own: www.melanieeberhardt.com
eberhardtworking.wordpress.com and the newest Web site: petportraitsatyourprice.wordpress.com

Bubs does have his issues. He’s very sensitive to someone being mean or abrupt with him – horse or people. He will pout something awful. He has crushes on a handful of horses at Bits & Bytes Farm, but others don’t even warrant a glance. He is a committed cribber and doesn’t mind wearing a collar which only mitigates his determination. When he gets a little anxious riding, he will chew on his bit – if they had horse bubble gum, he’d never be without.

One time, someone else tried to ride him and Bubs would have none of it. He had a tantrum, backing, spinning, ears pinned, hateful glares while they tried to mount. It was a startling contrast to my experience – but the guy has lines in the sand that are not to be crossed! While that behavior was dreadful, I appreciate that he has an opinion. To me it means he’s thinking about stuff and that’s the kind of horse I want for my riding partner.

He’s been a super patient teacher as I learn to ride better and with softer hands. And he makes progress with every work out as he transitions from a forward race horse to a settled sport horse. His riding protests are minimal and less and less frequent. And in those moments where we’re soft, bending and trotting – he floats across the ring so lightly, I can’t feel his feet hit the ground. It’s like riding a cloud.

And I love being part of Bits & Bytes Farm. Elizabeth and Barry have been invaluable advisers. I’ve had horses at home for 20 years but never been in a barn with friends. I learn something every single time I’m at the barn. And Bubba loves a hubbub. The busier the weekend activities, the happier he is to be in the center of it all.

We’ve just started lessons and in the coming year we will continue working on our dressage moves (and learning to jump small obstacles). Hopefully by Spring we’ll be ready for our first schooling show and our first score! I think Bubs has a great deal of potential and we have plenty of time to build on our relationship and skills every time we’re together.

If I made a list of attributes for the perfect horse, Bubba would check off every item. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have this small, plain brown horse – He is the bright spot in my life!

Melanie Eberhardt

I am amazed at the intelligence of Thoroughbreds and in particular, my little Bubba (Lynn’s Vision). 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.

Then Elizabeth came over and said “Hey Bubba remembers Apache!”

I asked “Why would Bubba remember Apache? Were they in the pasture together today?”

Elizabeth laughed and said “No, Apache was Bubba’s lead pony at the track. He remembers him from the track!”

I almost fell over. Bubba hasn’t raced since early last summer. He sees horses all the time and hasn’t been as obssesively interested in anyone else. But by golly, Elizabeth was right. He remembered Apache and the security he afforded Bubba at the track as his lead pony. Wow!

–Melanie (”Bubba’s” Mom”)

Horses, and especially Thoroughbreds, attach themselves to their special friends whether human or horse. I have experienced the heartbreaking screams of horses left behind as the trailer with their special buddy leaves the farm. It was a joy to see Bubba and Hollywood Vic both recognize Apache Brave who was their pony horse at the track. “Apache” was their rock when they were young colts going to the track for the first time. Even after almost a year apart, both horses recognized their faithful companion. — Elizabeth

Bubba aka Lynn's Vision hanging at the gate after our bitless adventure

“Bubba” (Lynn’s Vision) and I tried to ride with a hackamore today. We decided to try going bitless. His new teeth are making his mouth a little sore and he hasn’t learned yet to put down his head and my hands are not very soft. So when we ride his nose is up and he’s chewing on the bit.

It’s a little hard to concentrate for both of us as we’re working through this stage. But I’m concerned that it will become a habit – “Bubba” has a tendency to be a bit OCD. So I consulted with Elizabeth and we decided that going bitless was a worthwhile experiment.

We rode around the ring for about five minutes, no big deal, but the longer we rode, the more confused “Bubba” seemed to get. I could hear him wondering what was I asking him to do? are we stopping? turning? and what’s this strange new pressure on my nose?

One of the traits I appreciate most about “Bubba” is that he simply wants to please. He’s cool about trying anything but the longer we walked about with the hackamore the more aggravated he was getting. So at the point he started walking sideways like a crab and doing the moonwalk, I switched back to his regular bridle and we enjoyed the rest of our ride.

We gave it a shot – going commando. It didn’t go badly, it was just a little confusing for “Bubs”. So we’ll try again, and again a few minutes at a time until it clicks. And we both look forward to the day when all his adult teeth are in place.

So I’ll start my post with a strong statement – “Bubs” is the best OTTB in the world! Sorry ya’ll. But let me explain.

Every time I ride “Bubba” I am amazed at his gentle disposition and willingness to communicate. Despite coming off the track only five months ago, where he was nick named “Bubba” for being a bit dim when he started training… he’s now a very patient teacher.

We’ve been walking a lot. Walking, bending, walking, bending, stopping, walking, bending. And I’m trying to keep the right about of tension on the reins – to find that spot that is most comfortable for “Bubs”. And it’s a pretty tight rein that he likes. But he still tosses his head. I actually think my hands are a little softer and giving, and some of his tossing is in expectation.

Bubba teaches his mom to be quieter with her hands

So today, Elizabeth showed me a technique where I crossed the reins like the jockeys do, took a two point stance, rested my fists on his withers and we started trotting. “Bub’s” head went right down and never moved. We went around the ring several times and through the ground poles. He was steady, his head was quiet and it felt great. It was actually very easy to steer and he was completely responsive.

So I guess my hands still need work. But we’ll ride like this for a while until I am steadier. And hopefully by summer we’ll be ready for our first dressage competition. I don’t care about ribbons but it will make me very pleased to ride past someone and hear them whisper – “look at the easy bend on that Thoroughbred”.

Melanie

Read more about our training session on getting your horse to relax and lower his head. You will find lots of training tips on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site.