OTTB Success Stories

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Hi Elizabeth,

Been a while so I thought I’d check in. “Ping”  (Shelby’s Hill) is now 7, and a full 16 hands.  He has filled out and is beautiful.

After some work his feet are now great, and I hope to start his event training this year.  He is so talented in dressage he could just do that, but that is not all I want to do.  I long-lined him yesterday after not doing it for two years and he was just great.  I still toy with the idea of a bigger horse but he has a big heart.

Hope all is well.

Sarah Farnham

Hi Elizabeth,

I sure hope it was as beautiful in Canton as it was here! It took until about 11:00 for the dense fog to burn off and the sun to bring about a beautiful day. It hasn’t been this nice in forever it seems. I went and picked up some hay this morning and got back around lunch to prepare for my afternoon ride.

Lindy and I took our first of many long trail rides cross country. I’m guessing it may have been a first for her since she looked at everything. We rode up and down the hills, through the fields and on the trails through woods for about two hours. It was wonderful!!! She was very brave and very honest– no silly or thoughtless moves Lindy learned about stepping over logs and by the end of our ride she was a pro.

Our next outing will involve the little creek. Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you sooooo much for the phone call consultation two days ago and all the links about training, it has been a great education for me. Here is my story for the website success stories, and what a success it has turned out to be, thanks to you…

These last two weeks have been quite confusing and chaotic for both myself and Tru Native aka “Truman”. I was so busy being a loving and caring Mom to him, wanting him to feel comfortable in his new life, he figured that he needed to keep up his role of the “herd leader”. He could tell from day one immediately that I was not, which turned bad quite quickly as he is extremely intelligent!! Also, which did not help the situation was the training progressing WAY too fast, i.e., lunging with side reins, the lunge-line over the poll (which turned the bit into a gag!! OMG!!), and pushing him to try to canter on a 20 meter circle, all me, unknowingly, and my trainer’s mistakes, lead Truman to become very frustrated, upset and he even started throwing tantrums. So each day became worse and he started pushing me around, rearing on the lunge, getting in my space, and pulling away on the lunge-line, dragging my trainer all across the arena to the aisle door, pushing his way through each and every door or gate he could muster.

Tru Native Learns who is the "Tru Leader".

The one thing that did not change was his dynamic, sweet way he had to be so loving, he even calls out to me when I come into the barn. He never kicked out or was intentionally mean during all of this commotion, a sign that he is really a SUPER, level-headed horse. We definitely love each other tons, but I knew I needed the help of Elizabeth and something had to change. I never once, though, regretted buying this horse through all of this, because I knew I was doing something wrong and it could be corrected efficiently and quickly, if I just knew what it was!!!!

I needed to be the “HERD LEADER”!!!! and get tough and firm about his pushing me around. I had to give right back and even harder, and more swiftly than he gave. You know what, IT WORKED. He is so smart and a quick learner, and most of all wanted and needed a leader, almost seems relieved now. I have taught him to back up from doors and wait while I open them, and claim them as my own. He is to wait until I allow him to make a move, if he doesn’t he gets a HARD whack on the shoulder. It has only taken once or twice and now he is patient at gates and doors. He also stands completely still at the mounting block while I get on. And… waits for my signal to walk off.

Tru Native and his herd leader, Lauren.

In the beginning, before I talked with Elizabeth, when I rode off from the mounting block, he would turn and run back to the door that leads out to the aisle. I tried to turn him the other way, and it did work, but he always wanted to get back to that door and would protest, trying to scare me. After, my phone call with Elizabeth, we don’t have any of that anymore. I followed through with the HARD smack on the shoulder with a stiff crop when he would turn toward the door. Now, he has given that up, because he knows that he made the wrong CHOICE to do that and there is a consequence now. I let him CHOOSE to make the right decision and praise like crazy, or the wrong decision followed with annoying him anyway I can. He has been so much fun to ride, even though we still swerve a bit, but he is getting better everyday!! No cantering yet, just getting him stronger and happy in his work.

I know the road ahead will be filled with new obstacles, but I know have a great support system in Elizabeth and this time won’t hesitate to call for help and not wait until things get so bad. So, Tru is still my baby but a baby with rules, regulations, and limitations. I have learned that every time I go into his stall, I am teaching him something and have to be consistent from the get-go for him to become a good-horse-citizen!! I am so happy with his progress and am so proud of myself. You were right, Elizabeth, I can do this myself. Your encouragement means the world to me!!

Attached are some new photos of us and my first “official” ride as Truman’s boss.

New Herd Leader,
Lauren

Elizabeth’s Note: Wow! I wish everyone could read this Success Story and learn from it. Off-the-track Thoroughbreds are no different than any other horse breed when it comes to training. The natural horsemen trainers all say the same thing. It is most important that you to take charge and be the leader. How you do it will vary from horse to horse, situation to situation but the basic concept is to make it easy for the horse to do what you ask, and difficult for him if he does not choose to cooperate.

More than anything, the horse just wants to get along and be a part of your herd. If you do not take charge and become the leader, he will. In the wild, it can mean life or death to the horse is the herd leader is weak. The second horse in the herd (beta) will always challenge the leader (alpha) to make sure the leader can lead and protect the herd. If you show weakness, don’t be surprised if your horse gets bossy and difficult. If you are afraid of your horse, get help or get another horse.

Tru Native learns to lunge.

Hi Elizabeth,

Today I had my first “official” ride on my beautiful boy Tru Native. Just walking though, or should I say swerving all over the place!! He has been doing quite well in most aspects and I do have some questions and need some advice from you. I figured your the best person to ask for help because of your great expertise!!

Let me explain what has been going on the last eight days. The first few days I just lunged him with the help of my trainer, Jaime. Truman is very “stall sour” so to speak. And I understand why, I think. Let me know if you agree. Since he has lived alone for about a year with no rules, no horses, and no limitations, he is having a harder time dealing with the “new rules and work”. He LOVES his stall and my grooming and constant attention. When we go into the indoor, or out to his paddock for that matter, he seems uneasy and wants to get back to his stall. Do you think this is because he lived outside and he loves his new stall and safe area and is worried that it might go away? When we go to lunge in the indoor, he pulls, sometimes very hard, dragging us to the door which leads to the isle. He is VERY strong. I always bring him back to the lunging spot, calmly, and start over. He is having trouble cantering as well, and we are not pushing this at all. Small steps. He has been getting better each day, but still has that tendency to want to get out that door and pull out of the circle, with front legs stomping on the ground, like a child having a temper-tantrum!! Read the rest of this entry »

My first ride on MY ex-race horse!

I still can’t believe how easy my first ride on Monarch was. I had read lots of other folks’ Thoroughbred Success Stories on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site, as well as the article “Riding your OTTB for the first time.” I took special note of the line that said, “This is not your horse’s first ride, and it won’t be a rodeo,” but I think I still expected it to be at least a bit challenging. After all, the last time I was on a horse was more than two years ago, so I’m not exactly an expert rider these days!

Plus – and I almost hate to add this, because in retrospect it seems so silly – Monarch’s racing history gave me some reason to doubt my first ride would be a smooth one. After all, he had raced twice in his short career, and he’d lost his jockey BOTH TIMES! Read the rest of this entry »

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Hello Elizabeth,
I’m guessing you all are as cold as we are. My thermometer says 11 right now, brrrr. We are out of school for the second day due to inclement weather. There is some snow on the already frozen ground and it is just cold. I’ve been carrying water in buckets and trashcans from the house. The single digits increases the work load but the horses seem to appreciate the efforts.

Yesterday, while my children were taking a nap, I went for my first ride    Triple Lindy was really good. We just walked around for about 20 minutes. I couldn’t stand it any longer, I just had to get on. Susan, her former owner had told me to be careful getting on from the ground.  I used my mounting block and there wasn’t a problem.    I haven’t ridden but twice in the past three years other than to sit bareback while a little horse I have,  who is sweet, eats. It was nice to be able to sit in a saddle and hold the reins and just enjoy the ride and the view from above! I’m looking forward to warmer days when I will be able to do more than walk.  the ground is so frozen I dare not. I plan to get on again today while the kids take a nap and hopefully tomorrow and Sunday before the work grind begins again. Lindy seemed happy in my hollow mouth ring snaffle    I’ll keep you posted.

Anne

Hi Elizabeth,

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!! We’ve been quite busy here that the past few months just flew by. Now, hard to believe that another year is here already.

Dr. Kenny Winn aka "Kwinn" has three years of Success Stories. There are also some stories from his family on our Mission statement page.

Kwinn (Dr. Kenny Winn)has done so well at his new barn. The change to a smaller, quieter barn has done wonders for him. Unfortunately we haven’t had a lot of time to really work because it seemed that we were inundated with rain this fall. Not complaining since I don’t want drought conditions, but sheesh….we needed a snorkel and fins just to get to the arena. I’m proud of my boy though as he’s conquered his fear of cows (though he still watches them like a hawk when they are on the moooove) and has managed to adjust to different pasture mates as we try to find the perfect turnout buddies at the barn. Funny thing is Kwinn will adjust to just about any horse. If they like to play, he’s right there for the fun. If they want to just kick back and relax, he’ll do the same thing. I also think that as more time goes by with him being off the track, we are seeing different aspects of his personality come out. He’s still quite sweet, but he can be a character at times. He’s learned to pull his extra blanket off the rack and toss it across the barn floor.

Over the break between Christmas and New Years, Kwinn somehow managed to cut himself just below his right ear requiring a fair number of stitches. No one can figure out how he did it. No nails on the fence line, tree – nothing that he could have cut himself on. We’ll start back to work once I can put the bridle on without irritating the stitches. They are due to come out soon. Hopefully the cold snap will end too!

Glad to see some new OTTBs with new homes on your site! Hope 2010 is a good year for everyone.

Be back soon with some new pics of my fuzzy bear!

All best,
Ronni

Elizabeth’s Notes: Dr. Kenny Winn was a Prospect Horse For Sale in the fall of 2006 when he was listed on our Prospect Horses page under the name of Dr. Canhewin. He was purchased in March of 2007 by Veronica Berman. Read more of Dr. Kenny Winn’s Success Stories on this site and read his first Success Stories on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web. Read some more heart warming stories about Dr. Kenny Winn’s family on our Mission page.

Brat Maverick and his breeder Debbie Piepmeyer.

I am the breeder of Dakota Spirit and Brat Maverick’s. After the passing of my horse trainer I no longer wished to race anymore and needed to find my “boys” a loving home. Elizabeth had already found a great home for KO River Crossing with Loui Padgett so I knew she could find a home for them too. In August she found a home for Dakota Spirit with Jane Chance in Locust Grove, GA. In October she found a home for Brat Maverick with Jodi Penn in Peachtree City, GA. (Read Jodi’s and Brat Maverick Success Stories.)

Dakota Spirit sticks out his tongue at his breeder Debbie Piepmeyer.

I had vacation after Christmas and asked Elizabeth if I could come down to visit. She gladly accepted and on December 27th Barry, Elizabeth and I took a tour down to see my boys. Both horses have loving mom’s and I know they are very happy. Elizabeth took many pictures of me with my boys, and if it looks like I was crying in some of the pictures I was – but these were tears of joy!!! I am so thankful for Elizabeth, Jodi and Jane – I know my boys will have great homes for the rest of their lives. Words cannot express my thanks to all of you.

I met some wonderful people while visiting Bits & Bytes Farm and have seen how their lives have been changed since owning their own horse.

God bless Elizabeth and her dedication to finding homes for all the OTTB’s.  She is truly an angel!!!!

-Debbie Piepmeyer

See Brat Maverick’s and Dakota Spirit photo galleries under the Photo Galleries & Albums menu at the top.

Debbie bred Dakota Spirit and Brat Maverick on her own small farm in Ohio. She was also the owner of KO River Crossing when he was a race horse. She trained these horses for racing and taught the babies to be handled and load into trailer. She was a hands on breeder and her love shows in the temperaments of these fine Thoroughbreds. Dakota Spirit never made it to racing before his trainer passed away unexpectedly but he had a great start and was trained to race. He will now have a chance to become a successful 3-day event horse with his new mom Jane Chance who is an advanced event rider herself. Brat Maverick was a successful race horse before moving to Georgia to become a sport horse. He has the movement to be  a potential dressage star or event horse like his little brother if Jodi chooses to do that. Whatever they achieve in life after the track, the important thing is that they are loved and being enjoyed. They do not have to go on to greatness to please his trainer or anyone else. They just need to be loved and there is no doubt that they are.

See photos of Debbie’s visit with Brat Maverick and Dakota Spirit.

Tru Native gets body clipped for the first time.

Hi Elizabeth,

“Truman” is adjusting beautifully. He has quite the personality and is a barn favorite for sure. He is VERY social and absolutely craves attention. Since he has been living in the field all alone for the past year this has been a complete life style change for the better for him. He now LOVES sugar cubes, beet pulp, horse cookies, etc. He has figured that whatever I offer him now it must be delicious. He is quite pushy and knows his size. So we are just slowly working on him respecting my space! By the way, we measured him and he is an unbelievable almost 17.2 hands!! Just massive and oh so sweet.

Tru Native begins training to be a dressage horse.

It has taken hours to get the clipping done. Of course, when I turned them on he backed up on the cross-ties and sent them flying down the isle about 30 feet, we just hit the ground knowing they would snap. He then slowly walked down the isle, so proud of himself, and into an empty stall. It didn’t take long at all for him to realize that the clippers won’t hurt him. Just lots of patience… I’m still working today on finishing his face, but don’t get next to his ears!! He did get a bath and was sooooooo good for that. He thinks he has “gone to heaven”! Absolutely loves grooming and stands perfectly still while he gets groomed. But, don’t walk away, he will follow! I now have to replace two sets of cross-ties!! Nothing seems to startle him much and is quite confident.

Tru Native admired the gorgeous horse in the mirror.

He loves his turnout paddock and loves his new horse buddies. He has bonded with his neighbor, Abby, a 31 yr. old OTTB. He loves toys and is VERY curious about everything, not spooky at all. When I brought him into the indoor for the first time, he was shocked at our huge mounting block, and then he got to see that gorgeous horse in the mirror. Tail straight up and trying to show off. He is learning to free-lunge and then decides to go straight over to the mirror, pulling me along, to see the horse that lives in the mirror. He is really a gentle giant and doesn’t mean to do that to me, but his curiosity gets the best of him. He has shown me his gorgeous, floaty, slow rhythmic trot out in his turnout paddock. I can’t wait to see how he comes along with dressage training. I think I found a “diamond in the rough” for sure. Have not seen a canter yet, so looking forward to getting a look at that as well.

I have not ridden him yet. The vet who did the pre-purchase said his teeth were in need of immediate floating and a baby tooth needs to be pulled. My vet is coming out on Monday to do his teeth/sheath, etc. His training will start later next week and I can’t wait!!! My trainer and I will take it VERY slowly with him. I want him to enjoy his daily work and be happy and relaxed.

Tru Native and mom - "Tru" Love

I am totally in love with my new baby. I don’t want to leave the barn and when I am at home, all I want to do is go back to be with “Tru”. Thank you sooooo much for your support and assistance. This happened so fast, but I knew when I saw his photo on your website that was it. I was in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and had to meet him if possible. And possible it was, I was so lucky and blessed. He also has the same birthday, April 28, my horse that I just sold. I knew he and I were meant to be together. Everything fell into place perfectly. He is so far turning out to be an amazing, beautiful horse inside and out. But, just look out, when he wants something, he will get it. Quite strong-willed that way but I will surely enjoy this wonderful, exciting journey.

HAPPY NEW YEAR… It’s going to be a good one!
Lauren

Here are some photos of Hollywood Vic taken a few days ago. He is the happiest I have ever seen him. he loves his herd, has tons of room to run and he runs the other horses around every day! He is indeed the fastest one out there!