OTTB Success Stories

Posts Tagged ‘First’

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

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 »

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

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

Tru Native and his new mom Lauren Wittkop.

Elizabeth,
Tru Native aka “Truman” quietly backed off the trailer this evening like a pro. It was just getting dark, but he stood like a statue and looked around. Then we walked him into the barn aisle and right down to his stall, which he promptly walked right into. He sniffed and nickered to the horse next door, Abby (another very, very old TB 31 years!! which I call Truman’s grandpa now).  He immediately started eating his hay, he is a BIG boy and loves to eat.

After about 15 minutes, we took him out of his stall. I was not sure if he had ever been on crossties, but put them on him and hoped for the best. He just stood there soaking up all the attention and grooming.  He loves carrots and peppermints, but has no idea about sugar cubes yet and proceeds to spit them out. I also tried to feed him a hot beet pulp meal which he turned his nose up at, not sure at all what that was. I’m sure in the days to follow he will figure that one out.

I had a group of friends with me tonight celebrating Truman’s arrival.  Not ONE of them could believe he was a OTTB!!  This is one of the biggest TB’s I have ever seen. I have attached some pictures and will send an update in a few days after I have given him his beauty treatment.

I didn’t want to leave him tonight and won’t sleep at all. Of course, I will be at the barn at the crack of dawn to see him. I ADORE Truman.

Tru Native was a Prospect Horse on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site in December of 2009 when he was purchased by Lauren Wittkop of Algonquin, IL.

Tru Native's Prospect Horse photos from 2009.

“Tru” is a 16.3+ hand, April 28, 2004, unraced, chestnut, Thoroughbred gelding. He is Me Tru’s (aka “Marvin”) full brother but is built more like a warm blood than a Thoroughbred. He has the same disposition as “Marvin” -  very laid back and nice to be around. He only breezed once and was just too big and slow to make the races. This is a big boned and big bodied horse who is clean legged and who has no vices. He has been off-the-track for about a year and has been living out in the field. He is an easy keeper and will make a great riding or show horse. The transition for him should be as easy as it was for Marvin. Read Me Tru’s (”Marvin’s” real name) Success Stories.

The trail ride was the true test of whether I successfully ride my new OTTB.

Elizabeth,

This seemed like a fitting time to do an update story for you on Maverick. I really am both excited and sad to be moving Maverick next weekend. I honestly can not believe how lucky I have been to not only get Maverick, but to have been taught by you and to have met so many great horse people at your farm.

Update on Maverick:

5 Weeks and Our First Trail Ride

I have proudly owned Maverick now for 5 weeks and aside from marrying my husband and having my children, it has been without a doubt the best 5 weeks of my life. Maverick is the sweetest horse I could ever imagine and he is incredibly smart. Some people think of OTTBs as wild, crazy horses that might run away with you at any given moment. While I think that might be true of some OTTBs, I can tell you that it is not true of Maverick or any of the other horses I have had the pleasure to watch at Bits & Bytes.

This weekend Maverick and I will take the next step in our journey together. We will be moving him to his new home closer to me. I am excited to think that I will be able to see him every day, but I am also sad to see him leave his wonderful, temporary home at Bits & Bytes. In addition to it being a great facility, it has been a place of real learning and confidence building for me. I have learned from an expert (Elizabeth) how to do everything from selecting tack that works best for Maverick, to ground work, to riding in the ring, to our first trail ride together last weekend.

The trail ride for me was the true test. Read the rest of this entry »

Dakota Spirit and Chilletecaux attended their first horse show.

Yesterday I took Dakota Spirit and Chilletecaux to a schooling show at Ashland Farm. They were so good. First time in the horse show atmosphere had them big eyed and on their toes. Even laid back Dakota got an extra burst of energy!

We did two show jump classes each as I didn’t want to over do it the first time away from home jumping.

Chille jumped like they were all 4′ of course the over achiever in him showing thru… so proud of himself.

Dakota was cautious to start but jumped like a star once he got the idea. Looking to the warm up a couple of times for crowd approval. Small crowds count too.

The judge was very complimentary too. We had lots of fun and plan to go out again soon.

Thanks for finding such fun rides!

Jane

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Dakota Spirit and Chilletecaux have a new horse trailer.

I just wanted to give you an update. Soldier was much better in 24 hours. We have had his teeth done and put front shoes on as he was foot sore (he was great for the dentist and the farrier). He does have stongyles so I wormed him today and will do another fecal in a week. He also has a good bit of rain rot and we are working on each affected area. Sunday is supposed to be warm so he will get a bath then. The girls who work for me love him already as he is so sweet – he stands untied in the isle to be groomed! I am going to keep him at home for a couple of weeks before I move him to the barn where Chipawild is for the winter in order to resolve some of the above issues and get a good feeding program established. He is a lovely horse and I think with a bit of time he will be a different looking animal. I took pictures the day after he came in and I will take some more Sunday after his bath (he is VERY dirty) and send them to you.

I hope all is well with you and thanks again for you help with Soldier (please thank Becky too),

Sara O’Connell

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Tired and dirty after a 30 hour trailer ride.

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I wanted to send you and update on Soldier. He is doing well and has settled in here. He has shoes on and is much happier. His teeth are done and he has been wormed once. He is eating and drinking well and we are giving him a bit more food. He does need to gain a few hundred pounds but that will come. He stood on cross ties today for the first time and couldn’t have cared less. I am sending you some photos. The first is the day after he got here when he was dehydrated and really dirty (after a 30 hour trailer ride!). The next ones are of him clean and after he rolled as well as learning about what  a jump is!

Hope all is well with you,
Sara O’Connell