OTTB Success Stories

Posts Tagged ‘First’

Brett and I went to our first A show this weekend. Blistering heat–105 degrees.  He was wonderful, and we got a nice ribbon in the equitation over fences class.

Judi

Amanda and Allegiant have come a long way in one year. Thank you Amanda for showing us what can be done with a little love and a lot of hard work. We are very proud of this young pair. Read more of Allegiant’s Success Stories.

Hi Elizabeth,
Hope your summer is going well and all is good with you and yours. It’s been a while and I wanted to update you on what Golds Anatomy (his stable name is now “Riley”) and Laura are doing these days. Riley came to us May of last year (2009) and the first weekend of June this year (2010) Laura took him to his first recognized Area X Horse Trials. In spite of a few glitches in stadium they earned second place in Jr. Beginner Novice!

See more photos in Golds Anatomy’s new Photo Album.
Read more of Gold Anatomy’s Success Stories.

Laura had a blast and it turns out that “Riley’s” favorite thing is x-country. He is not afraid of anything (oh wait, a little iffy with water. This is Arizona after all) and acts like he’s been doing it all his life. The dressage rings were actually on a race track and he didn’t bat an eye. I think this is what he wants to do. Riley and Laura are becoming a solid team and she just loves him.

They are going to another event this weekend, wish them luck!

Leslie Hempleman

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Golds Anatomy was a Bits & Bytes Farm Prospect Horse For Sale directly from the race track in February 2009.

Antioch and Molly take their first lesson together.

The lesson went so well! They worked on a little ground work and then walk and halt and steering and backing with lots of circles and serpentine. The also practiced mounting from both sides with the mounting block and having him stay still. He learns so fast! Lots of praise and patting was used. At the end she did a little trotting and it was awesome! Antioch was so great and our trainer really did seem to understand him and how to teach Molly on him. The trainer was skeptical of our decision to buy him, but I think she is seeing how wonderful he is! We are going to try to do two lessons a week for a while to really get Molly confident.

Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds are easy to train but it sometimes helps to have someone coaching and encouraging you. Too often all you get is criticism because of peoples’ lack of knowledge about ex-race horses.

Ex-race horse, Antioch, meets his new mom Molly.

It has been a thrilling day! We spent the majority of our time parked outside Antioch’s stall sitting in lawn chairs. I feel like I have a newborn at home who I have to watch to see when they poop and drink and eat. He finally laid down for some rest this evening. He was exhausted. He has been eating and drinking.

I have to tell you that I have been met with some criticism from friends and “horsey” people on my decision to buy him. People are concerned he is going to become “hot” and crazy once he is healthy again. I feel like we are doing the right thing, and I plan to take it very slowly when it comes to my daughter riding him to be sure she is safe. I have encouraged these people to check out your website, but as always it seems they are willing to give their opinions but not really look into the details. Do you have any words of encouragement or wisdom to share?

Check out the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site for pages of stories about Buying Thoroughbred Horses from Bits & Bytes Farm. Also, read the pages under our Spotlight Stories menu on this site.

Antioch arrives in Arizona to meet his new mom Molly.

Elizabeth,
Antioch arrived late last night!  He is gorgeous even if he is thin and woolly!  He began eating hay and found the automatic waterer right away. We are heading over there in a few minutes to try some beet pulp.  We will take some pictures when we get there! Bob Hubbard transport was super! The driver was so nice and caring and I would highly recommend them!
Maureen

Antioch - Thoroughbred horse for sale from the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site.

I have to say, I’m pretty sure that Reign Day is not very impressed with the climate here in Massachusetts so far–today was overcast and dreary and it rained on and off. He had a very laid-back, quiet, “settle-in” day. I played with him in the aisle, gave him a good long groom, did his carrot stretches and a bit of backing up.

Of course, the minute Day came out of his stall, Copper (one of our other horses) went a wee bit crazy due to his excitement, and was whinnying and pawing. Rather than squealing or trying to leap over to Copper’s door, Reign Day simply watched his antics calmly and actually seemed kind of amused at Copper’s behavior! And though Copper continuously tried to get him to come over and say hi, Day promptly started falling asleep in the cross ties while I groomed him. I love this horse! And as it turns out, he looks quite dashing in with an Elvis Presley-type hairdo in his forelock… Unfortunately I didn’t have the camera at that point, but he just loved having his forelock braided and styled!!

He also was formally introduced to John Henry and Wilson–our goat and miniature pony. Quite an experience for Reign Day! John Henry was very excited to meet him, though Day is still rather confused as to what John Henry is exactly…smells like a horse, but its so small! Wilson the fat and sassy goat tried to headbutt Reign Day in the nose when Day tried to sniff him, and now I think Reign Day is thoroughly intimidated by Wilson, who is short enough to walk under Day’s stomach!

All in all it was a very mellow day, so there isn’t a whole lot to report. Tomorrow we will probably take him and Ty for a little walk down the driveway, maybe around the path behind the barn, but we’ll see. That’s all for now, say hello to everyone (people and critters alike) for me!

Julia

Read Reign Day’s training diary on the Bits & Bits Farm Web site.

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Reign Day at the race track in December 2009.

Reign Day was listed on the  Bits & Bytes Farm Web site as a Thoroughbred Horse For Sale – Prospect Horse at the Track. He was purchased by John Reynolds, DVM and his wife Valeri to be a new Pony Club mount for their daughter Julia. Julia was busy with school commitments in February so we were asked to bring Reign Day to Bits & Bytes Farm for some training.

Reign Day arrives at Bits & Bytes Farm. February 7, 2010

We used this opportunity to keep a diary of Reign Day’s training show how we retrain a Thoroughbred that has just finished racing. We took photos and wrote stories about the training we did with Reign Day documenting his transition from race horse to sport horse.

Reign Day goes home to Pittsfield, MA on March 20, 2010

Julia and Reign Day with the red ribbon.

Reign Day left Bits & Bytes Farm on March 20, 2010 to begin his life with Julia.

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 »