OTTB Success Stories

Posts Tagged ‘Prospect Horse’

Stevie Loverboy and Missy Miller learn new lessons together.

I am finally sitting down to write a long overdue update about Loverboy…I say overdue because we have been so productive and had so many great moments in the last few months that I don’t know where to begin!  Due to a run of sick kids, rain, and wicked cold weather, I actually suffered through a 2 week stretch without a single day in the saddle…needless to say, it was a very big “Mom Moment” when the next time I saddled up, I was able to hop right on Loverboy without even longeing him and he was amazing!

We have also started trying to do regular weekly lessons with Alice with the goal of trying to do a horse show, and not embarrass ourselves, by the end of the year.  Loverboy seems to really enjoy the work and the variety and is responding so well. . . Read the rest of this entry »

Outflankem enjoys the 24" of snow even if his mom doesn't!

I’m sure you’ve heard the Mid-Atlantic got walloped with a storm Friday into Saturday.  My area got 24″! We’re all hanging in, and the horses don’t seem to be nearly as miserable as I would think they would be.  Here’s a beautiful shot of Bailey, aka Outflankem, from about an hour ago.

Outflankem

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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

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.

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

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Who’s Cindy Sue aka: “Quinn” is learning the weather in New  England is not so reliable!  Here are pictures of her in her second snow storm, the first storm left us with 22 inches and single digit temperatures (taking pictures then was not going to happen!). This storm was much gentler on us all!  I think she has finally come to appreciate all of her blankets and her inside time. We are waiting for her snow shoes to be put on so that we can go riding outdoors (weather permitting of course!)

Our training work is pretty boring these days….nothing but strengthening and suppling work, but it is so necessary in order to continue our basic dressage work.  Quinn gets an amazing amount of compliments regarding her mind and behavior, today she stood still as a plow went right by her pushing up all the snow from the parking lot, and I always respond “Yes she is only 4 years old”!  We look forward to an exciting and productive year!  Excuse the very dirty blankets, just last week we had mud and she had a good rolling session!

Rebecca Bonner

See Who’s Cindy Sue’s Photo Gallery.

Dear Elizabeth,
I am not a good e-mailer and I apologize. There have been many times when I’ve thought of you and Becky in the past year. (Can’t believe it’s been a year). I bought Mr. Inquisitive from you when he was 3 years old last December. He has been such a pleasure. I have been taking it slow with his training since I am in no hurry and he seemed to benefit from this approach. He is an excellent jumper-my trainer loves him. He uses himself very correctly and is nice and steady. We’ve gone to a number of shows just to hang out and then to eventually school. It’s paid off.

I ‘ve been riding him myself since the first time we tacked him up and I have to admit I was a little nervous. At 57 I was asking myself what was I doing!! He could have been so different but he has taken such good care of me. I will send you some pictures when I get a little technical help with that one.

Thanks for putting in all the time and effort to make a difference for so many horses and people. I couldn’t be happier. Happy Holidays!!

Warmest wishes,
Suzie Jacobson

Read more about Mr. Inquisitive who was a former Prospect Horse For Sale on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site in December 2008.

Me Tru aka "Marvin" at the race track.

Dear Elizabeth,

I still haven’t purchased a digital camera. However, you can be sure that I wrote it on my Christmas wish list!

Me Tru, aka Marvin, is doing fantastically well. He has gained weight, and has a nice thick winter coat that is shiny and sleek. He comes to the gate for attention and still has a beautiful, kind eye.

Marvin is learning to jump. He loves it! He doesn’t rush the jump or get hot, he just moves like he’s having fun and is ready for more. He’s careful, but not to the point that he over-jumps. When I make a mistake, he is very forgiving. However, because he is smart, I have to be careful that my mistakes don’t teach him bad habits.

Marvin quickly learned voice commands while longeing. He also learned to keep his feet in place for carrot stretches. His muscles feel pretty tight, so I’ve introduced him to massage. At first, he was impatient in the cross-ties, but he’s learned to relax, especially for the brachiocephalicus, and hamstring groups. He’ll make funny faces when I find a tight spot, and will occasionally nicker when it feels really good.

My husband rode Marvin the other day. Marvin took great care of him – it was the first time my husband has ever been in a saddle. My trainer frequently comments about Marvin’s gentle disposition and willingness to try to understand what he is being asked to do. We got a big laugh when my husband waved to the video camera instead of signaling to turn, and Marvin marched straight to the top of the shaving pile.

Thank you for making this possible!

Fondly,
Kathryn