OTTB Success Stories

Posts Tagged ‘Training Notes’

I am very happy to report that Who’s Cindy Sue aka “Quinn” will be attending her first dressage schooling show this weekend. We are making our debut in the Intro Test A.  I have found a dressage trainer that has worked with us and has determined that her gate irregularity that the vets were deeming as “lameness” was truly a training and balance issue (I was ready to hop off and hug this woman!) In just two weeks of working with her and  using classical dressage techniques, I have a new, relaxed horse and she is becoming more and more regular.  Unbelievable how you train and ride can affect your horse!

I am new to dressage so I too am a student.  I am coming from the hunter/jumper world (25 years of this) where we hover in two point, dressage is a challenge but makes so much sense.  Here are two clips of us practicing pieces of our dressage test. We are getting longer periods of time where she is able to hold herself….the all important self carriage. No canter work yet except brief periods on a circle, she’ll get there!  She is also able to trot cross rails, but she does want to go, go go! Jumping is not going to be an issue for her. This summer our goal is to do Intro Tests A and B, and start schooling eventing at the amoeba/elementary level!

Rebecca Bonner Austin

Many horses coming off-the-track seem to have soundness issues but most of these are resolved with some chiropractic work and proper exercises. They use different muscles at the track and they need to be relaxed and rebuilt with proper exercise. Doing a chiropractic adjustment is not enough, you need to do exercises to build the muscles to hold the adjustment in place. If you can’t find a good chiropractor you can still do the exercises. Work on the lunge line at walk and trot and don’t do canter work until the horse is moving freely on both sides. Back your horse up when on the ground and see if she reaches under equally with both back legs. At first the horse will not reach very far underneath and there may be a large gap between the front and rear feet. Keep backing the horse every day until the feet almost touch when backing up. This will mean that the hips are unlocked and the horse can now reach underneath herself and build up the back and hind end muscles. When your horse is backing well, back her up a hill to increase the difficulty of the exercise. Find more information about “Does your horse need chiropractic care?” on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site.

Attached are two pictures of Molly and Antioch’s first ride. He is very responsive on the ground and not very spooky. I do think Molly has some re -training of her riding skills to work on. Unfortunately since riding our challenging Arab she has learned to be a little more direct in her riding requests with her legs and hands and she ended up cantering around the round pen for a few minutes before figuring out how to slow him down. The sponging of her hands and sitting back worked, but she was taken a bit by surprise. After that she spent time walking, halting, walking, halting, and then she got him to trot then walk then halt three times successfully. (I am glad no one else was around to see it!) This might be a trial by fire type of learning for them! We are going to try again tomorrow with a lot more walking, halting, small circles, serpentines etc…. any other advice would be great!

First Ride on OTTB Antioch

Most people, when they get nervous or scared, make the mistake of grabbing the reins and leaning forward. This is the ‘GO’ command for an ex-race horse. Instead, sit tall and quiet and ’sponge’ the reins in your hands – first one hand and then the other. Have a light to medium contact and open and close your fingers on the reins like you are squeezing a sponge. The horse will relax on the bit and usually drop his head. Race horses are taught to lean into two solid hands and balance on them. When the jockey crosses the finish line, he sits up and lets go of the reins and the horse slows down. Don’t give the ‘GO’ command by grabbing your horse with two ungiving hands and leaning forward. Instead sponge the reins by alternating the movement from one hand to the other. Keep your elbows bent and your shoulders and elbows relaxed and following the movement of the horse’s head. Move your arm and not your wrist to give and take with the contact. You will be rewarded with a quiet happy horse.

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.

Hey Elizabeth!!

So much to report about Tru Native!!! This last month has had it’s up and downs with Truman. Now, we have made HUGE progress under saddle in just these last six days, in a row, mind you, which is a record!! It is really funny for me to learn about all of the “first’s” with a young, green horse.

One day, during my ride, my cell phone started going off. What was the problem, oh yeah, my young, green horse knows nothing about technology, HA-HA, my older “made” horse that I sold before Truman, would just stop politely and let me answer my phone. Well, Tru’s head went straight up sooooooo far and he started taking off. Of course, I couldn’t let go of even one of my reins to get my phone out of my pocket to shut the thing up, and it rang for about 30 – 40 seconds, which seemed like an eternity. I just went along for the ride, trying to circle, using the one-rein stop, and calm him down. After my phone ceased it’s ringing, he was huffing and puffing and couldn’t believe that noise came from me!!! After we finished (I had to calm myself as well), I put him away and I went into his stall and had a friend call my phone. I was holding it, and it rang. Well… he came right over to it and tried to eat it, couldn’t care less!! Wasn’t the least bit frightened of the noise. I am assuming his fear of it under saddle was because I was on his back and the noise was over his head. He freaked out wondering why I would be making that wierd noise! We have been working on this under saddle. He is getting better about my phone going off now but is not totally convinced that it is nothing to worry about yet. Anyone heard of VIBRATE mode, what a concept, duh!!!

Then, there are the sun spots in the arena, which he attempts to jump. So funny, but now he just plows through them. Oh yeah, he loves to do ground poles, the more the better. He even loves to jump cavelletti’s. I want to work on a bit of jumping along with the dressage. Three or four ground poles are excellent for getting a horses back up and good for their mind. Truman just loves all of that and I think he would love to jump. He doesn’t seem nervous to go over anything I lay down in the arena.

We have still had more stubborn, grouchy days than good in the first two months I have been riding him. His work attitude has been difficult to deal with under saddle. Lots of huffing and puffing, throwing his head in the air, running off, anything he could think of to get out of work. Even some bucks. I did start using a running martingale. I noticed that on your website, you use them on all of your horses you ride. So that has been a help with the head tossing. But, things are NOW sooooo much better and he is actually FUN to ride. Before, he was been putting in a bit of bucking and crow-hopping. So, I had a new chiropractor out hoping to get some answers to his grumpiness. He said his pole/neck were out, which led to his neck being a little crooked and the odd muscle bulgings, which was causing pain under saddle. Now, his neck issue might have been this way a very long time, we don’t know for sure. But to have developed odd muscling like that didn’t happen over-night. He also adjusted his right hip. The hip wasn’t bad, but if we don’t get the neck fixed, everything else will suffer. From the moment I started to ride Truman after he arrived from Ohio, he would huff and puff, and seem to be VERY stubborn and grouchy. He always seemed to get better by the end of the ride, so I assumed it was just his greeness, stiffness and lack of confidence at the start of the ride. So everyday, was to say the least, not fun under saddle. Now he is getting the proper adjustments he deserves! Hopefully over time this will relieve the pain and he will become the willing, agreeable guy under saddle I know he can be. The change in his attitude already is super.

This horse has the most powerful hind end I have ever seen. Everyone who meets Truman comments on his amazing, powerful hind quarters! Now, that he is getting the adjustments and building more confidence under saddle he is my Super “TRU”per. That is what I say, when we are cantering all around the arena, I say to him over and over, SUPER TRUPER!!!!!! He loves it. This horse is so powerful, that he can even canter right off from the WALK!!! All on his own, I just sit there and let him do it. He has the most lofty canter and seems to have great control over his hind-end to lengthen and shorten his stride or even slow it down and sit, all on his own accord. A dressage rider’s dream! HOLY COW, what I am seeing in the mirrors and feeling about that natural, uplifting, front legs off the ground canter gives me chills. Of course, when we gets to the corners, he is back on his forehand and downhill, which is to be expected. It is just so exciting to see the possibilities in that gait. After all of that cantering, we go down to trot, and that is when I see his true trot stride, relaxed, long and floaty. It does go away of course when he looses his rhythm and balance. But I am seeing glimpses of the things to come down the road as he learns his balance and develops strength and rhythm.

I was so discouraged these last few weeks, feeling he just hated to be ridden. I love him so much and I didn’t want to give up. I just wanted more than anything to just have ONE good ride without resistance. But now, he is a happy-camper and a super “Tru”per. He knows I am not going to push or hurt him. It just took many weeks for him to figure this out and now that his neck is getting adjusted, he is even better. He is a strong-willed horse though and I know the road ahead with him won’t always be smooth sailing. It is an AMAZING feeling inside of pride when you have been working sooooo hard and finally accomplish something. I know that Truman feels that excitement along with me. He is a different horse under saddle this last week and I know he feels proud of himself as I am of him! He is my best friend and we have developed such a deep respect and trust for one another!! That is part of why things are going better, it just took Tru awhile to feel comfortable. Now, I can start really teaching him about dressage since he is becoming a great student.

OH, one more thing, I found out he does have a horse-challenging side to him. He does not like Jack, a black Swedish horse my friend Lucinda owns. Jack is an alpha horse. So Truman gets all worked up when Jack is in the arena. At first, I thought he just wanted to be near him trying to get out of work again, using Jack as an excuse. But then the other day, when we passed left to left, Truman spun around, ears pinned and wanted to go at him!!!!! I realized then, that he is wanting to challenge Jack. Of course, Jack totally ignores this young fellow, and I think that made Truman even more frustrated. Oh Yes… I have had quite a few first’s myself these last few weeks. Never a dull moment, that is for sure. Attached are more pictures of my beautiful baby and me.

Hope all is well with you Elizabeth, and your wonderful Bits and Bytes Farm. I still get on the website often, it makes me feel connected to other’s who are on the same journey as me. Thank you for that!!!

BEST TO YOU!!
Lauren Wittkop

We recommend all horses (not just ex-racers) get adjusted by a GOOD equine chiropractor. No horse will be able to perform well if his back or neck are out of alignment. Getting your horse adjusted and then doing the exercises to keep the muscle strong will help the horse hold the adjustment. If your horse is out of alignment he will buck and be reactive because he is trying to tell you that he HURTS. Listen to your horse and you will find that he will reward you by trying to please you. This is so typical of a Thoroughbred. – Elizabeth

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.

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.

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.

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 »

It is a beautiful evening here and I am sitting outside watching the horses. It is so peaceful just watching them graze. Heather is wonderful. I just can’t tell you how much I love that horse. In fact I am actually in love with him! He is going so beautifully and his jumping is amazing. He is really talented and we have such a great bond and trust now.  I can hop on him bareback in the pasture and he will walk us to the gate!

I have a funny story for you. When the vet was here doing spring shots his phone rang. Well his ringtone was the bugle call to post from the track! Heather heard that and went nuts! He was like “holy s…! The race is starting without me!” The poor guy could not figure out how it was possible that he was missing the action. I could not believe he had such a reaction to that tune after all this time. He is a true competitor!

He looks better than ever and just seems really relaxed and happy. You won’t believe how great he is!

Love from Jennifer and Heather

Joe Bear and Heather's Best loved playing in the mud.

Heather’s former pasture mate, Joe Bear had a similiar reaction to the “Call to the Post” ringtone on my phone. Joe Bear was in the wash rack while Paula was hosing him off. I received a phone call from my Louisville track contact. Her ring tone is the “Call to the Post” bugle sound. Joe Bear’s eyes got wide. He looked out the barn door to see where it was coming from. His heart started beating so hard people sitting across the hallway could actually see it! These horses remember their time at the track. Becareful what you expose your horse to. Make sure they have positive experiences because these horses DO remember. – Elizabeth

Elizabeth,

You’re welcome! I am just taking the comments all in stride. I figured I would run any by you (like the being in heat one ) before I let someone else tell me what I should do when it is my horse. I really REALLY like her (Allegiant), and can definitely see her potential. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. There is no way I would sell her just because of the comments people are telling me.  She hasn’t done ONE bad thing. Mom and Dad can hold her, and they aren’t even horse people. And, I love how she talks to me when she sees me! I know we will go far!

Thanks for all your help!
Amanda and Alle!!

P.S. I am working on the tips you gave me when I was riding (don’t point my feet out, hold my hands straight not horizontal, bend my elbows, and move with her. She really listens and is FANTASTIC to ride!!

Amanda experienced what a lot of buyers of off-the-track Thoroughbreds experience – negative comments from people who know nothing about OTTBs. She was told inaccurate and totally ridiculous stories about what to expect from an off-the-track Thoroughbred. Fortunately she called us for advice.

Bits & Bytes Farm is dedicated to making your experience a positive one. We want your Success Stories. We are here to answer your questions and to clear up the myths about OTTBs. Spend some time reading the stories on this Web site and you will see a common theme: These horses are wonderful, kind and gentle. They love their owners and follow them around and nicker to them. The stories from the owners of these ex-races tell the real story. If the match is not working out, we will help the horse find a better suited match.

Tux (Bato Loco)and I are meeting our latest challenge.  Robert O. Mayer has started training a few of us at our stable in classical dressage.  Tux and I are at quite a disadvantage, since neither one of us knows what we are doing.  I’m a hunter/jumper girl!  We are starting slow.   We made a little tiny bit of progress this weekend, and it feels wonderful.  It is obvious this will be quite a project.  Wish us luck!

Classical dressage is the basis for all riding disciplines. It is all about learning to communicate with your horse so that there is a harmony and balance. I like to call it, “Meditation in Motion”. Jumping should be just dressage over fences rather than the yanking and pulling that you see from so many jumper riders. If the horse is balanced and listening to the rider, you will be able to adjust to the stride of a combination by adjusting your body’s position. Whether you are a Western reiner, hunter/jumper or pleasure rider – learning the basics of classical dressage will make you a better rider and your horse a lot happier. – Elizabeth

Goldie’s (Gold’s Anatomy)papers arrived yesterday, thank you.  He’s coming along really nicely and we are taking him to his first local schooling show the end of this month.  We plan on just working a bit in the warm up ring to give him some exposure to a show environment.  Laura will be schooling her event horse in jumpers so Goldie will have a calm buddy.  We finally bought a new camera so I will be sending pics soon!

Leslie

Gold’s Anatomy came off-the-track in April 2009. He shipped to Flagstaff, AZ where he is the new Pony Club mount of Laura Hempleman. It is a great idea to take a horse to a show and not to show. A horse may think he is on his way back to the race track on his first trip away from his new home. Let him look around and get used to the energy and sounds of a horse show. Expect some extra energy at first.  Just remember that your ex-race horse has no idea of where he will be when you drop the ramp on his trailer. His only experience is being shipped to a track to race. Most horses figure the show out in about an hour and could care less about where they are as long as it is not at a race track.