Search results matching tag 'OTTBs'

Re: Seeking opinions on behavior/performance issues

heardjess — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:00:00 GMT

I've always been attracted to greys too. I'm not much on color, I'm really more attractred to personality but there is something about a grey horse thats just striking. Your boys are adorable!

So the vet is coming out tomorrow 1/31. He is coming primarily to do a gastroscope, but I'll definitely be telling him all about my struggles. He is also her chiropractor so he is already familiar with some of her issues. I'll let you know if I find anything out.

Chicago area: Wood End Farms (a TB charity) open house 11/3

woodend — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Are you in the Chicago area? We'd love to meet you in person! Wood End Farms - a 501(c)non-profit devoted to the care, re-training and rehabilitation of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses - is having an open house this Saturday afternoon from 12 - 3. Stop by for a bite to eat, tour our facility (see our horse swimming pool!) and meet our retirees.

We're located in Barrington, at 28044 Roberts Road. Here's a link to a map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=US&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&addtohistory=&cat=&address=28044+W.+Roberts+Rd&city=Barrington&state=IL&zipcode=

You can reach us by phone at (847) 691-2243.

Hope to see you there! If you stop by, look for me. In real life, I answer to 'Sarah."

Re: How to retrain OTTB's

T Bahner — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:00:00 GMT

That is so cool! I'm so glad you found each other! It shows that one rider's "monster" can be another rider's puppy dog. Should we be looking for you on any of the circuits in the next few years. And this has turned in to a very interesting topic, so keep us informed on your progress. It may allow others to see that OTTBs make great horses for any discipline and encourage them to take a look.

And welcome to the forum!

Terry

Re: CANTER horses - looking to buy

woodend — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

BHK - yep! It's me. sheesh, I can run, but I can't hide!

And that's actually his old trainer holding him. He's a good guy, really cares about his horses and puts them up on CANTER rather than seeing them spiral all the way down to the end. I love a trainer who retires a horse sound. Word is that Chester's looking great - he's gained some weight since retiring. I would love to go visit, but that could be a very expensive trip ...

Re: CANTER horses - looking to buy

woodend — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

I have to plug Chester Cat, who I've met in person a couple times (I volunteer for CANTER and have walked the backside a few times.)

He's stabled in Northern IL. Dead sound - too slow to hurt himself, trainer said. Nice, sane guy and nice build. Here he is on the backstretch - in racing trim:

And a good look at his pretty face an puppy dog eye ...

I won't kid you, I think this guy is pretty neat. He's listed on CANTER's Northern IL site (canterusa.org/illinois)

And ditto what the others said about considering an OTTB. They are wonderful horses.

Re: How to retrain OTTB's

woodend — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

[quote user="Silkcut"]Go slow, be patient and earn their trust. Thoroughbreds work best out of trust. Heavy handed approaches don't work well with them.[/quote]

This hits the nail on the head. I volunteer at Wood End Farms (www.woodendfarms.org), a charity that rehabs and retrains TBs. We start with basics (like learning to cross tie) and gentle groundwork. The work on the longe line is especially important - they need to learn to use their bodies differently, and it also lets us start installing those lower gears - walk, trot and of course WHOA.

One of our guys is an 11 year old who raced for 7 years and 44 starts. You'd think he'd be a tough ride, but he's picked up on his new line of work quickly, and is a barn favorite.

IMHO you can't beat a TB's work ethic - they really try hard. If you need more help or support, contact us through the web site, Wood End's key mission is to support OTTB owners!

Good luck!

Re: How to retrain OTTB's

T Bahner — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

It is different... b/c they don't even know how to be a horse! they have to be introduced to fenced pastures slowlyb/c they haven't been in one since they were weaned, they know nothing about how to behave with other horses, they don't understand what we consider normal person to horse communication - to them putting pressure on the bit means go faster, not slow down. It's really sad - essentially they are kept in a stall, fed things to make them grow faster, steroids (watching a horse detox is heartbreaking) and super high protein feeds, taken out to run, then groomed and put back in the stall. Cooling off may be done by a hot walker, not even the human contact. If they're lucky they have grooms and trainers and owners who actually care about them and try to find them homes after they're done racing. But there's waaaaaay to many of the other kind -use 'em up, throw 'em out. Now ask me what I really think! LOL I loooooove TBs!

Send out a call for Katie and HORSEPLA - they've walked the walk with OTTBs and can tell you about the trials and satisfactions.

Re: CANTER horses - looking to buy

T Bahner — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

CANTER is a OTTB rescue/adotion organization; they also provide a site for traimers to list their OTTBs for sale. Here is their web page, they can tell you beter than I can:

http://www.canterusa.org/

If you would be interested in looking at an OTTB and aren't familiar with the way they are trained to race and what it takes to retrain them, just be aware that these are not horses you can take straight to a show or trailing. They must be REtrained to realize that they are horses. That said, they are wonderful, loving, companions who will change your concept of the "hot, crazy" TB, and they have more heart than any other breed (I'm biased, but most will agree) with the investment of a little time and the expertise of a good trainer. It is a wonderful, satisfying journey.

Here are some other orgs that do similar good work:

http://www.trfinc.org/

http://www.horseadoption.com/ I have a Standardbred who I adopted from NV. What a sweetie!

Re: Controlling the head and relaxing the brain in flatwork/dressage... pic added

T Bahner — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

I totally agree, TMN2! And thanks Katie and HRSEPLA for GREAT posts! I have had a few OTTB rescues and while I understand the theories, I just never could find anything that explained HOW to get the results. You should both publish books and DVDs that take the new owner from the track to the horse ready to go on to regular training. There are so many people out there who are discovering the versatility, heart, and wonderful character of the TB, but get in over their heads and ruin the horse (and get themselves banged up!) b/c they don't know what to do to make the transition happen. You both write clearly and concisely. I'm serious. This is a topic horse people need to know more about!

Hey, if all those NH guys can make tons of $$$ demonstrating common sense horsemanship, you should be able to make a bundle with a REAL training issue. (Sorry all you NH fans)