I am mainly writing this post just to brag about my beautiful OTTB I bought 5 months ago. When he first arrived he tried to bite and kick me several times when I approached him. I will admit I was pretty terrified and though very seriously that I am way to inexperienced and I should re-home him. As he settled in and for used to my other 2 geldings he soon developed such a sweet and laid back attitude. The first time I got on his back my hands were shaking but I was shocked at how calm he seemed. During the cold winter I hardly rode him at all and then last week my boyfriend and his mom wanted to go for a trail ride. I decided to put my fear aside, strap on a helmet of course and go. He did amazing. We live in the city so the Bike path has bicycles, dogs, and running children. He didn’t even flinch the whole time. He just turned 4 last month and he has absolutely blown my mind with his demeanor. Lots of people warned me to be very careful with OTTBs and I am now so glad I was my usual stubborn self and did not listen. Give ex-race horses a chance! You might just find a diamond in the ruff like I did. Oh and also the trail ride was the second time he had ever had a western saddle on and I only used a hackamore bridle 
THANK YOU for this post. Just what I needed to see. OTTBs are plentiful where I am, and sadly, the type of Arabian show horse whose shoes I am trying to fill are not. I want a horse for western dressage, and Downhill moving QHs do not remotely appeal to me. I will consider a TB.
Sounds amazing, almost like s fairy tale ending.
They’ve always been out there. Just try to pick one with the kind of build for that type work that will find it physically easy to pick up.
Need to say Western saddles are not typically made for or easily combined with pads to accommodate shark fin withers and narrow bodies. Look for fuller bodied types, not lanky, long strided ones built to run far fast.
Had and a couple of these over the years, They had been let down and restarted but came right off the track with pretty good basics and nice manners, they were not stereotypical, skinny hot heads. At all. Pick wisely.
I have an OTTB who is amazingly sensible. Has turned out to be an awesome trail horse (goes in the ocean up to her belly, lots of mileage on trails in the sierras) She has done team sorting and dabbled in gymkhana (barrels, poles, and keyhole race). We were on a drill team for awhile. Lower level eventing and dressage. Trail classes, trail trials, won her first jumping class (it was a schooling show but I was mighty proud of her). Even took her out to Antelope Island (on the Salt Lake in Utah) for their annual buffalo roundup and she was amazing. She is so smart, beautiful, and athletic!
OP what’s your tb’s name/breeding? That’s really awesome! I’ve been riding one of our home reds in hunters but am thinking of getting some western tack for trail & pleasure… working on figuring that out. Luckily he has a great brain & is just a sweet, fun guy.
