Talk to me about your OTTB success stories!

[meupatdoes]

I’ve had my ottb for 10 years, since I got him at age 3.

While he is mostly retired and just occasionally serves as a boyfriend/mom horse these days, he did well for himself in the hunter ring.

Back when he was still grey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZViMJAGsvTg

For this video, he had been long since switched over to dressage and hadn’t been over a jump for two years when a student’s mom called that her daughter’s horse got an abcess the day before a show.
So Alphers dusted off his hunter skills and trailered down to the show - 24 hours later, they got a piece out of 30+:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv0neuwxgX8

With one of my then-trainer’s students:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/meupatdoes/Alphy%20Four%20Seasons/Alphy.jpg

He also makes a wonderful lesson horse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPQiUjmlqKY

Bascially, the sweetest horse you could ask for, who has always done everything to the best of his ability and never says no. I just picked him up from hanging out in my best friend’s back yard taking her mom on trail rides, so we’ll see if he wants to come back into work and perhaps be a teacher and share his knowledge a little more. However if all he wants to do is run around the paddock pulling his back shoes until we have to put glue-ons on (!!!), …that’s ok, too.

[wishfulthinking711]

How about this one:

http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2015/10/26/auction-horse-shows-at-washington-intl/

again one of many

[Kels]

At SuperShorty’s urging, I’ll play.

My little mare who came off the track 4/2013. I’ve had her since December of 2013.

She’s 6 years old, JC name is Winter Snow Angel.

We are taking things super slow, I’m not in any kind of hurry to “do” things (well, most days anyway). She loves to jump, and has started doing her own free jumping when turned out in the arena (Not interested in a lecture on why I shouldn’t do this. Sometimes, in Minnesota in the winter, it’s worth the risk just to have a happy and sane horse). She’s turning out to be pretty nice!

https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/v/t1.0-9/1457469_10103915915845175_117360757_n.jpg?oh=7b7c6fad88494b0e779b1e3bbeed6313&oe=56C57476A week after I got her

https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11060866_10105798908258285_227524413475678187_n.jpg?oh=43f1825e0fafd4933b0b668cb15d4c77&oe=568588E2About a year later

https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1506458_10105798908592615_6638898106923595005_n.jpg?oh=4f2aa24ab086d2a634e843c7876ede4a&oe=56C7E981 Another one from that time

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10106049330335435&set=a.10101374746234445.3206695.12419373&type=3&theater She is incredibly sweet and curious about everything

A little video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRMH7VNam3o (Don’t look at me! ;)) The quality on this one isn’t great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX6-KUCQKmk My trainer riding her this summer

[kashmere]

I don’t have really have a success story… yet, but I do have an OTTB, so here’s hoping! She’s not the first OTTB I’ve worked with, but she is the first I’ve owned. I just love them in general, and I have some high hopes for this lady. I’ve only had her for 3 weeks, so our big successes so far have been:

Going to look at and buy her (straight out of a field!):

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/rosemareez/horse.jpg

NOT tearing my own hair out while waiting for the hauler to confirm/pick her up/deliver her and of course, getting her off the trailer (yes, those are acid wash jeans, and the dumbest possible expression on my face):

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/rosemareez/roxie%20off%20the%20trailer.jpg

Managing to relax in her new digs:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/rosemareez/roxie%20in%20the%20field.jpg

And our very first ride (we have now had a whopping 3)

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/rosemareez/roxie%20ride.jpg

Fingers crossed that in a year or so we`ll have some nice comparison shots and a good success story to share

[SweetMutt]

My horse is 7 now, 3 years off the track, and I’ve had him since June of last year. Last weekend, we hopped around the .95m jumpers in good form (well, he was in good form - I have some polishing to do!) We’re in good shape to be doing the meters next year. He’s a nice enough mover to cross over into the hunters and eq on his quieter days, but I’m a jumper at heart so I haven’t bothered trying yet. In addition to being a lovely jumper, he is also adorable and intelligent - a dangerous combination that allows him to melt the hearts of all passersby and compel them to feed him treats.

It’s hard for me to think of him as a “success story” necessarily. He’s just my great, goofy, fun horse.

Flickr and YouTube are both giving me beef today, so unfortunately I don’t have any photos or video handy, but I’ll add them when I can.

[fordtraktor]

you know – if they are OTTBs, and you own them and are having fun with them and love them – then to me, that is a success story! It’s not all about who can win the most or whatever. The horses don’t care about that.

[kashmere]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8378211]
you know – if they are OTTBs, and you own them and are having fun with them and love them – then to me, that is a success story! It’s not all about who can win the most or whatever. The horses don’t care about that.[/QUOTE]

SUCH a good point. I think my $600 out of a field buddy is already a success

[2bayboys]

This one is pretty old but an OTTB mare I had years ago.

Right off the track:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202624770489149&set=a.10202504357838908.1073741828.1494030110&type=3&theater

A couple years later:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202504878651928&set=a.10202504357838908.1073741828.1494030110&type=3&theater

I bred her and she gave me this nice fellow:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1298362587853&set=a.1577087915812.72978.1494030110&type=3&theater

My latest OTTB project, still a work in progress:
https://www.facebook.com/natatia.bledsoe/posts/10208175948025118?pnref=story

Love the OTTBs, then and now!!

[Hunter85]

![]('ll play!

I got my mare when she was 3 years old out of a field for $600. She is 15 now and since then has blown me away with what a lovely horse she has turned out to be! She was very easy to start, super receptive to jumping and to this day has not refused a fence. A few quirks along the way but we quickly learned how to keep her happy! We did not know what direction she would go when I got her but she screamed hunters after the first year of having her in work, so that is what she has done. And boy has she succeeded. She has won me many division championships at local rated shows, hacked with the top warmbloods (and won!), and also had an absolutely stunning Westporte baby somewhere in the middle. Her name is Image and she is beautiful, my very own Black Beauty. She will be with me until the end, love her to bits. So much heart and ability, I always feel like she is on my team and delivers when I need her the most.

Hacking:

[IMG]http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd176/Danielle_Fournier/ImageTrotting2.jpg)

Jumping:

[IMG]http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd176/Danielle_Fournier/ImageJumping1-1.jpg)

She has been the most rewarding thing in my life

[harnessphoto]

In 2013, I took on an OTTB gelding because he had been declared dangerous (he wasn’t, but his owner was an adult beginner who needed an old school horse, not a young racehorse). I took him as a last resort because he was tall, dark, and handsome… and also out of options. I trained him up and it turned out he was a total doll. Everything I threw at him, he handled with a good attitude and a willingness to try and to please. Turns out he also had a great talent for jumping! One year later, I sold him to a young girl who was ready to move up in her show career. The day she came out to try him, they jumped 2’6" with auto changes and all! It was love at first sight and the parents bought him right away. I joke that the horse doesn’t miss me at all because he has his own 13 year old girl to adore him. They are currently showing together. 2015 was their first season and they got Grand Champion in their show series and also qualified for and competed successfully at the big championships at the state capital. They are growing and improving together and seem to be a perfect match! The horse who scared people so badly that he ended up on my doorstep is now a teenager’s prized show horse. It’s like something out of a Disney movie!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kjmkFtGJnI/Ua5sKg_jYSI/AAAAAAAAL-c/sSJawn7UJ7E/s400/IMG_5168.jpg
Headshot from when he lived with us

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQj76FymN2w/Vg6UQKJNg3I/AAAAAAAAaHI/_3wYalqSaWA/s1600/12107881_556706331144862_4300462869600954383_n.jpg
^With his kid

I just picked up two more from his breeder and I’m very excited to see where they go from here!

[TatteredDaydreamer]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8378211]
you know – if they are OTTBs, and you own them and are having fun with them and love them – then to me, that is a success story! It’s not all about who can win the most or whatever. The horses don’t care about that.[/QUOTE]

This!! Please keep the stories coming!

[supershorty628]

My mare is an OTTB, but I can’t say I was the one to start her off the track; I didn’t come into the picture until 7 years later. But she’s pretty much my soulmate.

[Limerick]

[QUOTE=equest;8376779]
Keep the stories coming folks!
I moved to Central Florida about 1.5 years ago and I have been holding off on horse ownership as I became settled into my new job and the area. Now, I’ve been bitten by the bug, found a trainer who will support my goals, and these great stories and photos are inspiring me to keep on looking for the perfect TB for me. :)[/QUOTE]
If you have a trainer that is willing to help you with a TB (there are snotty ones out there that only want WB’s) do it!! My daughter’s OTTB has the BEST work ethic I have ever seen. He is so athletic and brave. I am so glad our trainer found him for us.

[ParadoxFarm]

Okay, mine goes back a few years, but I LOVED this horse. Bought her OTT, and she was turned out for about six months when I got her. She was afraid of a pole on the ground. She would NOT walk over one. Once she conquered that pole on the ground, she was unstoppable. She was 17.1 and six years old when I bought her for 1500.00.

This was her after a few months of riding. She was still super skinny. (Note the stylish brown coat, AND breeches, haha…what did I know back then, there were no COTH forums at that time!!)

Then that winter,

The next summer, https://www.dropbox.com/s/fin5cx1u7bqm1zx/Chicago%20Gross%20Pointe_Page_1.jpg?dl=0
(she could jump! Wish I was a better rider at that time.)

And the third summer, https://www.dropbox.com/s/ok5d0zdk91a2hbg/Chicago%203rd%20year.jpg?dl=0

I loved that mare. She had a great brain and easy way of going. I’d love to find another one like her.

[Whyevernot55]

I have had a couple.

Duncan was dropped in my lap when he was just about to turn 9, and while he’d been off the track a while, he was a problem child with a bad reputation. He turned out to be a fantastic hunter - although the bad days were VERY bad, the good days were amazing, and was one of the best natured horses I’ve ever worked with. I said goodbye to him this winter - neurologic issues related to neck arthritis finally became un-responsive to treatment and he is off romping in the big pasture in the sky.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Whyevernot55/Horses/Duncan/IMG_1549.jpg

Now I have Emmy, an extremely opinionated 5yr old mare who I absolutely didn’t need but fell in love with. She is much too smart for her own good and I think she’s going to be a fabulous littler jumper, and maybe will convince me to do some eventing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Whyevernot55/Horses/Masquerade/IMG_7262_zps77cxsw49.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Whyevernot55/Horses/Masquerade/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-28%20at%204.05.35%20PM_zpswkkrfwur.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Whyevernot55/Horses/Masquerade/IMG_0004_2_zpswf82eofp.jpg

[Albertabound]

We’ve had our OTTB for six fantastic years. We got him for my daughter when she was twelve. I would be in trouble with her if I posted any pictures from when she was twelve, so you will have to believe me when I say that they have come a long way together. He is an amazing horse, and her truest friend.

They enjoyed showing 1.10 m jumpers this season and plan to keep moving up as long as they are both having fun. He loves his job, loves showing off and loves a challenge! He’s a very special boy and we love him to pieces. Many judges and coaches have tried to buy him from us, but that will never happen. He’s our horse for the rest of his life. :yes:

[MKV]

I’ve had my guy (2009 gelding) for almost 2 years now. I found him on Canter KY, but he was also listed here on the COTH Giveaway forum. I got him for free and sight unseen, which admittedly was super risky but it’s worked out for me. We “do” eventing, but I’d really like to try some jumper shows this winter.

We don’t always do super well at shows, and he has some interesting and at times difficult personality traits, but I love every second of owning and riding him. It’s been very rewarding.

This is one of my first rides on him in Jan or Feb 2014
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/mkvalentine/_VMV9565_2_zpsb75c3061.jpg

Here are some pics from September 2015.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/mkvalentine/photo%205_zpsbc8ypt5y.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/mkvalentine/photo%201_zpsoqify8jn.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/mkvalentine/photo%204_zpsyd2luopy.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/mkvalentine/photo%203_zpsl52idcm5.jpg

[BlueWhisper]

This is my 6 yo Once With Energy. She raced 6 times in 2013 then someone else pulled her from Suffolk Downs. I got her about a month later. She’s definitely a MARE, is probably the laziest horse I’ve ever had, and is very food motivated.

This was last year doing the Modified Adults at 2’ - 2’3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKTiMBB0W8g

Freejumping over the winter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0WuLlrQwlE

And doing our first show at 2’9 - 3’ last weekend, which I think was our 6th show total.
Low hunter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TRWogQqSN8
Derby 1st round (ammy adult moment to both of the single oxers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tatKXu60NNc
Derby Handy round: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv7pDgizFPY

We were 5th

[TatteredDaydreamer]

I’m lovin this thread!