Trusted OTTB resellers in Midwest/KY?

[Lusoluv]

I hope to start my OTTB search in a couple months. I’m in N. IL and am willing to travel (if needed) to WI, IN, KY, OH, MI for a sound OTTB that has been let down, introduced to small jumps and XC, and maybe a schooling show or two under their belt. My main interest is dressage, but also enjoy low level eventing. Have no aspirations to go beyond Novice.

Would love links or names of TRUSTED & CORRECT trainers/resellers who have great reputations for re-schooling OTTBs in this region. I am an experienced rider, have started youngsters when I was younger, and my first horse was an OTTB. Would love to give a great home and active (but not overly demanding) show home to an OTTB again! Would love to begin researching, making contacts, etc. before diving in.

Thanks in advance!

[Inese]

PM sent.

[findeight]

New Vocations, several locations in your target area. They cost a bit more generally but it’s a sale, you own it and they are restarted and evaluated for career direction and rider ability. And they are honest.

[Lusoluv]

Thank you Findeight. Yes, this is exactly the type of referral I’m thinking of. I know the prices will be higher than buying from the track, but I expect that as they’re doing the “heavy lifting” with letting down, evaluation and some level of retraining. I am willing to leave that part up to someone else instead of doing it myself. Of course that process has worth and adds value. Working with correct and honest folks is the most important part of the process. Thanks!

[Sarah315]

Aside from Canter and New Vocations, I can’t recommend anyone, but I’m following your post because I’m in the very same situation.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=Lusoluv;8142949]
Thank you Findeight. Yes, this is exactly the type of referral I’m thinking of. I know the prices will be higher than buying from the track, but I expect that as they’re doing the “heavy lifting” with letting down, evaluation and some level of retraining. I am willing to leave that part up to someone else instead of doing it myself. Of course that process has worth and adds value. Working with correct and honest folks is the most important part of the process. Thanks![/QUOTE]

I just want to strongly recommend them - they are great. I’ve worked with them (NV) a few times and they have always been forthright and honest in what they believe the horse is capable of and what they believe is a good match for you.

I also really like Lisa Molloy from ReRun. She is a little out of your way but they have great horses and are also extremely honest.

[Lord_Helpus]

I love KY for finding OTTB’s, and New Vocations is exactly what you are looking for.

In my 7 years there I bought about 8 - 10 OTTB’s for resale and most of them had wonderful pedigrees and had been trained by excellent trainers who sold them off the track instead of putting them in lower level claimers to get rid of them.

One I did NOT buy was a magnificent 3 year old which sold for over $700,000 as a yearling. A fast talking mattress salesman (Mattress Mac as he was known) had bought him. Sadly he could not run a lick and was a giveaway. Even sadder was his personality which made him almost uncontrollable (he went stright up 2x when I was looking at him – I mean VERTICAL). I passed, even though the trainer assured me that gelding him would go a long way in making him a good horse. I was not sure I would still be alive by that time. But I remember him to this day and wondered what became of him.

But I digress, except to say that often class will tell, and in KY you tend to see horses who have quality pedigrees, and who have been well handled all their lives.

[LauraKY]

Lisa Molly in VA hands down. Check out Second Stride in KY too. I’m not a huge fan of New Vocations since Lisa moved to VA.

[judybigredpony]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;8143167]
Lisa Molly in VA hands down. Check out Second Stride in KY too. I’m not a huge fan of New Vocations since Lisa moved to VA.[/QUOTE]

If you saw the Big Fancy Well Bred TB s I got from Lisa Molloy at ReRun in VA you would swoon!! Not a fan of NV for many many reasons…

[LuvMyTB]

Lisa Stein at Seahorse Eventing will have what you are looking for. All TBs are started at the farm–they trail ride, go through water etc before they go to the track. When they are done racing, they are let down at the farm for several months before they are re-started, and she puts a very solid foundation on them. Most of the horses are homebreds so she has known them since birth. She has a FB page (Seahorse Eventing) or you can PM me for contact info. Located west of Chicago.

[secretariat]

Suggest you contact Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center at the KHP and/or Second Stride (Kim Smith) in Louisville.

[Lizrd]

Following this conversation for future reference.

[Lusoluv]

THANK YOU all for these terrific suggestions. I included KY to my region since that is the heart of TB breeding. I will keep all of these referrals at hand. I’m not looking for the next Rolex competitor, but temperament, heart and soundness (in that order) are key to me. Thanks a million!!

[Auburn]

I made a donation for my current OTTB to the Makers Mark Secretariat Center. I had applied and been accepted at New Vocations and the MMSC. I highly recommend both places.

The only thing that I have to say about the adopting process is to be certain to read your contracts well and do not get them confused like I did. With New Vocations, you cannot ride the horse, before donating. However, if the horse that you get does not work for you, you can return it for another horse. With the MMSC, you can come and ride the horse and see what it has learned. Once the donation is made, you may only return it during the first month of ownership. Both places will let you do your own pre-purchase exams by a Vet. The MMSC requires that you send photos of your horse, every year, to make certain that he is doing well.

It has taken 2 years to bond and finally make it to a mini event with my girl. My 16 year old is not a TB and so easy from the beginning. Chasing Piper (TB’s name) has forced me to become a better rider. Tess was a point and shoot. Piper has quickened my almost 63 year old reflexes, which is a very good thing. Piper is a point and shoot, too. She has gone over everything at which she has been pointed. We are still working on control after the jump, especially on cross country. She was a turf horse, after all.

[scubed]

Markers Mark Secretariat Center. I fostered one of their horses for the winter and he has had excellent training on both the flat and over fences. He is ready to go out and event at BN now.

I would also recommend Elaine Schott http://www.rivermountainfarm.com/sales-horses.html. While she primarily sells horses further on in training, she sometimes has super young TBs and if the barn is too full, they can be a deal.

Slightly higher price points, but often already eventing http://www.teamceoeventing.com/forsale.html

[evntr5218]

I second the Secretariat Center. I have volunteered there and it is a great organization. The prices may my a little more but they go through a pretty thorough evaluation process and are upfront with any injuries etc.
Stay away from Thoroughbred Sport horses ran by Sandra Lattanzio. The name may have changed recently (its hard about 4 different names in 5 years) but these people are bad news. There are actually quite a few threads about them on here.

[findeight]

[QUOTE=evntr5218;8143952]
I second the Secretariat Center. I have volunteered there and it is a great organization. The prices may my a little more but they go through a pretty thorough evaluation process and are upfront with any injuries etc.
Stay away from Thoroughbred Sport horses ran by Sandra Lattanzio. The name may have changed recently (its hard about 4 different names in 5 years) but these people are bad news. There are actually quite a few threads about them on here.[/QUOTE]

Oh, yeah, search Churchill ( a former name), and TB Sporthorses here on COTH.
I recommend a big box of wine, guacamole and chips. Those threads are doozies, house guests and everything. Settle in before you open them up.

[Lusoluv]

Thanks again for everyone’s input!! I didn’t realize I could not test ride horses from New Vocations. That’s quite disappointing as I’d hate to bring home a horse that I might not “click” with. I know they take them back, but again, would hate to put a horse (or myself) through that stress. I’m sure that would have come up during the application process, but good to know up front.

Thanks to those of you who’ve recommended trusted resellers as well. I am willing to spend more for an OTTB who’s had more extensive retraining and evaluation for temperament, etc. This info is priceless. Can’t thank you all enough!!

[UKYeventer]

Don’t let not being able to ride the horse ahead of time scare you away from New Vocations! I looked at horses at both NV and Secretariat Center. I adopted a horse from NV last summer and was thrilled with my experience. They are extremely honest and upfront about each horse’s history and personality (at least at the KY facility). I knew I was willing to wait for the right horse and had a very long wish list. I gave my wish list to Melissa at NV, complete with things I was willing to budge on and those I wouldn’t. Luckily I’m close enough to visit several times. I looked at over ten horses. You aren’t allowed to ride them but can watch them go and are welcomed to handle them on the ground. Melissa is very observant and great at matching horse and rider. My guy had actually been adopted out and returned as he can be sensitive on the ground. But has a lovely brain and is quite personable. Melissa had watched me interact with the other horses and knew we would be a good fit. They told me all the good and bad about him before I took him home, so much so I was expecting him to be a challenge but he has been wonderful. Even with my long list I was able to find the right horse for me in less than three weeks. Just because you don’t see something that fits your wishlist on the website still fill out an application and email Melissa. They always have at least 40 horses at the KY facilty so chances are she has what you are looking for.

They don’t want the horses to be returned because if they are that’s taking a stall away from another horse so I feel like they are a bit more upfront than others might be.

[findeight]

They have an operation in Ohio too. Near Columbus IIRC. Know two trainers who have gotten horses there they trained and resold who went to the AA levels in hunters. Like went to Florida too. I would not rule NV out.