Handsome OTTB looking for a home in NY. Gelding

Here is a handsome boy looking for a good home. He has lost an eye but that doesn't bother him. I  have a horse that is blind in one eye and it has never bothered him. Go take a look at this boy!


                    Relatively Ready 15.3 hands dark bay 6 year old gelding

OTTB looking for a home in NY

Here is a super cute mare looking for a home. She is at Finger Lakes race track in NY.



                          Seattle Embers 15 hand chestnut, 4 year old filly

OTTBs are Special Horses

There is just something about a OTTB. They run their hearts out then retire and spend the rest of their lives pleasing their new owner. I love seeing OTTB's in new careers and how well they do in pretty much any discipline.


OTTB Designs offers english and dressage pads, brow bands and coolers let you show your OTTB spirit and look amazing in the process!

                                             

                                                     OTTB Designs

  

Overcoming

I have to say owning my first OTTB hasn't been so easy. My boy Chaleco came of the track on Decemeber 5th 2011. I waited 3 weeks to pull his shoes and he was going along great with a very mild winter. He was turned out with a run in with access to hay 24/7. Then the mud turned from mud to frozen moutains and his first battle began. He got bruised frogs so I wrapped his hooves and that helped him heal. I wasn't supposed to bring him home until April 11th or so and he was staying with a friend until then. He ended up having to wear 3 blankets so he wouldn't shiver and lost a lot of weight due to stress and other issues he was dealing with. I ended up being able to bring him home early and after a few days of settling in took off his blankets and relized just how much work I was going to be doing for this big boy as he was pretty skinny. I put him on a worming program, kept him in his own pasture for 2 months so he could gain weight and not be picked on as he didn't know how to be a horse just yet and would just stand there one another horse tried to move him off the hay. Finally got his weight up and put him in with my 2 other horses and he settled in and everything was going well until he got an abscess in his sole of his hoof and that become very sore for him. Since I don't do shoes I used the Perfect Hoofwear system for his hooves and with in 3 hours he was completely sound of the foot. He did still stand while eating hay with the foot off the ground a bit at times but soon that stopped as well. I have grown up with horses and have been lucky with easy keepers with no issues what so ever. I have always wanted to own a OTTB because there is just something about them. They like to please there owner and are so sweet and loving. It has definately been a learning experience and taught me patience because it took time before I could ride Chaleco and I was dying to ride him. Chaleco is doing great and can't wait for nicer weather so we can hit some trails. If you would like to learn more about perfect hoofwear you can check them out here: http://www.appliedequinepodiatry.org/perfecthoofwear/index.html

The Soul of a Horse by Joe Camp

I was recently given a book called the Soul of a Horse by Joe Camp. I thought cool another horse book and didn't think too much of the book. I started to read it 2 nights ago and I am hooked on the book and can't put it down.

He talks about how horses are supposed to act and be and not what humans have done to them. I train horses and the stuff in the book I am learning more and I know I will have happier horses in the long run. This book is a much read for ANY horse owner or lover.

You can go here and get your own copy and check out his other books and videos

Misunderstood

I have always known about OTTBs( Off Track Thoroughbred) but always thought they weren't for me until I got a friend that took them in all the time and found them good homes. She brought in a gelding and I fell in love, he was refined and big. I knew I wanted to have him but my husband said no new horses until April, she got him in December so I never thought it would work out. But one day everything changed and we worked it out and I got to call him my own. His name is Chaleco and is the sweetest, gentlest horse I have ever had. I can't believe I have never thought about owning a OTTB before now, I am hooked.

Talking to other horse owners I have found that OTTBs are very misunderstood as crazy hot horses. In fact people are asking my why I got one and what the heck I am going to use him for.I have been around many OTTBs and haven't seen one crazy hot one yet, although some need gentle handling than others because how they have been treated and handled. OTTBs can be used for just about any discipline you want to do. They bond with their owner and will please you every way they can.

I am going to share my experiences with my first OTTB and how I handle certain things. I will highlight OTTB rescues, horses needing homes and OTTB companies.