Adopting and OTTB?

legendsneverdie · 08-14-2009, 10:15 PM

I have one now and plan on getting another after we finalize the new house. I just don't know how to go about getting one. <lol>

Legend just happened to be an ottb, he was passed through a couple homes before I got him and I guess I was just lucky

So what do I need to do?

legendsneverdie · 08-16-2009, 09:26 PM

anyone?!?!?!?!?!

abagayle · 08-16-2009, 09:39 PM

Call local racetracks and ask about available horses. Make sure you're ready... its quite a commitment.

Shannon · 08-16-2009, 10:46 PM

www.thehorse.com has free TB listings, and I've seen a couple in AZ

Also, there is now a California chapter of Canter, if that's not too far to travel.

Friesiangirl · 08-16-2009, 11:08 PM

I second the commitment thing. If they are fresh off the track, you are looking to a 6-18 month "cool down" from track mode to just being a horse. This is usually best done by pasture rest and forage feed rather than high energy grains (Even if they are thin). This down time is totally worth it, but if they've been off the track longer, training can still be an issue.

Retraining is much different than training, but equally time consuming yet rewarding. Good luck with your search!

California isn't too far, really for a good horse:

www.tbfriends.com

They have great animals and they are amazing people.

Hayley

legendsneverdie · 08-17-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abagayle

Call local racetracks and ask about available horses. Make sure you're ready... its quite a commitment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friesiangirl

I second the commitment thing. If they are fresh off the track, you are looking to a 6-18 month "cool down" from track mode to just being a horse. This is usually best done by pasture rest and forage feed rather than high energy grains (Even if they are thin). This down time is totally worth it, but if they've been off the track longer, training can still be an issue.

Retraining is much different than training, but equally time consuming yet rewarding. Good luck with your search!

California isn't too far, really for a good horse:

www.tbfriends.com

They have great animals and they are amazing people.

Hayley

I appreciate the concern and I am aware of the time, energy, money, and patience it takes to work with them. Seeing Legend grow and change in the year and a half i've had him has been amazing. I know that if I get another one it won't be the same, I won't expect the same result in the same time, but i'm more than prepared to do everything I can to help

PinkJumper · 08-17-2009, 11:11 AM

There are alot of Free TB's for sale.You really need commitment. I have two OTTBs i love them one is 6 the other is 13 and is a saint. Poker my 6 year old still needs alot of work,the sometimes dont use there brains but theyare awsome. google.com it! alot of results will come up! Good Luck!

Beeks · 08-20-2009, 12:26 PM

I got mine from our local track within 24 hours of his last race. He was my first horse ever. I was told not to buy the first horse I saw, or a horse off the track. He was also the first horse I looked at. I could not have gotten a better horse for me, had I spent months looking. I bought him because his owners and trainers knew he did not like racing. He was bred for it...but just didn't get that "wanna win" gene.

In my ignorance, I took him home, threw a western saddle complete with belly cinch and breast collar, on him, shoved a cheapy curb bit in his mouth and took off down the road. We had a great time. I think, because I was too stupid to be scared or even know how foolish it was to do what I was doing, he decided everything was cool and he has been that way since. He turned 27 this past May. I bought him, when he was four.

Maybe my experience was unique, but I think we do a disservice to the OTTB's when we categorize them as hot heads with more braun than brain. Any young horse takes time and commitment.

If you have a local track...check them out and ask around. That is what I did. Many trainers and owners understand that their horses are not cut out for the track and want to see them go to good homes. Mine was due to be sold to a man from Montana who was going to continue to race him into the ground. I got him for $400 less, because I wanted a trail horse. She was more than happy to take the cut, to see him happy and safe.

divinecomedy · 08-20-2009, 12:36 PM

OTTBs dont necessarily need time off. It wouldn't be harmful to start him/her right away; most of them are used to being worked consistently 6-7 days a week and receiving endless attention so being thrown into a pasture and ignored is kind of a culture shock. Plus, they already have the muscle mass and athletic ability to flow right into another sport. OTTBs have incredible work ethic and aren't the crazed animals people make them out to be.

In some cases, however, time off is a good thing. You just have to judge based on the horse.

red00jeep · 08-20-2009, 12:56 PM

http://www.canterusa.org/
http://www.lopetx.org/horses-available/thoroughbreds/
http://www.tbfriends.com/index.php

! Usually these programs will put some free training into their horses. I really recommend the last guy, Joe at TB friends. I have heard nothing but absolutely amazing praise about him, he is supposed to be a God send. He may not have all available horses on the pages, give him a call, he's always looking to place a quality, sound horse. Good luck!

08-14-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
legendsneverdie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: That one really hot place... hmmmm... oh! Arizona Posts: 722 Images: 15	Adopting and OTTB? I have one now and plan on getting another after we finalize the new house. I just don't know how to go about getting one. <lol> Legend just happened to be an ottb, he was passed through a couple homes before I got him and I guess I was just lucky So what do I need to do? __________________ Legends Never Die "Legend" Keyhole Sassy Doc "Chico" Willow Member of the Diseased Thread Club Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! lbs Lost: 0

08-16-2009, 09:26 PM	#2
legendsneverdie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: That one really hot place... hmmmm... oh! Arizona Posts: 722 Images: 15	anyone?!?!?!?!?! __________________ Legends Never Die "Legend" Keyhole Sassy Doc "Chico" Willow Member of the Diseased Thread Club Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! lbs Lost: 0

08-16-2009, 09:39 PM	#3
abagayle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Yavapai County, Arizona Posts: 1,055 Images: 10	Call local racetracks and ask about available horses. Make sure you're ready... its quite a commitment. __________________ ♥♥ Kezia Lenore ♥♥ ~ my beloved monster!

08-16-2009, 10:46 PM	#4
Shannon Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 10,831 Images: 1017 Blog Entries: 63	www.thehorse.com has free TB listings, and I've seen a couple in AZ Also, there is now a California chapter of Canter, if that's not too far to travel. __________________ Mariah - 15 year old KWPN Dutch WB mare I ride earthquakes like I ride horses, often and with talent. And that's only ONE of my talents.

08-16-2009, 11:08 PM	#5
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 9,846 Images: 226 Blog Entries: 22	I second the commitment thing. If they are fresh off the track, you are looking to a 6-18 month "cool down" from track mode to just being a horse. This is usually best done by pasture rest and forage feed rather than high energy grains (Even if they are thin). This down time is totally worth it, but if they've been off the track longer, training can still be an issue. Retraining is much different than training, but equally time consuming yet rewarding. Good luck with your search! California isn't too far, really for a good horse: www.tbfriends.com They have great animals and they are amazing people. Hayley __________________ A ruthlessly condensed training only leads to a general superficiality, to travesties of the movements, and to a premature unsoundness of the horse. Nature cannot be violated. Colonel Alois Podhajsky

08-17-2009, 11:11 AM	#7
PinkJumper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,176 Images: 12	There are alot of Free TB's for sale.You really need commitment. I have two OTTBs i love them one is 6 the other is 13 and is a saint. Poker my 6 year old still needs alot of work,the sometimes dont use there brains but theyare awsome. google.com it! alot of results will come up! Good Luck! __________________ http://greyhorsetack.webs.com/ Grey Horse Tack

08-20-2009, 12:26 PM	#8
Beeks Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Washington Posts: 4,340 Images: 351	I got mine from our local track within 24 hours of his last race. He was my first horse ever. I was told not to buy the first horse I saw, or a horse off the track. He was also the first horse I looked at. I could not have gotten a better horse for me, had I spent months looking. I bought him because his owners and trainers knew he did not like racing. He was bred for it...but just didn't get that "wanna win" gene. In my ignorance, I took him home, threw a western saddle complete with belly cinch and breast collar, on him, shoved a cheapy curb bit in his mouth and took off down the road. We had a great time. I think, because I was too stupid to be scared or even know how foolish it was to do what I was doing, he decided everything was cool and he has been that way since. He turned 27 this past May. I bought him, when he was four. Maybe my experience was unique, but I think we do a disservice to the OTTB's when we categorize them as hot heads with more braun than brain. Any young horse takes time and commitment. If you have a local track...check them out and ask around. That is what I did. Many trainers and owners understand that their horses are not cut out for the track and want to see them go to good homes. Mine was due to be sold to a man from Montana who was going to continue to race him into the ground. I got him for $400 less, because I wanted a trail horse. She was more than happy to take the cut, to see him happy and safe. __________________ Your horse called. He said "Get off the computer!" I've been "Gobbled" and I liked it.

08-20-2009, 12:36 PM	#9
divinecomedy Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 76 Images: 13	OTTBs dont necessarily need time off. It wouldn't be harmful to start him/her right away; most of them are used to being worked consistently 6-7 days a week and receiving endless attention so being thrown into a pasture and ignored is kind of a culture shock. Plus, they already have the muscle mass and athletic ability to flow right into another sport. OTTBs have incredible work ethic and aren't the crazed animals people make them out to be. In some cases, however, time off is a good thing. You just have to judge based on the horse. __________________ PROUD OWNER of Rude Awakening, 1988 Thoroughbred :: Boo Who, 2000 Thoroughbred :: Divine Comedy, 1999 Hackney/Welsh

08-20-2009, 12:56 PM	#10
red00jeep Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Deep in the heart of Texass Posts: 400 Images: 2	http://www.canterusa.org/ http://www.lopetx.org/horses-available/thoroughbreds/ http://www.tbfriends.com/index.php ! Usually these programs will put some free training into their horses. I really recommend the last guy, Joe at TB friends. I have heard nothing but absolutely amazing praise about him, he is supposed to be a God send. He may not have all available horses on the pages, give him a call, he's always looking to place a quality, sound horse. Good luck!

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