From Lauren:
OTTB Update Central
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Eventing Nation, you have asked for it and you shall receive! After being bombarded with requests for further details, pictures, and updates of the recently off-the-track TB’s that have been mentioned in my columns, I am here to meet your demands. While it isn’t typically my policy to negotiate with terrorists (you know who you are, threatening to stalk our babies around the KY Horse Park snapping blurry pictures and scribbling notes while our boys trot around the warm up like gentleman, all in hopes of finding ‘The Secret’ to the perfect OTTB) I will allow it just this once. Don’t get used to it! I am only making this one exception in hopes of pleasing the rather terroristic Truck Soundness Gods in any means possible. I sit here typing at Paul Miller Ford with more complaints than a hypochondriac with shingles at the Urgent Care clinic. While I have not typically found my Ford to represent the age-old adage of FoundOnRoadDead (I prefer FirstOnRaceDay), I wasn’t thrilled to get out of my truck at home last night to the smell of break pad and a disc hot enough to fry eggs on. Um, is this shiny silver heat shield looking stuff supposed to be smoking? I don’t think oil is supposed to pool there. Yes, I know I’m 2000 mi overdue for an oil change…sure, go ahead and do one and I’ll just sign over my second-born since you’re already getting my first. Enough about that. Without further ado, prepare yourself for baby OTTB awesomeness.
When we last left our best and brightest young 4-legged beauties, Myles (owned by Alison Wilaby) and Jacardi (owned by little ol’ me) had just been whisked away to their new homes in Lexington and were happily stuffing their faces full of bluegrass in big fields with new buddies. Ali and I have been lucky enough to find two OTTB’s that represent the absolute epitome of the OTTB ideal. Their basic Facebook profiles are as follows:
Atomic Speed (Myles)
Birthday: March 25, 2009 (I bet I know someone who wants a carrot cake later this month!)
Sex: Male (sans huevos)
Relationship Status: It’s Complicated with Rocket The Mini Man
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Current Location: Lexington, KY
Family: Toccet (Father), Atomic Number (Mother), Rahy (Grandfather), Alison Wilaby (Step-Mother), Burton Sipp (Step-Father/Trainer)
Profile Picture:
Cover Photo:
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Myles has been off the track right for a little more than a month and is currently hacking out happily, trotting poles, and generally being a camera ham. Some tips when looking for a horse just like him that is absolutely ideal for almost any amateur, quiet to the extreme, and full of untapped ability to be anything and pursue any career:
- When viewing horses at the track, look for the one with his or her head over the stall guard, ears perked, ready to lick an outstretched hand and accept a treat. There are plenty of horses whose nappy attitudes will come right around when turned out and allowed to live the life of a normal horse but if your choice prospect is already a big teddy bear at the track, you’re in serious business!
- If you are fortunate enough to get to take the horse on trial and ride him or her, as Ali was, or even to have a friendly exercise rider gallop the horse at the track, don’t worry too much about steering or acceptance of the bit. DO pay close attention to willingness, fluster-ability, and anti-lock breaking system functionality. Everything else will come.
- Conformation is obviously key. While things to typically avoid include injuries, mile-long pasterns, ewe necks, fence post conformation in front, and long cannon bones (just to name a few), the first three things that I look at on any horse at any track are expression/eye, shoulder/hip angles, and GOOD FEET. Most other things can be dealt with.
- Last but not least, if the pony that has caught your eyes wants to cuddle you into next week and, *respectfully*, be in your lap, that’s always a plus!
Myles will spend the summer learning his new job, maybe competing a little bit, and being the apple of Ali’s eye…unless, of course, another OTTB lover sees him out and about and decides they just can’t live without him. Word on the street is that he may even get a new sibling to boot! Funny how those things multiply.
Jacardi (JJ)
Birthday: March 26, 2008 (I think a dual birthday party may be in order for these boys!)
Sex: Male (without cajones)
Relationship Status: In A Relationship with Taler (My competition horse. Love triangle, much!?)
Hometown: West Grove, Pennsylvania
Current Location: Lexington, KY
Family: Congaree (Father), Wisdom’s Way (Mother), Sky Classic (Grandfather), Lauren Nethery (Step-Mother), Joe Schrage (Step-Father/Trainer)
Profile Picture:
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Timeline Video Brag of First Official Time Over Fences (one week off the track):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
JJ last ran on 1/1/13 and arrived at my farm around February 1. Precocious, bold, and willing, JJ immediately toured the local Bluegrass schooling stops and, in a stroke of OTTB luck, got to enjoy a little vaca to Aiken to tour Hitchcock Woods, Full Gallop, and Jumping Branch in just a short few days. Some tips for the go-get-em kind of rider on the hunt for an energetic, athletic, legitimate upper level prospect with some extra zip ‘under the hood:’
- When viewing horses on the track, never be afraid to pursue one that ‘really catches your eye’. Ask around about any horse in any stall that you really think just possess that ‘it’ factor. They may be Graded Stakes Winners that will never, ever be for sale to off-the-tack homes (usually my luck, expensive taste and all) but, then again, they may have chased the ambulance home last time out for a $2,500 claiming price (oh yes, those races DO exist…lots of them) and you may be the owner/trainer’s new best friend.
- Again, if you are fortunate enough to either get to ride or to watch someone else ride your favorite prospect, there are three personality traits that I look for in upper level prospects that vary slightly from those I seek in horses that are more likely to be suitable to any rider anywhere (because, really, sane horses don’t often go Advanced). Dancing around, jigging, and having a propensity to go forward and a rate of speed perhaps a little faster than requested are not off-putting to me. This nervous energy will likely dissipate once the horse is turned out and allowed to live a normal horsey life. I do always ask two basic questions to horses that I am seriously interested in purchasing:
- When I correct you (in as firm a manner as the situation dictates), how do you respond?
- Is your natural predisposition to walk over, around, or through an obstacle in your way (this includes puddles, 2×4’s, straw bales, and any other commonplace shedrow items that I can throw down in the aisle)?
JJ has already proved to be the consummate professional in every situation that I have presented before him and, if not sold (which is the more likely possibility), will make a Beginner Novice debut at Spring Bay in April.
Good luck in your quest for your next OTTB love, EN readers, and if you need ANY help or enabling when it comes to OTTB hunting, shopping, viewing, or purchasing, please do not hesitate to ask me at [email protected]. Also, don’t forget to send questions about your new OTTB’s crazy habits, quirks, and neurosis to me to answer next week! Go gallop your former racehorse so you can (very soon) GO EVENTING!
