[JWB]

Last Monday I picked up an OTTB from a race training center in Ocala and honestly, at the time I was afraid I might be making a HUGE mistake.

What I was looking for: Green but well restarted, obviously quiet gelding.

What I took home: What appeared to be a drama queen chestnut mare who raced in August and was then chucked out in a field.

We stopped in to see this girl because she was on the way home from another farm we were visiting and we'd heard she was nice looking. Now in her defense, it was the day Hurricane Sandy (then a tropical storm) was passing through and it was VERY windy, and she was pulled out of a field of 10-15 other mares, who were all galloping around, but she came in acting a bit up. We almost didn't even stay to see her ridden, but we wanted to be polite so we waited while the owner jumped on (wearing shorts and sneakers). The owner swore that she rides the horse bareback all over the farm and she used this horse to train her exercise riders because she is so safe, but at the moment, I didn't really believe it.

I hear my trainer muttering, "wow. She's a really nice mover" and a few days later I loaded the girl up and took her home. The whole way home I was having visions of a snorting red she-devil and worrying about what I was getting myself into, but OMG - She's been with us a week and she is the sweetest thing ever! There are definitely lots of things she's never seen, but while she definitely startles and looks, it doesn't go anywhere. She snorts and blows and then goes to check it out.

She had never been bandaged, worn a blanket or lunged, but what she didn't know, she's learning and she's much farther along under saddle than I'd expect for an OTTB.

We started riding her yesterday.
Video

Photo

Pedigree

[scubed]

Pretty girl and super pedigree! I look forward to hearing about the further adventures and maybe meeting her in person in Florida this winter

[Huntersmom]

She is really nice. Looks like you are going to have a lot of fun with her.

[Beam Me Up]

Congrats!! She is gorgeous! Good luck with her!

Btw, I bought my guy from the same trainer, 3 years ago. She was very honest and forthcoming about who he is and he has turned out wonderful.

[JWB]

As long as the old man stays sound, we'll be out and about. She's not ready to play yet, but we'll get her over to Rocking Horse and the FHP at every opportunity to "take in the sights."

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Can't watch the video (yet) but what a lovely looking girl. With that hind end...she will be able to JUMP! Not at all surprised she is a good mover. Have a blast with her.

[maxxtrot]

juli, so glad you found something on your trip up here

[judybigredpony]

Congratulations for Not being detered by a Chestnut mare..she is lovely I am envious...

[JWB]

Wanted to share my update! The red head is coming along beautifully in training. She's just amazingly level headed, very naturally balanced, and straight forward in every sense of the word. She went out on a trail ride on Tuesday (including crossing a stream) and other than a few initial looks at the water, handled it like an old pro!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbLhw...ature=youtu.be

[fairtheewell]

She's super!

[Kryzlstoff]

Love her!!

[left@C]

She's beautiful! I can totally see how you wound up taking her home

[TheJenners]

My goodness she is a pretty girl isn't she? How'd she handle clipping? I'm jealous of how warm it must be there...brrr.

What kind of boots is she wearing?

[SprinklerBandit]

She's gorgeous! Glad you're enjoying her.

[JWB]

I LOVE Florida and can't imagine living anywhere else. Yes, the heat is brutal in the summer but we ride before 9:00 am or after 6:00pm and it's all good. She was fantastic about the clipping. We had to twitch her to do her stomach and ears but for a horse that had never been clipped she was really well behaved.

The boots are a Tack of the Day special - their colored boots. While my inner 8-year old was screaming for red and purple, my ingrained fear of George Morris hunting me down in the night made me just go with the gray (as opposed to my standard black)

[jenm]

Congratulations, she is super cute! It will be fun to watch the two of you progress, so please post updates.

[TheBrownHorse]

She's really lovely!

[ACMEeventing]

Really gorgeous horse flesh, congrats!!

[Isabeau Z Solace]

Gaits show some real potential. Looks like a nice quality horse.

[big_red_ottb]

Lovely mare!! She looks and moves a LOT like my guy - it's funny :-) They're related pretty far back, but nothing super close.