You may not know who Steuart Pittman is, but let me introduce you. He owns and runs his family's farm, Dodon Farm, which dates back to the 18th or 19th century. But today, not only does it produce eventing Thoroughbreds, it's also stands Steuart's amazing Jockey Club Throughbred stallion, Salute the Truth, who took Steuart to the advanced level and is highly sought after by mare owners across the country for his propensity to pass on incredible bone and athletic talent to his progeny. His website also has a great series of essays on, well, just about anything. I dare you to click "Steuart Says!"
But while all that is great in and of itself, that's not what I'm really here to talk about. You see, Steuart is passionate about the off-the-track Thoroughbred and is a major force working to promote these horses for second careers in sport, as he is more than familiar with their heart, agility, intelligence, and try. I HIGHLY encourage you to take the time to read a paper he put together for the National Throughbred Racing Association on expanding the ex-racehorse market. He and his wife (Sorry, Erin, if I got that wrong, but I'm going to go with that) have started an incredible force in motion. Titled, "The Retired Racehorse Training Project," it creates a place where owners and buyers can search bloodlines of horses competing today for trends (enter YOUR TB in the Bloodline Brag, I put Encore in there!), where people can contact trainers who work with the OTTB, and where, perhaps most fun of all, you can follow the "RRTP Trainer Challenge."
Much like the Mustang Makeover, this challenge takes four horses, fresh from the track, and pairs them with three trainers: Eric Dierks, Terry Blackmer and Tiffany Catledge. They have just chosen their horses from the pool late last week and from the drop down menu on the RRTP page under "Programs," you can follow the blog of each one as they bring these horses along. Each horse will be for sale at the end of the challenge, which lasts five weeks.
Steuart designed the program to be a showcase for the OTTB and to educate the public about just how wonderful these horses can be. They are not bolting, spooking, fire-breathing dragons, fit for only the hardiest pro. They are often, in fact, kind, willing horses who go on to perform with all their heart as amateur hunters, eventers, dressage horses, and even western and trail horses.
So I encourage you to go check it out and follow along -- I can't wait to read more from each trainer and see how each horse develops in what, to them, in a whole new world.
4 hours ago
I love that this program came along. Big names getting involved is wonderful to get more exposure. GO OTTBS!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea! I think a lot of people have some misconceptions about Thoroughbreds coming right off the track - like you said, people think they can only be handled by the pros. One lady at my barn got a three year old off the track two years ago - she's always been one of the most sensible horses at the barn and is great to work with. She basically has her own fan club at the barn!
ReplyDeleteGive me a few years and I will be looking into ottb (: just have to get put of school first for more free time.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally psyched about this and the Jockey Club's TB Incentive Program (TIP) giving OTTB's an even better chance of having great second lives!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as someone who had never retrained/trained any horse and who got an OTTB mare so fresh from the track that I picked her up there. OTTB's aren't just for the pro's. I've had a few lessons with a couple of trainers, but for the most part I have retrained my mare myself. There are a few nut OTTB's out there but what breed doesn't have those? OTTB's can do anything. So glad that people in the spotlight are trying to shine some of that light on this fact.
ReplyDeleteI'm following... love the idea! And, Tiffany Catledge was the woman who broke and trained my horse. I bought her from the breeder who also bred her two competition horses... Her projects are lucky horses, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI've had 2 OTTB's, both had been off the track for a bit (both mares that had been put in foal).
ReplyDeleteThe one that had been turned out for 6 months after weaning her foal needed all my talent as an experienced green horse rider, as she was the spooky, fire breathing dragon (and still the best horse I have ever ridden - so, so worth it).
The other was a tiny wee mare that until a few days before I got her, had been used off and on as the 'leader' when teaching the others int he stable to steeple chase... she was a lot eaiser to work with, much more laid back, but did have a habit of trying to jump everything at steeplechase speed - and stand WAY off her fences (trotting poles and small x bars) until she learned the difference in what was required. But I like horses with a bit of go, so I was happy, I rejected some when I was looking as they were too ploddy. I think you can get every type of temprement of the track - and you even get some that get spun at the trials stage as they just don't want to race - these tend to be the really quiet ones in my experience, and can be a lot of fun.
I've been following this and it is very exciting! If you know what to look for there are SOOOO many wonderful OTTBs out there. I'm very very hopeful that I will have my own someday in the somewhat near future!
ReplyDeleteLovely post about the horse challenge. I love horses.
ReplyDeleteYes, one of the things I love about the OTTB's in that there are so many different types. But most of them will try their heart out for you once they understand their job.
ReplyDeleteOne thing my old farrier said about the difference between arabs and TB's (we had both at the time) wa that the arab will give you everything, but is smart enough to stop before it kills itself (normally) the tb however will go until it drops dead.
ReplyDeleteIt was something we noticed a few times - the arab will gently ask "are you really sure that is a good idea?" (think some of the steep country on the LoTR movies, at a teenagers pace) while the tb's went "ok, you know what you're doing". Some how, we never killed or injured us or the horses!
:p You would post this while I'm horseless and oogling OTTBs to begin with.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, Deered, you are so right. My best friend has an arab she endurance races and we often train with them. Her Arab is an expert at conserving energy and he ALWAYS has leftover. Mine are GOGOGOGOGOOGOGOOGOGOGO OMG, i'm tireddd....
ReplyDeleteSB, I'm happy to enable, I can send you some email addresses.....
ReplyDeleteAnd after riding both, I'm still torn as to which I like best! I think I'll have to take one of each when I get to the point when my job doesn't have me out of town half the time!
ReplyDeleteHahahah, that's right, Deered, just go for both! Variety is the spice of life!
ReplyDelete