HORSE SALES
Uniting horses with new owners, assessing their potential and training them to be marketable is a great reward. I take time with each one to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, whether it be an ex-racehorse or a horse with 'issues'. I've developed my skills through a life-time of learning all these amazing creatures have to teach us. My program produces positive change in the skill base, rideability, confidence and happiness of every horse. If you're looking for a sporthorse prospect, a gentle trail horse, a beginner safe horse or have any specific requirements, chances are I can find you a good fit.
I’ve developed my program for reschooling
racehorses through trial and error over the years.
I’ve traveled coast-to-coast looking for prospects
and can fully trust my instincts when I find a special
horse and am very picky. The non-compromising qualities I look for are
soundness, a level-headed mind, obedience and trainability. Not as important are color, perfect conformation or a ‘pretty’ face.
Once a horse comes into my care, the list of things to do is generally always the same. If they haven’t had any let-down, they need that first. Time to be out of a stall, out of daily works and races, off the muscle and time to just be a horse. At the same time, I cut their grain, pull their shoes, turn out on pasture and assess their overall health, mentally and physically.
The key ingredient in beginning reschooling first and foremost, is overall health and establishing a mutually respectful relationship. The amount of time needed here is different for each horse. I always treat each horse as if they are a young colt being backed. If there are holes in their foundation, I want to find them on the ground first so work begins in the round pen with natural horsemanship techniques. Under saddle training begins with quiet, relaxed works gradually asking for a little more every day. After a bit of strength is built back up, I put them through a free jump chute. I observe their problem solving capabilities, such as how to adjust their stride, whether they are forward, like jumping and have natural ability.
Once a horse is solid in flat work, w/t/c both directions, free-jumped, has good manners and mentality, they are ready to go to a new owner. Depending on how they react to reschooling, I take whatever time they need to become dependable in work and fully embrace their new job. Whatever arena it may be, I experience the reward of setting them up for success.
My Off Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Program
AVAILABLE HORSES:
Hero, the day after he arrived from the track
Heros Dont Die - 2013 Gelding, 15.3, RRP Eligible
I first met Hero at Arapahoe Park when I trainer I know told me he had a horse for me. I was not prepared to ride that day, no boots or helmet, but the trainer convinced me to hop on and ride him. I rode him bareback out of his stall and around the barn and he was a perfect gentlemen. At the end of the race meet, Hero came to me underweight, 'frozen' in contact with people and had been out of work for over a month. His rehabilitation has been so rewarding! He is now healthy in both mind and body. This Warhorse had 38 starts, his only win in June of 2021. He only raced 2 more times after the win finishing last. The trainer said he knew his job was to win and when he accomplished that after a long career, his heart wasn't in racing anymore.
Daily turnout with other horses, a diet of mostly grass hay and learning to bond with his 'people' has made Hero come out of his shell. Now he nickers when I come to work him, is soft with his feet, happy in slow progressive training and a lovely ride. He is athletic, has a sharp mind and remarkably supple for an 8-year-old OTTB. He has an old superficial scar on his right front but a clean cannon bone. Otherwise he has clean legs and completely sound. Recently shod with front steel shoes and barefoot on hinds. Excellent for the farrier. He is quick to pick up new training aids and will need to continue lateral work, building a top line and steadiness in the bridle. Hero is very willing and I see an Eventing career in his future, however, this sporty horse could go in any direction. $3800
PAST PROJECTS
Crafty Figgy - 5-year-old OTTB
Figgy only raced once and then her owners decided to get out of the racing business. This mare has 3 lovely gaits and you could sit her trot all day long! Super quiet temperament with a ton of self confidence, Figgy was sold to a wrangler in Steamboat Springs to be used as her personal horse on a ranch. OTTB's can do anything!
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Sweet Charlie - 5-year-old OTTB
Charlie is a big 5-year-old, super obedient and quiet mare with big bone and great feet. She is very stong and balanced in all three gaits both directions. Amazing temperament and work ethic. Charlie is a lovely ride with smooth gaits and soft in the bridle. Congratulations to Lee Foster of Golden. CO on his purchase of the dressage prospect.
Figure Me In - 7-year-old OTTB
I received a call from a racing owner with 4 OTTBs they were looking to rehome as they were getting out of the race industry. Dennis progressed quickly in training and was purchased by Suzy Parker of Gunnison, CO
Holy Grand - 5-year-old OTTB
When I arrived to pick up Grand at Arapahoe Race Track, I pulled him out of his stall to discover he was 17h. Initial plans were to keep him for the 2019 RRP and schooled him accordingly. Life changes forced his sale in the spring of 2019 to a perfect home with amateur Abby Jenkins who is pursuing her dressage ambitions as well as enjoying him with her young children.
Whata Country Day - 3-year-old OTTB
Country is a KY bred gelding who raced at Balterra 5 times with one second place finish. He is a stunning horse, beautiful color and long gorgeous tail. His movement is expressive, balanced and carries himself in natural head and neck flexion. He is ultra relaxed in work under saddle, somewhat lazy and a kick ride. Kelly Pinkerton of Denver, CO purchased Country in December of 2018.
Negro Primero - 9-yer-old OTTB
Negro retired from racing in August, 2018. In his 5-year racing career, this FL bred gelding won races in 4 states retiring sound. Negro is one of those horses who has an 'I've been everywhere' attitude about everything he encounters. "Winston" now resides in Sadalia, CO with his new owner Kathy Burr.
Happy Caro Cat - 'Syrup' 3-year-old OTTB
This big red gelding reminded me of Ferdinand the Bull. The first thing I noticed when I saw him were his big hooves and large bone. He seemed like a Labrador puppy, both in build and temperament and I started calling him Grandpa Syrup. He showed amazing scope in the free jump chute and always an eager to please attitude. When Megan Sheffield came to ride him, he gave 110% for her. Megan and Syrup are a perfect match and I look forward to following their Eventing career.
With Esteem - 'Esty' 3-year-old OTTB
When I met Esty, I knew he was special. He was not pretty, but he had an old soul. In training, he proved to be not only wise and obedient, but incredibly athletic and fancy. He took new experiences in stride with confidence and self-assurance. Speaks volumes that Kathy Coming, of Parker, CO., had to have him after 8 months of Eventing prospect shopping! Excited to see their partnership flourish.
'Bear' - 12-year-old AQHA gelding, 16.1.
Bear spent the past 6 years being a ranch horse for a Crested Butte cowboy. His owner decided it was time for him to have a new job. He looked the part of a typey English horse and sure enough, became quite happy in training for this new discipline. Congratulations to Sam Siegfried, from Aiken, SC now living at Lake Irwin with her family. After an 8-year hiatus, Sam is back in the saddle and she and Bear are a perfect pair!
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Cajun Town - 3-year-old OTTB gelding, 16.2, dk bay.
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Cajun Town is a CA bred who worked at Turf Paradise in AZ but never raced. Despite coming to me slightly immature and with a limited education in flat work, he progressed quickly and quietly in training. A '9' walk, floatly trot and rhythmic canter, elegant and classy, Cajun is an excellent Eventing prospect for his new owner Annie Kakela of Steamboat Springs, CO.
Bob T - 3-year-old OTTB gelding, 16.1, bay.
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Bob, CA bred with 5 starts, is the easiest OTTB horse I've ever had. After one month let-down, he went right to work with forward, relaxed w/t/c work within one month of training. Uphill and naturally balanced movement, and a barn favorite for his lovable personality. Congratulations Sam Jannereth of CO Springs.
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'Pete' - 10-year-old APHA gelding, 15h, dun overo.
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Pete's previous owners used him primarily for trail riding, however, he was started in reining. Pete became a valuable lesson horse teaching 6-year-olds to adults with an unflappable, dependable attitude in both English and Western, even a little jumping. Congratulations Dianne Howes of Pecos, NM.
Thrifty Pack - 3-year-old OTTB gelding, 16.1, bay.
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Thrifty is an AZ bred who raced at Arapahoe Park in CO. This horse impressed me most with his mind when I looked at him and he proved himself tenfold in training. His balanced gaits and level head made him a perfect first OTTB project for a talented 15-year-old young rider, Leah Braudis, of Carbondale, CO.
Bartholomew D'Avalon - RPSI Premium Colt, gray.
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"Bart" is a homebred colt out of my 17.1h Holsteiner mare, Orca, by German Riding Pony stallion Belefonte D'Avalon. He earned Site Champion, Premium Colt accolades at the RSPI Inspection as a foal and now resides with Ashley Dunkle, a H/J rider in Denver, CO.
Sea Fox, "Foxy Lady" - 2007 RPSI Mare, gray.
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Foxy is a homebred mare out of 17.1h Holsteiner mare, Orca, by TB stallion Sea Accounts. Michelle Mcnamara, of Boulder, CO., purchased Foxy as a 2-year-old and has since taken her up the levels in Eventing, currently competing and enjoying success at the CCI* level. Well done Michelle!
Cangaroo - HOL/TB gelding, 16.2, chestnut.
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Roo was my Eventing partner for 6 years from BN to Preliminary. We enjoyed many adventures competing across the country and much success, ranked 3rd with USEA at Training in 2006. A talented and once-in-a-lifetime horse, Roo retired from Eventing to a less strenuous life in Snowmass, CO with an adult amatuer.
'Stormy' - 5-Year-Old OTTB Gelding, 16.1, bay.
I brought Stormy home from Charlestown racetrack along with 2 mares. My friend Michelle Craig tried to buy him from me the evening after I bought him at the Warrenton Hunt Ball! He took to re-school rapidly and in 5 months, we competed at CHP in BN.
'Jolie' - 4-year-old OTTB, mare. 15.3, black.
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This pretty mare came from Charlestown, WV to CO on the same trailer with Stormy back in 2008. Erika and Darian Montgomery purchased her shortly after and have owned her ever since!
'Fred' - 6-Year-Old OTTB Gelding, 17h, gray.
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Fred came sight unseen, just from pictures and videos, through Katie Peery in OR. An incredibly easy-going, lovely big horse who was a breeze to re-school.