Read the Success Stories for these former Bits & Bytes Farm
horses.
* Former Prospect Horses bought directly from the track or trainer.
* Prospect Horses are horses that were bought from our Web site photos and a vet check. Read "How to Buy a Prospect Horse" for more information.
All photos on this Web site are copyright protected and may not be used without written permission of the owners.
Nancy saddles Dream Pusher for their first ever hunter pace.
Pride of the Fox and Dream Pusher raced across and open field at the hunter pace. August 11, 2007
"Dream Pusher " - SOLD!
Congratulations to Dr.
Nancy Woodruff of Marietta, GA.
- February 28, 2007
Bareback is a blast! Just seven weeks off-the-track and "Dream Pusher" is already being ridden bareback by Nancy.
The smile says it all!
Dream Pusher enjoys the warmth and sunshine in Georgia.
Nancy and Dream Pusher enjoy their first ride together just five days off-the-track!
Click here to see Dream Pusher's Prospect Horse For Sale photos and story.
Bits & Bytes Farm Success Stories |
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Our horses > success stories > Dream PusherDream Pusher
August 13, 2007Words are going to be inadequate to describe this past weekend with Dream. I just had a birthday, and what I really wanted was to be able to take my young horse out of the ring, canter and enjoy the freedom of open space. I was incredibly fortuneate to accompany Elizabeth and Barry and friends at a hunter pace in Alabama.
My 4-yr old, 5-month off the track boy, completely exceeded my hopes and expectations. He behaved like a seasoned trail horse, though I'm told the correct phrase would be a "seasoned fox hunter". He stayed with horses from our barn and he did everything I asked. He trotted, he cantered, and they say he galloped, and it was all quite controlled.
We also went over two small jumps,placed in an open field. Hounds (dogs) walked right by him, aerating devices splashed water around catfish ponds, and a bull stood nearby under a tree. Dream didn't care. His biggest spook was over a dragonfly, and it was minor. His strength and stamina were excellent.
After the ride, a trainer from Birmingham commented that he looked quite fit at the end of the course, and inquired what future plans I have for him. Basically, just to keep up weekly lessons with Karen, keep riding regularly, keep having fun, and who knows what we'll do next! Nancy Elizabeth's Note: We were very proud of this pair. They were a shining example of how versatile Thoroughbreds are. Read more about the hunter pace and see more photos of Dream Pusher and Nancy on our August 11 News page.
August 1, 2007
July 14, 2007
July 1, 2007
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Thank you both so much for going above and beyond to help me, whether on the lunge line or with the web-site. - Nancy
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Yesterday I had a great experience riding Dream; it was also very strange. Strange, in that it seemed completely normal to be asking him to canter, and he responded like it was something we'd been doing all along. In fact, it was the 1st time I asked for a canter, and I was riding him with only a bareback pad. It is so odd,in that it all seemed natural and familiar for us. He is a great horse, and I'm totally amazed at how willing and co-operative he is. I can't wait to see what we're doing in another 4 wks! Thanks for all your continuing help and support.
-Nancy
I must be dreaming!
Yesterday Elizabeth suggested I ride some either bareback or with no stirrups, to improve my leg strength,which at times is quite wobbly. So today, I bought a bareback pad at a tack close-out sale, and then I rode Dream with no saddle! He is very sweet and gentle, or I never would have done this.
We walked and trotted, and he is so calm and manageable. I can't imagine that he was racing about 7 weeks ago, and I've only had him 4 weeks. Now I'm riding him bareback! It is very amazing to see him putting on weight and seeming happier. I never would have believed he would be so gentle, and that we'd be progressing like this.
Well I've been the proud owner of Dream for almost three weeks now. It remains very exciting to have my own OTTB, and keep him at Bits and Bytes, where I get so much support and help. We have come a long way,with definite issues as we go. The biggest issue has been getting Dream to walk with me from the barn to the ring. He would prefer to stay with his friends, and there might be a monster up there anyway. We (Elizabeth, Karen, and Friend Conny) tried a few strategies,and I now use a chain across his nose,attached to the lead line, like he had at the track.
Today he went well with that,using minimal pressure. He looks like he is putting on a bit of needed weight,and is a lot calmer - so am I. I was able to ride him for about 45 minutes today for a lesson with Karen, mostly walking, turning, bending, halting, and some trotting. It was very windy and he had been inside yesterday, due to rain - yet he was so calm that I didn't need to lunge him before riding.
I didn't know what to expect with a green, thin, weak in the rear, young horse. It's like a lot of things in life - 1 step forward, 2 steps backward, and then 3 forward. Anyway, this is a very amazing journey. And, Dream is enjoying it,too!
Nancy
This has been one of the best weeks of my entire life. Actually, the past two months have been very amazing, as I came to know Elizabeth and Barry, other riders at Bits & Bytes Farm, and of course,the horses. These OTTBs are the most beautiful, smart,and responsive horses I've met. Mind you, for the past 1 1/2 years, I've taken lessons about three times a week, at about five different barns. I really didn't know if I'd be able to ride these guys, or even go in their stalls to check them for any minor injuries (every day when they are brought in from pasture they are checked). Well, we have made great strides. With the help of other "Friends", Karen Boysen who is giving me lessons, and mostly from Elizabeth and Barry, I'm now the proud owner of Dream Pusher. I got to ride him today, just FIVE days off the track! When you consider that I'm in my 50's and a bit nervous by nature, this is nothing short of a miracle, and what fun.
Thank you, for making my Dream come true!
- Nancy
Below is Dream Pusher's Prospect Horse for Sale photo. Click here to see Dream Pusher's Prospect Horse For Sale photos and story.