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.
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Brett was one of our 25 Special Horses who came to Bits & Bytes Farm for retraining in July 2006.
Brett is learning to jump with the help of his mom Judi Edwards. January 6, 2007
Brett and Judi in July 2007.
"Brett" at a recent show where he won 3rd place! March 24, 2007
"Brett" won a ribbon at his first recognized horse show! January 2007
walked on a loose rein, and then, even in the company of 15, trotted softly and round on a loose rein. He sure felt pleasurable!
- Judi
"Brett" won sixth place out of 15 riders in the English Pleasure class.
Brett is learning to jump by walking over ground poles. December 2006
Brett and his mom Judi. - December 2006
Brett and his new mom Judi Edwards - September 18, 2006
Elizabeth fell in love with Brett in February at his breeder's farm.
Brett was just a little three year old when we found him at his breeder's farm - November 2005.
Bits & Bytes Farm Success Stories |
Our horses > success stories > Finder's Reward aka "Brett"Finder's Reward aka "Brett"
July 11, 2008OK, so for most of you, this is no big deal...but for me it was huge. Brett and I did our first ever flying changes today. 'Our' is the key word--I started Straw on them, but didn't get to finish the job. Archie never mastered them. Brett took two trot steps on the L to R change, and did a wonderful, synchronous (didn't swap the front first), R to L. Yee haa--what a great day! Judi May 16, 2008Hi, This weekend's show was cancelled (rain--is your drought any better?), so it'll be a couple of weeks before I can try again for photos. Let's just say he jumps beautifully, with the knees and bascule of a show ring hunter. My hand is better, I'll have to wear the splint when I ride (forever....), but it doesn't hurt anymore--hooray. The 6 weeks off turned into 10, and Brett seemed none the worse for his vacation. He came back refreshed, and didn't forget a thing while he was on R&R. I'll send photos when I get good ones--he looks too good to send a bad shot. Judi January 8, 2008He is beautiful-and the smile is because he is simply a blast to ride. He's quite a character, tons of personality with both his stablemates (think irritating little brother), and his humans. Judi January 7, 2008Hi, He's about to start a 6 week break--something I believe in, and since I need hand surgery, all works out. I do think when an animal has worked his heart out for you, a few weeks of R&R are good for their bodies and minds. Enjoy the photos! Judi October 13, 2007 - Happy 1st Anniversary!
Brett jumped his first course today--trotted all 8 jumps, and
it's the first he found out one line could follow another. Typical
Joan, "Judi, lets try the diagonal, both jumps.....good....OK,
deep in the corner, nice trot.....OK, go down the outside line....very
nice...balance.....trot again......diagonal.....whoa.....canter
the corner....trot, bending line......very good, canter past the
gate......OK, pat him and walk. I had no idea we were ready for
this, and rather than tell me and have the typical adult rider
nerves....it just happened. Oh, did I mention this was during AM
schooling at a horse show!! And, Brett was fantastic--brave to
every single jump, even though he'd only seen two of them. Starting
to canter fences, trot full courses. He still amazes me-an incredible
horse. Attitude + personality + atheletic
+ beautiful-he has it
all! September 16, 2007Hello, I've kept
a diary of our first few months...so in a nutshell, here's what he has learned:
mom is in charge, stand to be mounted, stand quietly in cross ties, flyspray
does not kill redheads, showers are good, clippers don't hurt, mom is boss,
strangers are nice too, mom is boss, forward means forward, puddles
do not swallow horses, flymasks are nice, gnat ears are nice too,
trailers are fun, horseshows are fun (and I get to make new horse
friends!), and, I am happy to say, he's had plenty of opportunities
at his shows to learn that ribbons don't bite! He's also
learned to cross hollow sounding wooden bridges, to trail ride alone, to cross
water, geese are not scarey (and fun to chase when they land in his field),
deer are boring, etc etc etc. Elizabeth's Note: Brett was one of our 25 Special Horses. Joe Borg is his breeder.
July 31, 2007Hi all, I haven't written in a while and wanted to catch you up. Brett's great-he continues to offer challenges (someday I'll talk about the horse who made me a true horseman!), but they are all from the ground. Recently he decided he was afraid of his 'gnat hat,' which he's been wearing all summer. I 'sacked him out' with it until he could stand still, then we practiced putting it on 15 times, 15 minute thinking break in his stall, then 15 more reps. Today, we did 5 reps, and had no issues. That's who he is--once he's determined something is scarey, patience and repetition seem to be the solution. So, he'll be getting 5+ reps a day this week (every day), three days next week, and then we will see. Oh yeah--I have moved him to Joan's barn. He now lives in (out at night in the summer, out during the day come cool weather). We get more lessons in, he gets handled by more people (all of whom I trust), and when I have to deal with a fear issue, I'm not there alone. He's thriving in this environment, and I suspect the structure of barn life is good for him. He also simply loves his stall--and loves greeting everyone who walks by. What a social animal! We returned to the show ring last weekend, still the pleasure classes. This was a local show, sanctioned by our local horse show association. He got to be 5th in the go as you please class--amazing, because we trotted and pretty much everyone else cantered. His canter has come along beautifully (what a stride!), and Joan is confident he'll be one of those who just lopes down the lines with a loop in the reins. Not an energetic boy this one! He will never expend an extra calorie if he can avoid it! He is the once in a lifetime horse I dreamed of. Smart (very smart....which is the cause of some of our challenges), but sweet and willing. He does like to push the envelope from time to time, just to make sure the limits haven't changed--glad I've spend all these years training dogs and recognize that behavior! Am hoping to attach some photos from the show, but really want to get Clint out to take some conformation shots. Brett is maturing, and has filled out. He is a gorgeous animal--a pleasure to look at. His vet, his farrier, all comment on his beautiful conformation. Judi
March 24, 2007
Hi! It's been awhile, and I thought it time to send new photos and an update. Brett has had a full and fun winter. After his successful first show (you have photos and a note), we packed up for a 'camping trip' to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va. We were not entered, simply went to school. The horse center is huge, beautiful, with multiple indoor arenas. With the EHV-1 virus in Fla, many in the region had not gone to Florida, so the Lexington show (A rated) was packed. Brett was a trooper on his longest trailer ride since the move to VA.. It was cold and dark when we arrived, and Mr Brave walked right into the big, busy, well lit, loud barn and settled into his stall. Big drink, a roll, and he found his hay. After I got my stuff (or is it his stuff???) moved in, I saddled up and he had his first schooling session indoors. He was wonderful--perky at first, then alert but relaxed. We then went to another indoor arena, which required walking outside, at night, 15 degrees & windy, with lots of shadows. Brett was the calming influence on a friend's equally young and green horse. This arena was much bigger, and very busy with small children on fast ponies. He and I both kept it together, he found his long relaxed trot, remembered to listen to me, and was just wonderful. Off to bed (for him--we all assist each other at shows {no paid grooms}, so I stayed up to help my barnmates prepare to school, and put their horses up when finished). Next morning we schooled again, this time adding a canter--his first public canter! It was tense and stiff, but he was trying. Then, cool him off and drive him home. GOOD BOY! Since then we've not travelled except for lessons....so today, off to a mini show. Again, just the pleasure horse division--as Joan pointed out, our biggest concern with Brett is that we take advantage of his incredible attitude and push him too fast. So, we schooled over a fence (he was wonderful), but we are going to wait a while to show over fences. After all, he just jumped his first line this week (and was completely cool with it!). We did take his canter out to be seen--and he got a third place in the w-t-c class! A huge class too! But, even better....the rider in front of me was bucked off (bad buck-ouch) while we were cantering. They were literally right in front of us. Did Brett the wonderpony act up too? No, so we began to steer around, then I saw she was coming off so we quietly halted. Then, "Mr. Third HOrse Show", when asked by me, politely walked up to the loose horse and stood like a stone as I reached forwards, pulled the reins over the loose horse's head, and held it. The rider was fine and, after the commotion was over, the class went on. He acted as though this was just part of what he knew how to do. The third place really added to the special-ness of that class. I could go on for pages...but I won't! He is more than I could have dreamed for. His trail riding is coming along beautifully, his ground manners are nearly flawless, and best of all, our relationship is very solid. He trusts me, I'm thoughtful in what I ask, and we always get the job done--eventually, and not necessarily the way we planned! He is asked to stretch his little envelope every time I ride, and he does so willingly, if carefully. He has the most amazing attitude of any horse I've ever known. That he is sweet, beautiful, and very talented are just icing on a wonderful cake. Judi Elizabeth's Note: Brett was one of our 25 Special Horses. He had never been registered so he did not race. He was extremely green when he came to Bits & Bytes Farm having only done a few months race training at the track. Judi was the first to take him over a cross-country fence when she was "test" riding him. His attitude and willingness won her heart and it looks like "Brett" and Judi are a "Perfect Match" - the kind we hope and pray for with each horse we place. Thank you Judi for taking it slow and never scaring your young Thoroughbred. That is the "secret" of training these horses. Time and patience and never overface them. They will give you their heart and soul in return. Job well done! We look forward to many more success with this match!January 8, 2007
Hi, What a fabulous weekend! The slow, consistent, steady route is paying off. Brett and I went to our first horse show Sunday. It was a locally recognized show (points were accumulated) so Joan entered us under Brett's show name. Since casual dress was allowed, and I was there simply to school and let him get some show miles, I was not dressed for the party, wearing chaps and paddock boots. We entered three classes--an adult eq class which was held in the small indoor arena (we only entered the walk-trot class), and two pleasure horse classes, one walk trot, one walk, go as you please (trot for us). Those were in the big outdoor ring. Brett found the indoor ring scary, but got comfort from his 'new best friend' Smokey. When Smokey left, he learned that any horse in the ring could be his 'new best friend,' so he settled in better that I could ever have hoped for. He was good in his class--a little bobble when we reversed and there was no horse in front of him cause a spook and stop--but then he regained his confidence and went on well. I was SO proud of him.
We then went outside for the pleasure class. I'd hoped it would be small...but no such luck, 15 horses, many of them very, very fancy. Most of the riders were there to compete, and were appropriately dressed. Brett walked on a loose rein, and then, even in the company of 15, trotted softly and round on a loose rein. He sure felt pleasurable! We lined up, and I wish you could have seen my face when they announced, "Sixth place, Finders Reward." I was shocked, and so very happy (Ok, I cried). Last class-he and I both started off a little tense when most everyone cantered for 'go as you please' and we trotted, but we settled in and by the end of the class he was listening to me and relaxed as others whizzed by. What a great day! He is still learning to balance at the canter while carrying a human, so we won't take his canter out in public until he gets it. We want him to be confident before he has to perform! We are going to an indoor show at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va at the end of the month. We are not entering, just going for schooling opportunities and more mileage. I am so very proud of Brett, and I'm sure you are too. Judi Elizabeth's Training Note: Slow and steady and take your time with training. Brett and Judi show that it pays off - especially with a young horse. We are extremely proud of Finder's Reward aka "Brett" and we know he and Judi are a "Perfect Match". Keep up the good work!January 2, 2007Hi Elizabeth, Hope the new year finds you, Barry, all the horses and dogs doing well. Brett is making delightful progress. He remains a bit strong willed, but I'm stronger! He's incredibly smart, which I've decided is not always a good thing! We've recently been working on trail riding (alone....I know). He has an interesting aversion to stepping down off anything he perceives as a drop--even as little as 4 inches. I find a way around the drop, then we do figure 8s back up to it, moving closer each time, until he is stepping off the scary drop circling in both directions. Then we try it straight on several times, and move on. He refused to cross a dirt bridge over a creek...I got off, lead him back and forth several times, then remounted and asked him to go across. He refused...and I yelled at him. Funny, cause it's the first I've yelled. He took immediate notice and trotted across! Of course, I wanted a walk, so we did it a few more times (no yelling needed), until he relaxed and walked on. I'm keeping the yelling up my sleeve for when I need it, now that i've learned he's quite impressed by it! Weather permitting, he and I are going to a mini show on Saturday, entering the walk-trot classes. Clint is coming with camera, so hopefully I'll have photos to send on. Judi
December 4, 2006Hi, As you will see in the attached photos, we are doing well. He's quieted down, and is mostly trusting my leadership. When he resists, it's rather half-hearted, and he gives in quickly. Thursday, he learned to cross a wooden bridge--following Luke, leading Luke, then on his own. He did not feel he needed to do it alone...but quickly reconsidered after we spun, and he marched back and forth across it twice. Joan's been helping with clippers--we can now do his muzzle, and today graduated to bridle path. He does not like his ears handled--he's ok with me, but no one else. So, Joan's handling his ears, and, sometime this winter, we'll clip them. No hurry, and no twitch. Judi PS: included a photo with Joan (on the ground) since you'll be hearing her name a lot....
November 26, 2006Hi Elizabeth, It's been a couple of weeks, so wanted to send an update. Brett has turned his first corner and is wonderful! We've had a rocky two months (as you might have been able to tell) as he and I worked out the concept of basic obedience: No Brett, we are not done when you say, No Brett, we WILL walk past your pasture to go to the upper ring, No Brett, you will NOT walk over me to get out of your stall, yes Brett, you WILL get on the trailer, yes Brett, you CAN stand still to be mounted (walking off once I'm on is OK--backing up when one foot enters the stirrup is not...),yes Brett, cows are scary, and they might eat you. None the less, we will work through it, first at a distance, then gradually closer. No Brett, you may not follow every horse who rides through the property when we are working. Whew. Virtually every ride had an argument--even when I did my darndest to have it not be so. Have not gotten mad, have ridden them out, calmly and quietly, until he saw the world through my eyes. And, the sun is shining! He takes the trip to Joan's barn once a week (great footing, even when wet). He's quiet, relaxed, head down, opening his shoulder. He's even sweeter now that he has a leader (me!). I know our steps forward will be followed by a step backwards. He's tested me a couple of times since he caved, and quickly submits (usually with a sigh...). That said, I think this was our first big mountain, and we've made huge strides in establishing the solid foundation of willing obedience I so want. Yesterday, the cow/calf combo (Hamburger anyone?!) came trotting down the hill. Huge muscle groups on his left side (the escape side) contracted...but he trotted on. Of course, once he was that good, I let him work further away, then we came back, and he ignored them. It was the obedience when I could feel his muscles ready to bolt, but he stayed between my legs and my hands, that gave me the thrill. He's getting it--I'm in charge, and I CAN be trusted! Yipee! Judi Elizabeth's Training Tip: Patience is the secret to success with these horses. Brett never raced so he did not have the "work ethic" of an OTTB.
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