So Romeo
June 19, 2008
Today, after a LONG year away Rome’s and I have come home
to our horse family, Bits & Bytes. We couldn’t be happier!!!
For awhile now, he’s been really fussy with his head and
pretty hot while being ridden and we couldn’t figure out
why until the dentist came out to float his teeth and realized
he’s got extra ones growing in. The dentist thinks that he’s
got two supernumerary’s coming in. So, needless to say we’ll
be getting x-rays, along with some chiropractic from Dr. Cleveland
since he hasn’t been done in a year.
I’ve come to realize over the last three years that re-training
these guys takes a ton of patience and dedication. Someone will
undoubtedly think that you’re crazy for purchasing an OTTB
or for spending so much time to retrain one the right way. But
if you’re willing to learn and stick with the process the
reward of being a part of something that’s so important for
these horses can be greater than anything you’ve ever felt.
In the long run that’s what’s most important. Not competitions
or expensive saddles or the latest riding fashions…. Just
the time that you spend enjoying your horse and giving them a chance
that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
If you’re going through a rough spot, DON’T GIVE UP!
Just follow your heart, dig in and keep going. That’s what
I’ve learned so far. Romeo has taught me more than any well
seasoned school horse ever has. And he always gives me his whole
heart without any questions. He’s my superstar.
We are so glad to be home!!!
Love,
Niki & Romeo
February 5, 2008
Dear Barry & Elizabeth,
I hope all is well at the farm. Rome's and I had a tough
summer of abscesses in both of his front feet, so I gave him a
good bit of time off. We moved to Stevehaven Stables at the beginning
of January to train with Sunny Stephens & Mathieu Rein. We're
both getting a workout!!! I took some video of his second time
free jumping yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDs8lZqtb-w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlhjCfNcYY
We're planning on doing it once a week to get him used to all kinds
of different jumps. We're starting with the basics for now, but
it looks like he's going to make one heck of a jumper.
Stevehaven is awesome. Sunny, Mathieu and Crystal are great. They
have a really great program. I'm really enjoying myself there and
I know Romeo is too. He just has so much talent. The best
part of the barn is the grooming vaccuum. You know how he loves
to roll!!
I'll definitely send more pictures soon. I'm almost 100% positive that we'll
be taking him to the Atlanta Classic in the spring at Conyers, just
so he can get a look at everything.
I'll send
more pictures of our progress soon. You guys are more than welcome
to stop by Stevehaven anytime to visit us.
Love,
Niki & Romeo
October 7, 2006 - Clinic with Imtiaz Anees at
Bits & Bytes
Farm
OTTB - So Romeo learns dressage with his new mom- Niki Rawls. October 7, 2006
OTTB - So Romeo learns dressage with his new mom- Niki Rawls. October 7, 2006
So Romeo and Niki Rawls
September 4, 2006
Dear Elizabeth & Barry,
I can still remember the first email I sent you guys almost two years ago.
Things have changed so much since then. I've found the horse family and the
HORSE I always dreamed of!
So Romeo builds his topline back again.
Romeo and I are starting out our second chances
together and we are going to be unstoppable. He is the most handsome,
intelligent and kind horse I have ever met. Of course, I could tell all of
this from the first day we met. He was so skinny and his coat was so
bleached out and rough looking, but you could still see that presence that
everybody sees when they meet him for the first time. He put his head on my
shoulder and it was all over from there.
I'm so lucky that I got to him
first! He is truly my" perfect match". I can feel it every time I'm on him and
we're trotting down the rail. We have so much ahead of us and you and Barry
and everyone else at the barn are the best inspirations I could ever ask
for.
I love you guys.
Thank you for everything.
None of this would have been possible without you and all of
the challenges you take on for the sake of saving the horses.
You are my role models (and my favorite internet celebrities)!
Love,
Niki Rawls
SOLD! So Romeo wins the heart of Niki Rawls. August 14, 2006
So Romeo was a former Prospect Horse for Sale when we brought him into Bits & Bytes Farm. We had been waiting for him to become available for sale in the Fall of 2005 when he "disappered off-the-track" to his owner's Kentucky farm. He did not do well turned out all winter and when we "found" So Romeo again he had lost 300 or more pounds. He quickly put on the weight once arriving at Bits & Bytes Farm.
So Romeo arrives at Bits & Bytes Farm. June 6, 2006
So Romeo again he had lost 300 or more pounds since leaving the track. May 17, 2006
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