Bits & Bytes Farm's Web site has been honored with
a Golden Web Award for having an outstanding Web site. Click here to
learn more about our Web design services.
Hi Elizabeth,
Well, you and Barry never are ones to pass up a training opportunity.
So on Friday when I was out and saw the inflatable slide going
up at the school next door, I knew I was in for an interesting
day.
Loverboy watched casually as the generator kicked on and
started sputtering. Then the slide started rising into the air
like a big blue bubble. That's when you came out and said "Let
me get my camera, let's go!"
So off we went, through the
gate and out into the field. Loverboy casually walked onto
the pavement, walking slightly sideways and eyeing the slide the
entire time.
We stopped and watched for a minute and then I
asked him if he wanted to take a closer look. He walked forward
without hesitation and stood right in front of the slide! Not
only did we check out the slide up close, he decided he wanted
to walk around back and check out the loud, smoke-spewing generator
as well.
I swear, this is the bravest, most confident, amazing
horse!!
Thank you for yet another opportunity to challenge
my horse and demonstrate to people that thoroughbreds are an
awesome breed who are not all nervous and spastic. They have so
much heart and courage and desire to please and achieve. O.K.,
sorry, I will get off my soapbox now.
As always, with so much gratitude for making this entire
journey possible and introducing me to the amazing world
of OTTB's,
Missy
March 12, 2008
Missy looks up but Stevie Loverboy is unconcerned
as a helicopter flys over head.
Hello Elizabeth,
Little did I know when I headed to the barn today for my usual
Wednesday morning ride that I would be presented with such a
wonderful training opportunity. I guess there was really no way
of knowing that a military helicopter was going to take up residence
at the school across the street and do "Top Gun" like
fly-bys of the barn.
Loverboy and I stepped out of the barn just
as the helicopter was flying directly overhead. We turned so
we could face it and watched it fly over, Loverboy seemed fairly
nonplussed. As we make our way up the driveway to the arena,
I notice it has now landed across the street. There is the steady
whir of the blades and we can see them rotating as we walk up
the drive. Well, Loverboy didn't take kindly at all to the "alien" taking
up residence across the street. He stopped dead in his tracks
and wouldn't move another foot...AWAY from the barn, that is.
He decided it was time to take cover. I decided calm and easy
was the approach, and started talking in a low voice.
I slowly
eased him up the hill and as we turned away from the helicopter
towards the arena, I noticed him start to calm down. I started
fussing over him and telling him brave he is...and I can swear
to you I saw him start to walk with a little more swagger! He
was very pleased with himself to say the least.
We continued our work in the arena as the chopper continued to
fly just above our heads. Loverboy jigged around at first, not
really knowing what to make of the constant commotion. By the time
the "alien" flew over us the 3rd time, he was settled
and stood quietly by the fence to watch it go by.
Yet another small accomplishment for my guy and I am oh-so-proud!
Take Care,
Missy
Elizabeth's Notes: It
was very impressive to watch helicopters just 100 feet over the
heads of our Thoroughbreds and not one was nervous or scared. Read
more on the March
12, 2008 Training Notes from Elizabeth page.
March 1, 2008 - First Hunter Pace for Stevie
Loverboy and mom!
Stevie Loverboy and Missy Miller attend
their first hunter pace. March 1, 2008
Hi Elizabeth and Barry,
I just had to write and thank you for inviting me to go on the
Hunter Pace yesterday. It was an absolutely amazing experience!
To not only go on my first hunter pace, but to go on Loverboy-MY
OWN HORSE-who has only been off the track 6 months.
Granted,
I am a tad biased, but I was completely blown away by how quickly
he settled in and started to enjoy himself. As the other horses
were still kind of jigging around and getting adjusted, here's
my 3-year-old plodding along like it's old hat for him. Did
I mention this was his very first field trip?!
I'm so glad we have
spent so much time going for trail rides at the barn, checking
out the different paths and obstacles, and learning to cross
the creek. It's so gratifying to see our hard work pay off
in such a tangible way.
Everything I do with this horse so far
exceeds my expectations that I'm always left wondering what's
next for us...I just can't wait to see what the next chapter
of our story holds fo r us!!!
Thank you for such a perfect day and for making all of this
possible!!!
Love,
Missy and Loverboy
February 2, 2008
Former Bargain Barn horse, Stevie Loverboy
and his mom Missy Miller.
December 18, 2007
Stevie Loverboy and his family wish everyone
a Merry Christmas! Casey, Missy Brady and Miss Sydney. December
18, 2007
Hi E.,
Thank you so much for the pictures of the boys and Loverboy.
They were so thrilled with the whole experience, the first time
to sit on "their" horse, getting their pictures taken,
and especially the idea of being put on the B&B website. After
I got done looking at the pictures and laughing at the kids incessantly
fixing their antlers and Sydney(the Doberman) adamantly insisting
on being in on the photo shoot, I found myself a little weepy.
This whole experience is so amazing, not only for me, but for
my kids as well. The barn has become as much a part of their life
as Legos and Sponge Bob Squarepants. Thank you yet again for
adding such a rich new dimension to all of our lives.
With Love,
Missy
Brady in front of the horses' Christmas tree and stockings.
Stevie Loverboy gives a ride to five year-old
Casey. December 18, 2007
Three year-old Brady decorated Miss Sydney
for Christmas with reindeer antlers.
December
6, 2007
Three year-old, recently gelded, Stevie Loverboy enjoyed
putting on his holiday antlers and showing off for the photographer.
We decked him out with antlers and candy canes -he could care
less. He even tried to eat the plastic candy cane!
Many of the horses we get off-the-track are quiet and laid back
right from the start. Stevie Loverboy was quiet and easy to handle
even as a colt.
Well, Elizabeth,
I don't even know where to begin in talking about
the great week my boy and I had. Let's see, we did our first canter,
enjoyed the cross-country jumps in the woods, and rounded out the
week with a hilarious holiday photo shoot where Loverboy attempted
to eat the props!
We have been taking our time with Loverboy because he came off
the track with an injury and then he was gelded a month and a half
later. I have been ecstatic with his progress so far and was patiently
awaiting the next step.
Of course, I should have known that Loverboy
would not disappoint, I just don't think it's in his nature. His
canter is beautiful and fluid and he came back down easily.
And then, when we were in the woods and you suggested we try
a jump or two... Wow! I had never even been over the jumps before
on an experienced horse! I figured, "What
the heck, we'll give it a shot." And there we went, right over every small
cross-country jump I asked him to go over!
So, that brings us to our festive Christmas pictures. I think
it is safe to say that Loverboy loves attention and knows how
to get it. Not only was he willing to wear silly antlers on
his head, but the minute you put them on, he struck a pose.
And, of course, the ensemble would not be complete without
a candy cane...which my orally obsessed 3-year old immediately
tried to eat.
What a spectacular week! Thank you for making
all these new holiday experiences possible and for so joyfully
sharing in them with me. May your Christmas be merry and bright!
All my Love,
Missy
November 19, 2007
Stevie Loverboy is learning to jump over small cross rails. November
19, 2007 Photo credits Dennis Eyrich
November 15, 2007
Hi Elizabeth,
I was bragging about Loverboy today(as I seem to do everyday) and
realized I haven't written since the big gelding event. I know
I see you everyday so you don't need updates, but I want the
whole world to know how great my horse is and what a great job
you and Barry do at the barn!
Missy rides her new GELDING Stevie Loverboy - October 28, 2007
It's hard to believe it's been almost 4 weeks since Loverboy was
gelded. It's amazing how quickly and beautifully he healed. Doc
Becky performed the procedure quickly and without incident and
he was up and back in his stall an hour later-wondering where his
dinner was no less! I have to admit, being a first-time horse owner,
the whole experience was a little daunting for me. But, as has
been the case since I've known you, you helped me with every little(and
big) thing. You packed my poor guy when he was swollen, you hosed
him, cleaned him, walked him, and nursed him in every way. Words
just don't do justice to express my gratitude to you(cue the tears).
Stevie Loverboy becomes a gelding. October 23, 2007
Thanks in large part to your outstanding nursing skills, Loverboy
and I were back to work in 5 days. He is progressing so beautifully
and impresses me more every day. I would like to brag that he's
even schooling some of the older horses on crossing the creek and
going in the woods. I feel that there's nothing my "Boy" can't
do. Every challenge I've given him so far, he has met willingly
and head-on: trotting poles, riding 2-point, going over obstacles
at angles, deer in the woods, riding at night, cross rails and
flowerboxes, doing grid work... no problem. And he's only been
off the track for 2 months! Of course, none of this would be possible
if you weren't working with us and helping us every step of the
way. Your knowledge is infinite and you are always there offering
guidance and support. I just want you to know I thank God every
day for this experience and this time in my life.
You are a Blessing!
Missy and Loverboy
September 22, 2007
Hi E,
I just finished looking at the pictures of my "Boy" and
me. I'm so excited and proud, I just had to write and tell you "thank
you" yet again for making this whole experience possible.
I absolutely cannot believe in my second time on him we were able
to take off the lunge line and I could trot him. Loverboy is such
an awesome horse, so willing and calm. It's hard to believe he's
stallion! I will continue to float on my cloud af happiness all
day, I'm sure. I just had to take a minute to thank you and express
my gratitude. What an amazing new chapter in my "Adventures
with Loverboy" book.
Missy
September 15, 2007
E, I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you thanks for all
your help this morning. Wow, I never knew a 2 minute ride on a
horse, getting led in circles on a lunge line could be so exhilarating!
But when it's your first ride on your first horse, that's exactly
how I felt. It didn't really hit me until I'd been on a good 30
seconds that "Oh my goodness, I'm not riding 'A horse', I'm
riding 'MY horse' !" And what a fantastic feeling that was.
Loverboy did amazingly well especially considering he's been on
stall rest and hasn't been riden in a month. Since we got the OK
to get on him, I have been anticipating the moment. I'm completely
satisfied with our baby steps to this point and look so forward
to each day and each new step we take. Thank you again for being
such a patient teacher.
With Gratitude,
Missy
September 5, 2007
Congratulations to Missy Miller on the purchase
of Stevie Loverboy. September 5, 2007
Hi E,
I don't even really begin to know where or how to thank you for
helping me fulfill my life-long dream of owning a horse. As a girl,
I lived in the world of Walter Farley and "The Black Stallion',
dreaming of one day having such a magnificent creature to call
my own. My 20's came and went, I moved into my 30's, got married,
had babies and pretty much abandoned my dreams to focus on a more
practical life of marriage and motherhood. Then Bits & Bytes
Farm entered my life and I discovered that same girlhood dream
was still alive and well and burning inside of me.
So here I am, almost 40, and I just spent the morning with my
own stallion. He's not black and he won't be a stallion for long,
but he's everything I have ever dreamed of and more. I think I
said once or twice this morning "I can't believe this is my horse!" and
it's so true. The joy of carrying a dream for so long, giving up
on it, and having it finally fulfilled in the most unexpected,
exciting, and rewarding way is just overwhelming. Sitting there
this morning and just watching Loverboy in the pasture, and knowing
he's mine, makes the wait and every struggle and obstacle along
the way worth it because I appreciate him that much more now.
I cannot thank you enough for realizing this dream for me and with
me. You are the "Fairy Godmother" of the thoroughbred
world, not just for your work with the horses themselves, but for
people like myself who thought that owning a horse was only a thing
of childhood folly. Through this process I have felt supported
and protected by you. I knew you were always looking out for me
and had my best interests at heart. You and Becky and everyone
else involved have my eternal gratitude.
I feel so blessed to have found Bits & Bytes Farm. The farm
and all the amazing owners and "Friends" have been so
supportive and encouraging. I thank each and every one of you.
"Loverboy" and I look forward to sharing every day of this adventure
with you.
With an Eternally Grateful Heart,
Missy Miller( and "Loverboy")
Stevie Loverboy lives up to his name and gives Elizabeth kisses.
September 5, 2007
Stevie Loverboy arrives at Bits & Bytes
Farm! September 4, 2007
Stevie Loverboy was a Bargain
Barn horse in August
of 2007.
Stevie Loverboy is
a three year-old 15.3 hand COLT. He should mature to well over
16 hands. He is currently on stall rest due to the fact that he
got cast in his stall and hurt his back end. He needs two more
weeks of stall rest then a month of hand walking then three months
of turn out. He has never raced, but was ready, when he got hurt.
He is a great mover with no vices. His legs are clean with no blemishes.
Both excersise riders say he is a blast to ride very kind and easy
going. The only reason "Loverboy" has
a chain on his lip is we were right by the track and did not want
him to jump around because he has been on stall rest. He stood
like a perfect gentleman just looking at the track. He is easy
to handle on the ground and very well mannered for a colt who hasn't
done anything in two weeks. He should grow to well over 16 hands.
The vet feels he will be 100% given a little time to rest.
Would you like a Web site for your business? That's how we make our
living!
Click here for more
information.