Read the Success Stories for these former Bits & Bytes Farm
horses.
The newest Success Stories have been moved to their own site: www.OTTBSuccessStories.com
* Horses with asterisk in front of their name were purchased as Prospect Horses directly from the track.
All photos on this Web site are copyright protected and may not be used without written permission of the photographer.
Most Always a Lady learns to jump with her mom Susan Llewallyn Goodman, DVM
I can't begin to tell you what a great time we all had yesterday at the Imtiaz Anees clinic. I have long avoided the "horse" scene other than foxhunting because I always assumed that too many people had the elite snobby attitude that so often goes along with the species!
Boy,was I wrong.
What a great group. We even blew off hunting the next day so we could ride in the ring.
- October 8, 2006
"Most Always a Lady is settling in and seems to be comfortable with her new home. We call her "Honeymoon" since her arrival precluded our leaving town and taking one! " - Susan Llewallyn Goodman, DVM March 2006
Farrier Wayne Allen and his assitant Jeremy have the patience and knowledge to work with Thoroughbreds. Jeremy also works with Chase New the farrier of Bits & Bytes Farm. A bad farrier can ruin good feet. Choose your farrier carefully.
Clickhere to see her Prospect Horse for Sale page.
Bits & Bytes Farm Success Stories |
||||||
Our horses > success stories > Most Always a LadyMost Always a Lady aka "Honeymoon"June 5, 2007This past weekend Bob and I camped at Hard Labor Creek State Park. It's my yearly opportunity to relive my childhood with bareback rides. But with several horses out with various issues we were down to only Mirage and Honeymoon.
Bob volunteered to ride Honeymoon and they got along great! He is so casual and laid back in the way he handles her that she relaxed and followed him around like a puppy! He just rode on the buckle the whole time and we ended up with her leading all the rides....crossing creeks and ditches like she'd done it all her life.I must say I was a bit jealous,especially when she would nicker at him when he walked away from her! Wish I could come to the Ed Dabney clinic but we will be out of town that weekend.I'll be keeping an eye out for more clinics with you. Hope your summer is starting well. See you soon, December 19, 2006I was clipping the hunt horses this afternoon and decided I would just go in Honeymoon's stall and let her hear the clippers. In the space of 30 minutes she was actually rubbing her face against the running clippers and letting me clip off all her whiskers and chin hair! You just never know! (I'm sure the apple treats that kept appearing just to the side of the clippers helped) Now she looks so good I'll just HAVE to take her (fox hunting) tomorrow instead of Porsche. Susan December 13, 2006I am starting a bad habit. Hunted Honeymoon again today...it's just so much easier than fighting the regular hunt horse...who is just a little too hot but jumps the moon! I think you'll be pleased at how fit Honeymoon is looking after all the hunting. If I don't see you before Christmas...I hope you guys have a great holiday. Susan December 7, 2206Honeymoon went hunting again. WONDERFUL! Even waited while I dismounted and opened a gate to go around a coop and then galloped calmly off to join the field. Things are looking good.I thought long and hard about taking the coop! But I keep trying to tell myself that a little patience now and I should be able to continue to build her trust in me that will pay off down the line. As tentative as she is jumping the little cross rails in the ring I would hate to have her get scared. I have YEARS to work up to this! (If it sounds like I am trying to convince myself you're right! It was so tempting!) Next month we start to hunt alot in Dooly county where there are no coops and she should be able to go first flight with no stops for gates. Actually ,I was so proud she waited patently for me and did not panic when the rest of the flight took off that I will consider that decision a good one. When will you guys join us on a hunt?
November 22 - Honeymoon's First HuntCouldn't help but send you the photo of Honeymoon (Most Always a Lady) after her first foxhunt. She was absolutely wonderful...obedient and respectful! A little nervous when a hound ran under her....she stopped in midstride with her right fore in midair, afraid she might step on him...but moved on unrattled when he emerged from the other side. The best part was she had a great time and enjoyed it. Susan November 17, 2006 - New shoes and training at Bits & Bytes FarmMost Always a Lady aka "Honeymoon" stopped by the farm so that our farrier, Chase New could shoe her. "Honeymoon's" mom took the chance to do some training with Elizabeth. We worked on trotting "Honeymoon" through poles on the ground set at different distances to get her trot nice and even. Then we did some gymnastics with poles on the ground to cross rail combinations and finished up jumping a small oxer gate. "Honeymoon" is a quick learner! Horses we have sold are always welcome to stop by and recieve training with Elizabeth and the "Freinds of Bits & Bytes Farm".
October 7, 2006 - Clinic with Imtiaz Anees at Bits & Bytes FarmElizabeth, I can't begin to tell you what a great time we all had yesterday at the Imtiaz Anees clinic. I have long avoided the "horse" scene other than foxhunting because I always assumed that too many people had the elite snobby attitude that so often goes along with the species! Boy,was I wrong. What a great group. We even blew off hunting the next day so we could ride in the ring (actually rode all 6 of my horses!).
I have a better idea of Honeymoon and my weaknesses and spend the day learning exercises from Evie to help me progress I too was VERY proud of her...and of Bob. He spent yesterday learning how to lunge with sliding draw reins. Thanks for the photos .....they are fantasti. I think we will have to enlarge and frame those. Susan
September 4, 2006
A great weekend with Honeymoon. The new shoes/pads have made a huge difference! Her enthusiasm for "go" is such a welcome change. My only regret is that it took me so long to realize she was uncomfortable. We even popped over a few low cross rails! The bell boots are working well...thanks for all the help! Susan June 25, 2006I know you are extremely busy! I'm just happy to share my progress with you...as you can understand and appreciate what it means. I'm beginning to think she may make a hunt horse after all. Despite her "quirks" about some things I am constantly amazed at how steady she is about other things. I am sure that can be traced to Joe and her good start. Frantic about having her ears touched but calm and well behaved about sliding the bridle up and over them. Obviously whatever spooked her about the ears came after Joe had taught her how to bridle. And once she decides something is ok....such as the feet....it doesn't seem to cause another moments concern. As Wayne said...in all her moments of fear she NEVER showed aggression or anger. He was happy that Jeremy was there to work on her feet as well. He thinks she needs to learn how to trust other people than just me....a good thought. Hope your summer is going well....and you take a moment to breathe now and then. Susan June 22, 2006It all started with a nice ride along the Chattahoochee at MacIntosh Park. What a surprise when back at the trailer she allowed me to pick up and clean all 4 hooves like it was no big deal! Then home to meet the farrier.....calm as could be. With the expertise of Wayne Allen and his assistant Jeremy she now has shoes! Patience is EVERYTHING! Susan May 31, 2006Thanks for the invitation. I am anxious to come by and visit as well
as show you Honeymoon and all the progress she's making ( or maybe I
should say I am making!)
This weekend is an air show we are flying in at Peachtree Dekalb Last week we went to Bear Creek to take a lesson with Kelly who is the trainer and first whipper in. We took Honeymoon and the draft mule Audible. Kelly is an avid TB fan and was very happy to help me in starting Honeymoon. When I talked to her beforehand I told her my goal this first day was to just get her in the ring and make it calm and easy for her. By the time we were through we had walked.... trotted..... and CANTERED both ways of the ring! WOW! And to cap it off...she yawned while we were waiting in the center for Bob and Audible to finish. I'm looking forward to going back each week. Kelly is very calm and patient but has a good eye to know just how far to push me without stressing Honeymoon. Who knows ,next week we may not do as well but each lesson is a learning experience. As she stood looking over at the foxhound kennel listening to some of the hounds I couldn't help but imagine that some day soon we would be following those hounds ! Next week I'll be sure we have a camera. Susan May 11, 2006Elizabeth, Honeymoon's papers came yesterday. Thanks so much for getting that done for me. The farrier came yesterday and was quiet impressed as we could pick up and trim both her fronts. The backs......well ...not quite yet although she is doing better when she is alone with me and it is peaceful. She got her trim during a driving rainstorm under the tin roof of the barn... a huge disturbance for even the older settled horses....and I was proud of her. No shoes yet...I may get her some boots now that I can handle her fronts. I won't put the farrier through that (or Honeymoon) until I feel like it will not be a battle. No sense rushing....hunt season is months off!!!!!! (ha ha ha) I really hope to find some spare time and get by for a lesson with you. Unfortunately....it's time to bale hay so I have a few weeks of intense work ahead of me. Oh well...keeps me from having to pay dues to a health club, right? Susan May 7, 2006Rode Honeymoon outside the round pen yesterday around the property on what I call the bluebird trail. It's a mowed grass trail that follows the 10 bluebird houses I have around the perimeter. She was great! I think she was more nervous about being close to my App mare, Britt,( alpha mare with an attitude) then the ride. Wayne comes Wednesday and I hope to be able to get front shoes on. One rear leg is now a breeze to pick up ( as are the fronts) and she is giving to the rope with the other. Only a matter of time and patience. Hope to see you soon, May 6, 2006 Had a great session today. Actually PICKED UP and HELD her left rear! Elizabeth's Note: Sometimes the littlest achievements give the greatest pleasure. These off-the-track Thoroughbreds thank us with their trust and confidence in many ways.April 26, 2006
|
"Honeymoon" and I ( and the farrier) all survived the first trimming yesterday. There were moments when I questioned if that would happen! She was terrified of Wayne when I first walked her towards him.ABSOLUTELY would not let him even close enough to try to pick up her feet. |
She would only allow me to pick up her feet but I was able to get them on a stand and learn some farrier work. As long as Wayne stayed a few feet away she was tolerant. I nipped and rasped (including my thumb! ouch!). No chance of shoes yet but I feel like we made some progress and the feet look great now. Maybe I have a new career ahead of me! (Actually I have a whole new appreciation of how hard that job is.)
So in summary: the bad news....I have a lot more work on my hands to get to a point she is rational with her feet. The good news....even in a short 1 week it's apparent she has gained lots of trust in me and will allow me to do things she might not others. Also...at no point in her moment of panic did she try to kick or hurt anyone...just a frantic attempt to get away from us.
|
Last night when I fed (which is when I do a lot of grooming and handling ) she let me pick up and clean her front feet. I left it at that and didn't push it and try the backs....maybe tomorrow! In the round pen things are going well. Tacked her up and even sat on her with no worries. She is gaining weight daily ( she's on the 15 acre pasture) and LOVES my Tb/Hann mare and my mule.They make little nickering noises and groom each other!
Thanks for the advice on the phone the other day.....it's great to hear a calm rational voice when I get frustrated!
I hope to send you some photos soon.Lots to do and no time.
Thanks,
Susan Llewallyn Goodman, DVM
Greetings Joe & Elizabeth;
Most Always a Lady is settling in and seems to be comfortable with her new home. We call her "Honeymoon" since her arrival precluded our leaving town and taking one!
She was an absolute gem getting on the trailer to come home and never acted up at all despite several long delays with construction on the highway. I started working her in the round pen this weekend. She is bonded like superglue to my other TB mare and is starting to look forward to handling since it usually involves carrots and apples!
Susan Llewallyn, DVM
© 2006 Copyright Bits & Bytes Farm /Egeland Wood & Zuber, Inc.