1. Was a OTTB your first horse. No, my first horse was a Palamino
Quarter, then Saddlebreds after that.

2. Do you have a trainer/instructor currently working with you and
your horse or just your horse. No

3. do you do selfcare/horse in backyard or do you full care somewhere
else. He's Boarded

4. what was your previous experience with horses before getting a
OTTB. I am a riding instructor and have worked with some big
facilities so I've come accross allot of differnt horses. With the
exception of 2 years after I moved to Arizona I've always had a
horse. I've riden hunter/Dressage/western pleasure and have always
kept up on continued learning.

5. where did you get your OTTB from(rescue org.,track, bought from
independent seller). Fresh off the track w/ no retraining? I bought
Tyre from an Independent Seller, but he had no apparent retraining.

6. what is the most common issue/s that is specific to exracehorses
you find(physical or mental)? How did you solve these problems(book,
lesson, trial and error, group, etc) if you did solve the issue. My
biggest problem when I purchased Tyre was he wanted to gallop off at
the slightest provaction. Just trying to teach him leg aids and
halts were a chore. He was dangerous in his desires and when he
recieved to much stimulous from Aids or hands he would get himself
worked up mentally. I'm not sure if this is common to OTTB's but I
have a feeling it is. I worked repetition with him allot of
repetion. I also did allot of ground work so I could manipulate and
move him with my hands. That seemed to help him get used to my legs
on him. I'd move him over at his shoulders, hips, neck and back
him. Also once he got a good back on him in the saddle things went
better. I could get his mind engaged by backing. Thats still a tool
I use today if he's having a off day and not listening is I'll put
him in a position, back him get him listening then move him out. Oh,
I also taught him suppleness so he's used to a me grabbing up the
reins to turn him quickly. I never wanted him to take off on me
again and especially on the arizona trail it could be potentially
dangerous. I did that with both on the ground work and in the saddle
so he wouldn't panic when I crank his head around to turn him tight.
That has saved both of our butts when he's spooked going over rocks
and such things. My whole goal from the start was get him safe, get
a good stop, and get a good turning rein.

7. before getting a ottb, did people try to discourage you from
getting one. If so what was there reasons. No

8. would you get another OTTB, knowing what you know now? Yes, but
I'd make certain that I had the time to fix the problems or send the
horse out. I made that mistake with Tyre to an extent. My son was 1
years old when I got him so I was always rushing to keep on a
schedule of sorts. When I bought Trye I realized that I'd have a
project just not how big a project it was.

9. what do you do with your OTTB. As far as riding or on ground. And
if you are currently showing what level are you at. I'm not showing
right now. Tyre and I ride for what you could call pleasure but he
gets allot of constant brush-ups on training. He needs pretty much
equal Arena to trail time or he can pent up out on the trail.

10. Have you been injured by your OTTB? No, but I came close after I
got him. He'd bolt off or rear/buck at bad times. He almost sent me
over a fence as he rushed into it and did a nice slidding stop. That
was the closest I came to truly getting severly injured.

This survey is a good idea. :)

Cyndi and Tyre