We had a great year!!
* Highlights * Anna took the ride on OTTB, Burntwood (Burt). They achieved together TIP prelim jumper champion at a few local shows, competed in Dressage pony club rally at USET and Show jumping pony club rally at HPNJ. Had a 5th place finish in the $1000 Hunter Derby at Essex Fox Hounds Show and competed at the Colonial Classic at Devon Showgrounds. Anna also achieved her D3 Hunt Seat Equitation and C1 Horse Management USPC ratings. Aiden and Talulla met their goals of competing in the prelim jumpers, placing in the top 3 at several shows. They competed in Dressage rally at USET and Show jumping Rally at HPNJ and competed at the Colonial Classic at Devon. Aiden also achieved his D3 eventing jumping rating this year! PJ and Masterio had a great first show season! Finishing in the top 3 at several TIP prelim jumper classes and finished 7th in the Amwell Valley Hounds $1000 Hunter Derby! Hilary and Belly Dancer (Lenny) had fun competing in some local TIP jumper classes. She enjoyed competing Burntwood at the USET on an adult dressage rally team for pony club! Hilary also piloted Enkidu successfully in some dressage shows and (baby) jumper shows, in his first year off the track. The future is bright for this horse and we are looking forward to what comes next for him. We are looking forward to setting new goals for ourselves and our horses, getting to compete more, learning and having fun in 2023! Thank you to everyone that supports us, helps us and comes along for the ride!
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How do we feed our OTTB’s?
Creating a feeding program that worked for our OTTB’s took time and some trial and error. Once we figured out what was working, we made sure each individual was getting what they needed and now the horses look and feel great from the inside out! We mix our own feed for all the animals we have on the farm. We buy in bulk ground corn and ground soybean meal from a local farmer. We mix a 3 to 1 mixture of corn to soy to produce a 16% protein feed. We buy large square bales of 2nd cutting hay for all the animals and the horses get as much as they will eat. Grazing on grass is ideal and we do that as much in the height of the season. Rotating pastures and strip grazing the bigger fields to make sure we have grass all spring, summer and into the fall is essential to keeping the grass and soil as healthy as possible. All four of our thoroughbreds get fed twice per day the following: 1-1.5 pounds of Stablefeed’s Sainfoin pellets (soaked first) 2- 2.5 pounds of ground corn/soybean meal mix 16% protein 1 oz of Purina’s 12:12 Free Balance Horse Mineral Enki - 3 biscuits of Stablefeed’s Carrot/Chia supplement, Manna Pro ShoFlex & ShoHoof Lenny - 3 biscuits of Stablefeed’s Papaya/Chia supplement and Manna Pro ShoFlex Burt- 3 biscuits of Stablefeed’s Papaya/Chia supplement and Manna Pro ShoFlex Check out these benefits of feeding Stablefeed’s Sainfoin pellets: This information and more can be found at www.stablefeed.com Non-gas producing to support horses prone to gas colic Bypass protein for improved protein utilization High in condensed tannins to naturally inhibit parasites High in Omega-3’s for natural anti-inflammatory support Longer chewing time to support salivation, production of digestive enzymes and increased water consumption. If you have questions or would like to hear more, let me know!
Enkidu ran in his last race one year ago today. We took him home a week later.
When I think about where he was this time last year, I’m reminded at how far he has come in the 9 months of training I’ve put into him. I am proud to say I have put every post track ride on this horse.
Anna hopped on Lenny the other night for the first time. I’ve been working with him since June - focusing on relaxation and rhythm within his gaits and in transitions. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on connection and straightness through the outside rein. He’s a lovely horse - he’s eager to please, super smart and has a great work ethic.
Lenny (JC name Belly Dancer) last raced August 2020 and we took him home from TRRAC - Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers in September of that same year. With 90 starts, this guy knows how to work but he was uncomfortable and wouldn’t gain weight - no matter what we tried. After having success with putting Burntwood (Burt) on Sanfoin pellets from StableFeed to help ease his hind gut ulcers and put weight on (it also helps Burt’s sensitive skin from breaking out in the summer… bonus benefit), I put Lenny on the same feeding regimen. We started noticing a difference in his demeanor on the ground and under saddle and within a month he was noticeably starting to gain weight. He’s been steadily gaining weight and muscle mass since. (I’ll post a side by side picture of before and after) I’m looking forward to getting this guy out more and doing more things! And maybe now Anna can help in riding him some during the week
We had a great day at the Colonial Classic yesterday. Aiden and Talulla competed in the Itty bitty jumpers in a class of 42 others while Anna and Burt competed in the prelim jumpers in a class of 36.
Anna conquered her nerves jumping around the big Dixon Oval ring and did an awesome job. She ended the day on a high note nailing her speed round! (Side note: Burt has only been off the track since July 2019 and was not properly started off the track until we got him In October 2020. Our 12 year old (who has only been riding him for 5 months) just competed him in a big show in a big ring jumping 2’6/2’9. While there’s always room for improvement, as far as I’m concerned, they won it all yesterday. ) Aiden and Talulla had 3 great rounds making some super turns and only missing the top ten in their speed class by half a second! Big thanks to Jennifer Cassidy for coaching the kids and navigating all the courses and last minute ring changes! They’ve made big improvements this past year, thanks to you! The best part of the day for me was watching my kids return from their rides being so thankful and appreciative of their horses. Making sure their horses were cooled out properly, braids out, hosed off, watered and fed and telling them they are the best horses in the whole world. |
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Hilary MurphyArchives
January 2023
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