At just 14 years old, Kimber Houston is already making a name for herself in the world of Thoroughbred aftercare. Alongside her mom, Tanya, she runs Trotty By Nature—a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to retraining and rehoming Off-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) with passion, purpose, and a serious love for 90s and…
In this March recap from the OTTB Training Diaries, Niamh gets honest about a clinic experience with a big-name trainer that didn’t quite live up to the hype. But that wasn’t the only unexpected moment—this episode also dives into a revealing session with an animal communicator, a training ride with…
We’re back with Danielle Montgomery for Part 2 of our deep dive into Turning For Home, one of the most effective and scalable Thoroughbred aftercare programs in the country. In this episode, we focus on what makes their approach so successful—namely, their partner farm model, lifetime safety net, and emphasis…
In this powerful first installment of our two-part interview with Danielle Montgomery, we explore the groundbreaking work of Turning For Home, a Thoroughbred aftercare program launched by the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (PTHA) at Parx Racing. Founded in 2008 as a direct response to growing public concern over racehorse welfare,…
We’re back with another round of OTTB on Tap Evaluates, and this time, it’s all about the greys! In this teaser episode, we kick things off by revisiting our evaluations from Vol 4, sharing listener feedback, and revealing how our predictions stacked up against real-world results. Did we get it…
What do off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) and birds of prey have in common? More than you might think! In this episode of OTTB on Tap, Niamh sits down with Martin Whitley of the Recycled Racehorse Falconry Team, a one-of-a-kind program that retrains ex-racehorses for falconry work in the UK. With his…
February was full of big moments for Oscar—some great, some… a little dramatic. From tackling group lessons and finally settling on a saddle to his first canter and a confidence-boosting obstacle course challenge, his progress was anything but boring! In this episode, we’re sharing a sneak peek of our full…
We’re back with another round of OTTB on Tap Evaluates! In this sneak peek of Volume 4, we introduce three OTTBs, including two warhorses with impressive race records, and break down their pedigrees and post-track potential. Want to hear the full evaluation, including our deep dive into conformation and sporthorse…
We’re back with another round of OTTB on Tap Evaluates! In this sneak peek of Volume 4, we introduce three OTTBs, including two warhorses with impressive race records, and break down their pedigrees and post-track potential. Want to hear the full evaluation, including our deep dive into conformation and sporthorse…
Thinking about buying an OTTB? A pre-purchase exam (PPE) for an off-track Thoroughbred can feel overwhelming, but understanding how to interpret vet findings is key to making an informed decision. In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Ashley Taylor, we break down the PPE process, common misconceptions about OTTBs,…
What happens to Thoroughbred broodmares when their breeding careers end? Too often, these mares are overlooked in the aftercare conversation, but Mareworthy Charities is working to change that. Founded by Kyle Rothfus, Mareworthy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to giving retired OTTB broodmares the retirement, rehoming, and second careers…
What does it take to successfully transition an OTTB from the track to a second career? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashley Taylor, an equine sports medicine veterinarian, owner of Twin Ponds Farm and co-owner of Sports Medicine Associates of Chester County. With a passion for rehabilitation,…
n this episode of OTTB on Tap, we sit down with Ashley Steele Norris, founder of Sunbriar Equestrian, to explore her inspiring journey in the OTTB world. Ashley shares how her childhood surrounded by horses, her time working under legendary eventer Jane Sleeper, and her passion for Thoroughbreds shaped her…
In this episode of OTTB on Tap Evaluates, we dive into the pedigrees, conformation, and potential of three listener-submitted Thoroughbreds: Flowers Apriority, Cowboy Swagger, and Mr. Cellular. Join Niamh and Emily as they analyze each horse’s unique racing background, bloodlines, and suitability for sport horse careers. From standout sires like…
In this recurring series from OTTB on Tap, we dive into the first chapter of Go Green’s (aka Oscar) journey as an OTTB transitioning from the track to his second career. Co-host Emily interviews Niamh about Oscar’s December training highlights, milestones, and personality quirks. From groundwork basics to learning to…
Welcome to our second bonus video episode of the OTTB Training Diaries! In this video, we continue working with our Thoroughbred, Oscar (“Go Green”), focusing on steering and leg aids through a spiral exercise. We set up poles to create a 10-meter circle boundary and ask Niamh to guide Oscar…
Welcome to our first bonus video of the OTTB Training Diaries! In this video, we focus on our Thoroughbred, Oscar (“Go Green”), and show the very first steps in teaching him how to combine leg, seat, and hand into what we like to call a “mini half halt.” This is…
In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we reconnect with Chelsey O’Brien, a standout trainer from our RRP Trainer Chronicles series. Chelsey shares what she and her Thoroughbred, UBie, have been up to since their incredible success at the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover, and she gives us an…
In the second half of our conversation, Tom and Clare Mansmann of Pacific Farms in Hume, VA, share their expertise on advanced OTTB care and their innovative approach to rehoming Thoroughbreds. Topics include farrier and hoof care essentials such as managing expectations, X-rays, glue-on shoes, and hoof boots. They also…
In the first part of this two-episode feature, Tom and Clare Mansmann of Pacific Farms in Hume, VA, share their rich equestrian history and passion for retraining off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). From Young Riders to training with legendary equestrians like Jimmy Wofford, Karen O’Connor, and Jessica Ransehousen, Tom and Clare provide…
Join us for a festive and reflective episode of OTTB on Tap: "2024 Wrapped: OTTB Tales from Christmas Past and Present." This special episode is packed with untold stories from our adventures retraining and reselling OTTBs, alongside a look back at some of our favorite podcast moments from 2024. What…
This week on OTTB On Tap, we’re chatting with Julie Anna Prusak, an amateur rider from Texas, about her OTTB, Too Much Crown, or "Nemo" to his friends. Julie Anna earned her spot on the podcast by winning our Underdog Stories contest in the OTTB Market Facebook group, where she…
In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we kick things off by recapping our second installment of OTTB on Tap Evaluates! Hear the owners' reactions and insights after listening to our evaluations of Looking Ready, C Two, and Ruby Bleu. Then, we dive into the exciting news—Niamh has found her…
In this exciting second volume of OTTB on Tap Evaluates, Niamh and Emily review three listener-submitted OTTBs, diving deep into their Thoroughbred pedigrees, evaluating their conformation, and speculating on their suitability for equestrian disciplines like eventing, show jumping, and dressage. Whether you're curious about how specific Thoroughbred bloodlines translate into…