OTTB PROGRESS WEEK 3 // Jumping for the First Time!

[@Lilly-kt5ze]

I think Rocky would do well in Ireland seeing how calmly he went through the puddles 😂

[@spanglelime]

LOL I literally thought the opposite considering how much he doesn't like rain in his ears.

[@Lilly-kt5ze]

@@spanglelime oh yeah lol

[@marogers01]

Your voiceover voice is so soothing. You should film yourself reading the news for people like me whose blood pressure spikes when I try to watch the news.

[@syzygyfarm]

Wouldn't work. Her voice would bring world peace and we'd have no reason for the news anymore.

[@syzygyfarm]

He is SO cute over poles. Loads of potential. Can't wait to see him by the end of the season!

[@AnnikaL]

Pausing the video at 2:50 to say WE LOVE HAULS. Yes, pressing play now.

[@DS-ky9dl]

Don't second guess your horse choice! Rocky is super, just a different type. He could have lots of power from behind as he has a Huge Butt! Love the voice overs. Can't wait till the next video!

[@kathrynmoran6491]

its a shame you couldn't take him home, he's so cute!! You really explained what you where doing really well and have given me some ideas for things to help my horse. Thankyou!! see you next week

[@elainemacdonald6541]

He's so much more relaxed with the poles this week and there is visible improvement in his outline. You have very clear goals and focus, and you are allowing us to share your journey with Rocky. Thank you for taking us with you.

[@moonsmilk333]

brought back some nice memories of my first lease horse who was a bay ottb taking off after jumps and slipping in the corners! he only fell once and i didn't land under him, he turned out to be a good fella and ended up doing 1m jumpers quite successfully

[@raymondharrison2739]

Your doing a grand job with Rocky. Keep at him Holly and he’s going to move on a far better horse after his time spent with you. Looking forward to seeing you back home and updates on the fouls. Stay well and healthy 👍

[@katherinestead708]

what about a good old fashioned sugar cube? what a funny boy :) really enjoying your journey with Rocky

[@petahulbert3125]

The jumping has me laughing!!God bless him..he is a star!

[@lizedwards645]

I love him more every time I see him. He's trying so hard. It's hard to have your feet leave the earth! I can see why he just wants to get it over with and get away from the jump. But he's coming along so well!!

[@kimreece2808]

Most of my ottbs have been weird with treats for a while. Try tiny pieces of carrot and apple in his food to get him used to the taste. You could also try banana, watermelon, an oat/honey ball, or even just large alfalfa pellets for treats. They usually just don't understand treats 😞 when my mare discovered the magic of carrots and bananas she decided she did actually love me 😆

[@debbieadkins2803]

Hi Holly, I sure wish you were going home! I miss your horses at home! Take care of yourself and oh yes Rocky is looking good! Glad you have him👍👍❤️🤍💙🇺🇸☀️

[@adrianscott6327]

You certainly are getting there with Rocky can’t wait to see the next weeks vlog x

[@bethanyweston5242]

He’s really coming on already! Will be so interesting to see the difference 6 months down the line, I love that you’re showing all his wobbles and the whole learning process not just the highlights. I know a lot of others have said the same but I also have an OTTB and he didn’t understand treats either… he definitely does now two years on 🤣

[@miacolleran152]

Oh sweet Jesus. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. His first jump.. I'm sorry I just could not stop laughing.. and the commentary 👌Quality Content Holly, quality content

[@april5666]

You are doing brilliantly with Rocky, Holly. He is learning and developing very quickly. I can see so much improvement in strength, confidence and ability each week. You have so many great training tips and ideas; I love listening to your talking through your ideas and why and what you expect to happen. It is fabulous that you're able to work on Rocky 4+ times per week as I'm sure that is contributing to developing his muscle strength and confidence with you. I love him. I can just feel what a sweet honest boy he is through your videos. Thank you so much for bringing along on Rocky's journey.

[@katiemcintrye3579]

Glad to see my OTTB isn’t the only one who thinks not bending and SPEEED is the only way to canter 😅 he just turns into a steel wall of defiance 😂

[@kaylacardis9726]

Love seeing your process, and how you handle the diving and quickness, definitely nice to see you dealing with something I often have to deal with, with mine.

[@Chezlifecoaching]

You may have tried this but I use a lick for carrot stretches … I find it really helpful as the horse will hold his stretch for longer busy licking!!! He’s coming on beautifully your doing a fantastic job!

[@stineshorsejumping]

i love your voiceocers, it brings peace to my mind haha, lovely video as always!

[@petahulbert3125]

He is soo relaxed!!looking fab!!

[@emilydagnall5182]

I find the ottbs get interested in treats like carrots when you feed a paddock mate/ other horse, esp one they bond with well. They get interested and curious when someone else is interested.

[@stardust949]

Rocky is marvelous! He learns quickly---although the first time over the "fence" I did laugh.

[@katiewainer6070]

We all cried at episode 6 ;-; Dont worry gal, we're with you

[@caitlin3925]

My trainer told me if you introduce the treats in their feed eventually they learn to take them and enjoy it!

[@christinemartindale8715]

I think your a cracking little rider and so very kind funny and patient Holly Rocky is a lucky boy been under your care.tfs😎🐎😎

[@Katy.Lou.K]

He did really well for week 3!! Holly, you are doing a great job getting him to connect and go with the contact! Definitely setting this lovely boy up for a successful future. Can’t wait to see more! Love from California⛰🌲☀️💙

[@heatherradford1994]

He's looking so much better and yr so calming with him. He has definitely learnt a lot in these 3 weeks. Xx

[@lizgarland2241]

Great to see the progress step by step and the partnership and trust building. Fab 🍀💚🍀🇮🇪

[@juliaforsyth8332]

We had one like this. We grated carrots and apples into her feed, a little bit first and she will now practically kill for a carrot or apple!

[@metalkingtohorses]

back in the day when I was jumping my gelding , who is now retired he di opposite, he loved jumping and would jump so high over even a ground pole on the flat but mine did rush the jumps and really was powerful and hard to hold at an even pace

[@Dylan-ez5qx]

that last jump was very nice and lifted. hes got some great knees i can really see his potential as a jumper!

[@kathleenschaubhut4174]

Nice to see Rocky making progress.

[@chelseakitchin3582]

loved this video. love all your progress and training video with young horses. but glad im here weekly for this one cant wait to watch them every week and see the journey very inspiring for my personal journey as well. also love the voiceovers and the haul and the longer video everything hahah!!

[@sumik8]

Rocky is such a good looking boy & seems to be making progress really quickly.

[@dellahughson7423]

So much progress already!! Hes gorgeous.

[@spanglelime]

I read somewhere that OTTBs tend to favor one side because that's the only direction they're trained to run, which would explain why he's so stiff. I could be wrong though. You know far more than I do when it comes to working with and training horses. It's just fun to watch. I love how he's like a fussy toddler. It's the equivalent of only eating chicken nugs and french fries 😄 Banksy is over in England going, I will happily take those Stud Muffins off your hands if Rocky doesn't want them. They're my favorite!

[@suzannechance5876]

Do you think he is "spooky" due to inconsistent handling while he was being trained for the track? He is a very lucky fella that you have taken him in hand. He seems so willing, maybe not sure yet what to trust. Watching him learn to trust your direction is fascinating. When he puts his head down and ears forward I swear I can feel him think, "I have this"! Also interesting is to watch and compare with your homebreds. Very different psychologically aren't they?

[@janeminwell4395]

A great training vlog Holly...he is really swinging through his back now, good tail movement. That one rein stop is very effective. 👏👏

[@biggothepiggo]

He's coming along so well! So much progress has been made in a short time and I think he's really clever. I also think in a short time he will eat all the treats. He's probably just not used to him.

[@cakesandsprinklesbylauren8796]

Love this! Especially the voiceover!

[@leeangus1839]

Hey Holly Ya Rockey is definitely coming along Holly. Especially his jumping . Love you Holly

[@danielabackstrom]

Wow I love how you train him 😍

[@Patti-1962]

Rocky has improved so much. Thank you for taking us along with this process!

[@Emma17456]

Really good progress already! Just wanted to give a tip ❤️ It’s really important when bending a horse to always have contact on the outside rein! It seams counter intuitive, but if you only have contact on the inside rein, you are just bending the head, and not actually the whole horse. But besides that, what you are doing with him is really great!

[@Emma17456]

Just thought this was relevant, now that you are going to be doing dressage!

[@amyarnett8143]

Ahh, I wish I was a good enough rider to buy Rocky off you when you leave! He is so 😍

[@ctadventures7064]

Such a good rider Holly. Love watching you work with rocky.

[@ArtsyFarm]

If all else fails most horses will still stretch for grass or a handful of grain/ alfalfa. he's such a handsome boy and his size gives me hope my mare will look ok under English. She's massive both in height and with. lol

[@beckyjava5390]

Omg everyone is watching Squid game i honestly love it 2! Rocky is also doing so so well, looks like has a big future ahead🤗

[@merauble6658]

Great progress! Keep it up...I know you will! Loving the vids, thank you.

[@gracesutz9022]

My horse used to be unsure of treats (other than peppermints) as well but I started feeding them to him with his feed and then by hand and he started eating them! sometimes its the hand feeding that they are unsure of and they like to eat them out of a bucket or pan!

[@wearinglemon]

would love to see you trialling different treats to see if you can find one he likes

[@rubydawson2032]

Rocky is sooo cute ! 😍🥺

[@Sez166]

Marvelous can't wait for more x

[@renaecrowe8512]

Hey🙂 i have an ottb who doesn't like fruit or veg, or any fancy treats! She is obsessed with bread though. I use little pieces to stretch.

[@eiry25]

Well done Holly, really well ridden!

[@cristinavalenta1576]

Lovely, you're an incredible trainer

[@chelseabartlett5520]

I think its great you didn't buy the other horse! I like the look of your boy, and he's got such a kind eye, and willing disposition

[@petahulbert3125]

Completely agree!!

[@sallyannefrancis8647]

You are Sooo Brave !!

[@andystpierre6086]

I have a picky treat eater too. She will eat a bite or two but that’s about it. I wanted to teach her to smile while she’s on stall rest after her surgery… but she doesn’t even like stud muffins 😅😅😅 Rocky is super cute, don’t feel bad about the other one (even though he’s gorgeous!)!!!! You’re doing a fantastic job and I really enjoy the weekly updates :)

[@charlottebassow3471]

My friend’s OTTB wouldn’t eat treats either!! It was just a long slow process I think. Her mare eats everything now!

[@sethrivers5303]

One of my 4-H buddies had a normally-polite horse who'd practically mug you for a slice of cantaloupe/muskmelon. It could be worth offering some as a science experiment... if only to film the reaction! I'm not surprised at Stocky Rocky's build, given that his parents have five crosses of Northern Dancer between them. Ron Turcotte, who rode both colts, said that Northern Dancer "had a chest on him like Secretariat" even though Secretariat was famously burly at 16.2hh and Northern Dancer officially stood 15.2hh but was probably actually more like 15-15.1hh. Either way, a racing-fit TB who needs a 73" girth, especially before their actual third birthday, is a big horse no matter what the stick says. (As a side note, it's oddly appropriate that Rocky's ended up with an Irish owner. Northern Dancer's dazzling career at stud was hugely influenced by Vincent O'Brien's interest in his sons and through them, ND was a driving force in Ireland's rise to prominence in Thoroughbred racing and breeding.)

[@littlemissbugs3442]

Give that good boy a big hug and kiss 😘 he is a sweetheart…don’t forget to give him a treat lol

[@marionwigzell7334]

He’s a lovely boy and seems to be a quick learner. Just have to find him a treat he likes lol, perhaps he’s never had treats before (-: Marion

[@vareharri]

TBs in Canada often eat mints over any other treat ;)

[@The.Bees.Knees.]

Have you tried banana chips (no sugar added) as treats? It was the gateway treat for my “I hate everything” pony.

[@samanthagreco384]

the reason why he is like just cantering and galloping around is bc you have pressure on the reins they are trained to pull and go with someone pulls on the reins just let go and they will stop and be like omg where is the pressure and also where will he go it’s a enclosed arena

[@coraseats2643]

tell em sammy

[@GloryToGodAlmighty]

First Flying change buck and fence at once- you can call it "the rocky". Or the triple rocky it kind of rolls off the tongue.

[@leahraschke4628]

My TB is the same about treats! Hygain’s ‘Smoochies’ and stud muffins are the only treats I’ve had success with.

[@tashistrash8371]

Get some lucerne multicubes for treats! Should be able to get it from the stock supply. You can flake them into snack size.

[@EMK2017]

I don't know if this is true of OTTBs in Australia, but in America I find they usually like the red and white peppermints bc they feed them as treats on the track. Maybe worth a try!

[@Murrinholi1]

You're amazing, I've learned so much from you. I helped retrain a Highland RDA pony, we used clicker training with chopped up chaff/pony nuts and rabbit hay, just another texture "treat" we did carrot stretches with a handful of this - it's a really fascinating training technique, us equestrian's should always try new methods. We were able to teach aforementioned pony how to kick a yoga ball with a related word, while involving a disabled young adult, that did so much for this person, and indeed for the pony. Just an idea!

[@susan_brehm_art]

His progress is amazing!! For treats, try peppermint candy, although he may not like strong flavors since he clearly doesn’t like molasses lol. Can you get hay cubes there? I bet he would like those.

[@amandakinneard1225]

My horse, Neville, will take all of Rocky's treats! I break the stud muffins into 4 pieces to do carrot stretches.

[@taylahhaire1709]

coming from having multiple ottbs, rocky has most likely never actually had carrots or apples and hence why he has such a 'disliking' toward them. My last off the tracker took months to come around to them and it only happened once we actually kind of showed him how to eat them! Hope this helps xo

[@danielchristopherson9434]

when I heard you were crying ab squid games, I knew you were gonna say ep 6.. because I was balling my eyes out haha

[@TheEquiClubYouTube]

Looking good!

[@bronwynewers6244]

Grate apple into his feed. That’s what I did with mine. She loves them now. 😊

[@katieb19961D]

My mare is weird with treats too, totally hates molasses 🤦 luckily she likes carrots and mints!

[@emmeliegustavsson9566]

Loving the voice-overs

[@kippen64]

My behemoth didn't like liquorice but I left a few pieces of liquorice in his feed bin and now he loves it. My pony didn't like liquorice until he saw the behemoth eating some and now he loves it. Now cannot take liquorice out into the paddock because it can cause fights. Really enjoyed your ability to ride.

[@Gabihorse]

amazing compilation

[@lil-prttzan]

Living for the voice over!!

[@BayleaAlyssa]

Ahh Lucas! 🥰 I worked with him when he was in race training with Rod, he is such a sweet boy!

[@vicgrove6681]

Is this crash Cranach by any chance?

[@BayleaAlyssa]

@@vicgrove6681 Sure is, do you know him?

[@vicgrove6681]

My mares usually agist at Rods during spring. So I've followed his progress the past few years. He seemed a very promising horse in his younger years. 😊

[@BayleaAlyssa]

@@vicgrove6681 Oh lovely! Yes he seemed to do well but after a few spells he seemed to not love racing 😌

[@luizafonseca_]

Can't wait for the makeover! 😍

[@chelseabartlett5520]

You should use the balancer to make treats! Wet them down a bit, roll them into balls, and bake them. Maybe bind with some molasses or peanut butter

[@ruthprior665]

Have thoroughly enjoyed watching yours and Rocky's progress in just a short time. Have you ever considered 'Likit' treats? From what I can make out, they're like a solid lolly. And the horse licks it as a reward/treat, just as they would salt or mineral blocks. The other thing is 'Donkey Donuts' of which Meg gives to her ponies. Just a thought... Keep up the good work with Rocky and I shall look forward to seeing Week 4 of Rocky's progress... 🙂🐎🐴

[@mirandap7737]

Sadly donkey donuts don't ship to Australia but there is Hygain "smoochies"

[@poisonapple6138]

He's gonna be so fancy once you get him comfortable Have you tried peppermints with him? I could even get the mustangs who were super picky to warm up to peppermints

[@Thesa1019]

With young horses that do not want to bend I keep contact with the inside rein and have no contact with the outside one. I do not care when they are bending too much. I just wait for them to find their balance. I know that this is not classic dressage but it really helps. When they have understood that and are keeping the bend then I get a little contact on the outside rein. After a few days you just need a few minutes and then it works also with normal aids

[@joannemunro9668]

Well done Holly! How are your parents and ponies at home going?

[@simohad2544]

Where is the new head collar that you bought from please? 😍

[@melissaphelps7443]

My ex trotter never liked treats either and still isn’t food orientated, i’ve had him two years now and he now likes carrots and treats. I guess it’s something they’ve never experienced before in their previous lives.

[@princesssofiyagm]

Have you tried peppermints or butterscotch’s as treats. Those are usually a hit with my horses.

[@abbieg3945]

Hi holly how do you keep such quiet even hands/ elbows . This is something I struggle with . You ride beautifully

[@jennydembovsky57]

You should try polo mints. I’ve not yet met a horse that doesn’t like them. Good luck 👍🏻☺️💕💕

[@emma_and_a_horse]

thank you for the video :)

[@jessie333]

The knees 🤩😍

[@modrndaydorothy8685]

Cavalor fruities! My ottb lives for berry flavored anything but could take or leave the usual apple mint etc