OTTB PROGRESS WEEK 1 // Vet Check and First Ride off the Track

[@rebekahnewman3876]

Andrew’s teasing could never replace Dad’s… but there is something very comforting about it all the same! 🤣

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I agree 😂

[@jessicavanrijbroek8283]

What a good boy he is. And his outline and stretching is actually better once you were on him, maybe he finds the hand contact much more familiar than the Vienna reins and that lets him relax a bit more?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I explain this a bit in my next video (will be out Sunday). But he isn’t familiar with contact at all. So he’s relaxed when I’m riding as I had no contact on his mouth almost at all. But more confused when lunging with contact on the bit. But it’s something he needs to learn and he’s getting there slowly but surely ☺️

[@biggothepiggo]

He's an unlikely combo of adorable and quite fancy. I love him and I think he's going to be amazing.

[@hattie2525]

Love how you mounted him. No fussing and faffing just calm and confidently getting on with it and allowing him to move his feet, a true pro. Really looking forward to watching his progress.

[@paigescott1693]

There’s so much to learn from Holly, she is so nurturing and positive with her horses. The results of her methods speak for themselves, all of her horses are just lovely and it is clear how much they adore her 💕

[@jaylaberesford9326]

The reasons he would have trouble relaxing his head with pressure would be because with the race horses we ride them fairly sod in the mouth but when we do apply more contact it’s in fast work so they learn when there’s more contact on the bit that means fast so there’s some reasons 😊😊

[@pipr5070]

Congratulations on Rocky. He’s such a genuine horse and has really connected to you.

[@kippen64]

He's gorgeous!!! He's a chonky boi. Edited to add that I am jealous of the fact that he walked straight onto the float. My claustrophobic behemoth not only needs to be trucked, but also needs one and a half horse spaces.

[@helensmart8521]

"Chonky boi" was my thought as well :D

[@Paige0557]

I cannot believe he just marched on up into that float on the first go. Such a good boy

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

This actually wasn’t his first go, I did a bit of practicing beforehand, but he got it almost straight away! ❤️

[@gem1718]

Rocky has the sweetest face! what a lovely boy, he is doing so well already!

[@Shauna6270]

Anyone else getting khal and Dali smushed together vibes when they look at Rocky ? Well that’s what he looks like to me 😂😂 and defo lost some weight the tummy looks like it’s tightening up 💪🏼💪🏼

[@april5666]

What a sweet, sweet boy, Rocky is. He is obviously very people friendly: so cute him nuzzling you at the clinic and so nice to see he takes everything in his stride :) Once you get the basics set up he is going to be super project horse for you. So nice to see you at Andrew and Diva's place again and looking forward to seeing your future outings with them. He is a little short and stocky for a TB, isn't he. I went and looked at some of Northern Dancer clips (way back in his pedigree -- a Cdn horse that won 2 out of 3 Triple Crown -- I guess that would be a Double Crown -- lol) and he looked a lot more like a quarter horse to me. Maybe have a look. I think it'll give him a good strong engine for jumping eventually. Maybe you could try free jumping him after he gets his sore feet shod? Looking forward to many more Rocky videos, Holly. Thank you for taking us along.

[@amelieg739]

He definitely looks more like a QH

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I hope that powerhouse 🍑 means he might have a good jump! 😂 thank you ☺️

[@katieroffe3244]

When you said he’s so cleaver he’s like I knnnnnooooow 😁😁😁😁

[@inkwhiskers9948]

Haha he really does have a huge caboose!! Like a big Robert Downey Jr. Love Holly's videos, looking forward to more.

[@DS-ky9dl]

What a sweet boy. Glad to hear that you are pleased. I think you'll have fun with him!

[@juliabartel9962]

What a really good boy he is. Always calm and no rushing at all, only the barrel did attack him out of nowhere 😄 You really get yourself a very beautiful and charming horse and I think he handle everything so fine especially for horse of a year off and not much experience at all. I’m very excited for seeing you two doing more stuff, maybe he likes the cross country club, i could imagine he would like that, being around, seeing new things, some jumps and bridges, I think he is a very chilled guy and he suits you very well. Fingers crossed for building up muscles and learning more about contact and stuff and becoming a awfully good boi in the future 💚

[@juliaforsyth8332]

What a lovely boy! I'm another one who thought he did better without the Vienna reins. It seemed to me that they worried him a lot and prevented him from naturally lowering his neck a bit. What a lovely bum he has!

[@JenniferJCouch]

A handsome and kind lad Rocky is! A nice start! !looking forward to more. Stay safe. 💙🐎😎

[@janl8683]

He is gorgeous, such a sweet face. Cannot wait to see your next vlog with him xxx

[@Bianka_Taylor]

I am late to the video but first ride off the track was wonderful! I can’t wait to ride my ottb for the first time off the track.

[@law7897]

Thanks Holly. Rocky is a superstar. I get Dali vibes off him xx

[@izzyb1428]

It must be so nice to be able to do the vet work yourself 😂😂 sometimes I wish I could just X-ray my mare myself. Would save me so much money haha

[@according2her]

Oh he is so sweet, melts my heart

[@ruthprior665]

You're doing great work with Rocky and for such a short space of time. I think he's got what it takes to become an eventer/show jumper. At 2 mins 42 he actually did the beginnings of a jump. Not sure if you felt it when riding him, but it was definitely more of a jump than a trot. Keep up the great work Holly. Love watching your videos 🙂🐎🐴

[@larix6444]

What a good boy Rocky! He is in the best hands!!! I'm really looking forward to seeing your journey together. Good luck xxx

[@lilycarter2751]

Wow! what a star for his first ride!!

[@kathrynsteelstarbuck6297]

My previous mare that I had on full home lease for 3 years was also named Diva and I recently bought myself a 4 year old OTTB off the track, his name is Ace. Rocky looks almost exactly the same as Ace and seems to also have the similar gentle nature! Enjoy the next few months with him! All the best from South Africa.

[@ItsNatashaFFS]

He is so sweet, I am excited to see the journey with him!

[@kateflanders7611]

A lovely start with Rocky. I applaud your approach that slow and steady wins the race.

[@EleanorNeville618]

Nothing wrong with shoes if you need them. Love Rocky and so excited tag along on your journey!

[@katherinestead708]

Rocky is awesome, he's such a good boy, you'll have so much fun with him. It'll be hard not to bring him home with you!

[@merauble6658]

Thank you for the video, you'll do wonders for each other. He's SO handsome too! I worked in mixed practice for over 10 years but have never seen a power float in action, cheers for that!

[@christinafragis7224]

Can't wait for the next video! Btw who ever buys Rocky after you have worked with him Holly will be a very lucky person.

[@barbiewarner530]

the bigger the better i say just like a rocking horse.u enjoy him.hugs

[@Mookielovescreatures]

He’s ADORABLE 🥰 I think he is smitten with you and wants to go over to Ireland 🇮🇪

[@jessicaruhl7314]

Rocky is just the sweetest! So excited for you and your journey with him. Can’t wait to see all the fun you and Andrew get up to with the horses. Six months will fly bye!!

[@jadahansen3902]

You’ve picked out a super one, Holly! Excited to see where you take him :)

[@jessicabender4479]

I think we all know that Andrew is the real star of the channel, missed seeing him when you were home but missed your dad when you were in Austrailia.

[@beverleyarscott8589]

I used to ride off the track mares,that were used for breeding. One hated to see her shadow on the grass and would shy and stop and face the shadow Of course her shadow then changed so that was scary too!

[@vogelvrouw]

He has such a kind face, hes doing so well i love his attitude

[@GloryToGodAlmighty]

It's good to see you're keeping him! ;) Can't wait to see how he responds to more training.

[@vikkineish5790]

What a good boy Rocky is. He was more long and low when ridden.

[@petahulbert3125]

Wow..he was soo good for his first ride..omg!

[@rebecca11391]

He’s so cute !! Doing tbs is super fun wish I could do it full time. Once in awhile they have a little bit of funkiness but usually they’re super easy. I find them a lot less spooky and silly than warmbloods lol and when they are it’s usually easier to survive 😂. If you’re dying to jump I really feel like there’s never any harm in trotting little cross rails!

[@jennydembovsky57]

He is such a super star 👍🏻. I think you’re going to have loads of fun with him 👍🏻☺️. I’m looking forward to seeing his progress. ☺️☺️

[@barbarianvee]

He seems so sweet! I love his little snort while you were riding, nice bit of relaxation... (And I'm so jealous of how easy it is to do a horse's teeth--my bunny has to be fully sedated and at the vet for a full morning-afternoon every 3-4 weeks to get her disaster teeth filed down. She hates it, we hate it. I'm sure little Rocky is happy to have his points and yucky old food gone, though!)

[@julen2380]

Lovely to tag along for your journey. Rocky is adorable and really seems like a tb version of Khal and Dal mixed into one. Speaking of Australian versions of Irish originals - I forgot how much like your Dad Andrew is or seems to be judging from the vlogs. Lol.

[@xiomaradiaz5292]

Idk but it really makes me giddy when I read over the growing list of horses you now call your own 🥰

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Stop I know 😂 it’s getting too long!

[@Lilly-kt5ze]

Sooo excited to see how Rocky’s getting on!

[@debbieadkins2803]

He is a very good looking horse, I am glad you got him, by the time you go back home he will be ready for show jumping!

[@jmleeinla]

Oh Holly he’s lovely!! I’m so glad you found such a special horse. He’s so cool, calm and collected! And so loving. You got a good one there😄. I’m going to love watching him grow with you in all you have planned for him. 🐎

[@martaborkowska8168]

He's such a sweetheart ❤️ I would totally keep him!

[@EllaEquestrian]

He’s like a mini Dali! Even at 16.1! He is awesome holly, can’t wait to see your journey together :)

[@Zip_Eventing]

Rocky is so sweet, he has a good amount of weight on him too for a thoroughbred. You two will be the perfect match😉😊

[@elainecole6896]

He's such a lovely horse, you have great taste!! 🙂💕

[@rachelsummerfield]

Rocky is so lovely Holly! he reminds me of my own boy! I don't think you will have any trouble re-homing/ selling him when you head back to Ireland- that's IF you don't fall inlove with him haha!

[@claires2192]

i’m from the US and i have the same kind of Bockmann 2 horse trailer! love it!

[@ColouredPony11]

He has the kindest face ❤️

[@Katy.Lou.K]

So excited to see this video!!! I love Rocky!! Can’t wait to see more progress! Love from California⛰🌲☀️💙

[@a.b-5043]

Appreciating the cm part of measuring him haha.

[@Sez166]

Gorgeous trot. Your so full of wisdom, can't wait for more.

[@lizedwards645]

He's so sweet. I think you should keep him!

[@leeangus1839]

Hey Holly. He was so good . on his first ride. Secents his raceing days too. And can't wait for more up dates on Rockey. Love you Holly

[@TarynAnnTibble]

That’s so interesting that you do the teeth too. Here in South Africa a vet is a vet, even an equine vet, and an equine dentist is totally separate. Admittedly it makes more sense to do both, but I think with our massive thoroughbred studs, a 2in1 may struggle to keep up.

[@annasmart8381]

Looking great, we’ll done !

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

In the US we have people who do teeth but we also have vets that do it and also vets who specialize in it. I would never use a non vet personally. I want someone who is highly trained

[@paigedempster2375]

In Australia we have equine dentist as well as vets too!

[@sophiadesai8357]

I’m also from SA & I was thinking about exactly that

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

In Ireland and Australia there are also equine dentists who aren’t vets. But they can’t carry drugs such as sedation and can’t do more invasive procedures such as extractions.

[@AnnikaL]

Yaay Andy! Would be fun to hear what he and diva has been up to.

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

visit his Instagram you don't need an account to look

[@AnnikaL]

@@NoThankUBeQuiet oh i know, but it would be fun to have a video done on it.

[@selint.8068]

Nice video, love to see more of you two 👍😇

[@susan_brehm_art]

Rocky is so delightful! 😍😍😍😍

[@amandakinneard1225]

An absolute legend!

[@danielabackstrom]

Oh I love Rocky already 🥺

[@andystpierre6086]

He’s very lovely and I can’t wait to see where your journey goes!

[@clweventing3020]

awww look at his little leggies at the trot🥺🥺🥺

[@HannahJ8558]

He looks like a TB now, instead of a New Forest pony, haha. He's so adorable.

[@buttercupmsp5289]

He is so like width towards other thoroughbreds but that might just be me x he’s like compact x

[@alisonwilks302]

Yay !! Fun times ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

[@julianneleckie1327]

Such a beautiful boy!

[@TheEquiClubYouTube]

Great vlog!

[@romyc5445]

such a good boy!

[@Patti-1962]

He's just charming, but still a thoroughbred (they see "boogie men" everywhere it seems😲.) My last horse was a home grown thoroughbred, and she could be quite spooky, especially when it was windy. And, she had some sore feet issues as well. But, she was my "heart"❤️ horse and I miss her!!

[@jmleeinla]

I had a heart horse as well and I think about her every day. I still love her so deeply. And it’s been 40 years.

[@Patti-1962]

@@jmleeinla That's wonderful!❤️

[@Vicksen80]

He is sooo handsome.

[@abifinnis6608]

Holly i think you should transport Rocky back to Ireland when you come home 🏡

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Even if I wanted to, I can’t afford it!

[@abifinnis6608]

@@HollyLenahanSJ you should set up a just give page, or we could have a whip round like a syndicate perhaps.😁

[@debrabish1494]

Totally agree with many Tbs -they need front shoes-how did their feet get so thin walled?

[@debrabish1494]

Rocky is wonderful! enjoy!!!!!

[@naunettemartin7450]

Holly I like the way ride your horse and I like the way you work your horse and you have nice horse and and I want to thank you holly I'm doing so good with my horse on ride ing her thank you Nannette

[@maggirowe1442]

hes lovely, when you go back to Ireland will you be selling him or bringing him back with you or are you staying in new Zealand for everv ??!!

[@judythomas2345]

She’s in Australia

[@maggirowe1442]

@@judythomas2345 oh yeah meant austrailia

[@brittanymckissack5879]

He is just so beautiful!! You should free lease him instead of selling him!! What if you come back again!! What will you do then?! I would absolutely adore the opportunity if it ever arises. I’m on the other side of Melbourne near Bangholme where my 2yo Clydie cross is agisted!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I would be too nervous to lease a horse half way around the world in case something happened.

[@required7928]

How did you learn him “whooow” and that he stops? My youngster just wont get it 😅

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

On the lunge I keep him on a small circle and after I say woah, I step in front of his movement and put contact on the lunge rope. Eventually they learn that woah = stop and you don’t need the contact on the rope

[@christinezapasa5058]

What a lovely boy he is. Maybe you could try some Scoot boots on him. They have a high rating and last longer than shoes.

[@nataliedavies69]

I literally just heard back from Scoot today that they won’t work for my OTTB; apparently his hoof walls are too upright and his heels are too high. But they do look awesome. Maybe they work for some TBs?

[@pxxxxpsnck1419]

This video makes me think how handy it must be to be a vet and own a horse 😂 any question you can answer!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

It’s definitely saved a lot of vet bills so far 😂

[@foxworthypepper1667]

First!

[@lizgarland2241]

Check out Scoot boots 💜

[@samanthasimmons5699]

I got a vet question for you holly! Is it true arabs teeth have to be done differently then any other horses? This has been a common thing people around me have said!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I have never heard that, however I’ve never seen an Arab in Ireland so perhaps it’s not something I’ve been exposed to! ☺️

[@samanthasimmons5699]

@@HollyLenahanSJ well if you ever find yourself meeting someone who does it would be awesome to know if there is any veterinary differences between arabs and non-arab horse breeds im genuinely curious I have heard so many weird things from a variety of sources. 😅

[@reaganclarke6878]

Aren’t you going to keep Rocky?

[@janeminwell4395]

A chunky TB...what a bum on him!!

[@halfarabiansandminis197]

He almost looks like a quarter horse 😁 wonder what he would look like western

[@hb9254]

I thought the same! He’d make a lovely barrel horse 😊

[@kotsosm]

You definitely have a “type” of horse don’t you 🤣

[@zoehenwood9706]

Free jump him! :D

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

I will try to one day!

[@nerosiskou04]

Shoes are not a solution to sore feet.. People might generally think it's the case because the horse walks "better" afterwards but sore feet have other causes than can very well be sorted without the need for shoes. People just don't usually take them time to find the cause and prefer slapping some metal shoes on which do more harm than good.

[@Alyse_bell]

She’s a vet, I think she actually knows a bit about it.

[@petahulbert3125]

I have a flat footed TB.i also have used Scoot Boots out on trails ( i have 8 horses, only one partial shod..we loovee our Scoot Boots!).im in Australia, conditions grately vary depending on the season etc..My mare was great for almost 3 years bare foot...but then she started getting foot sore in the fronts..I did xrays, vets etc..She wasn't even paddock sound and I couldn't keep her Scoot boots on all day due to rub marks...So she now has front shoes and is sooo much more comfortable ,sound and happy..is that not the end goal..regardless?! I think its ignorant to say "most people just don't take the time..."

[@topperhatschire]

Are you aware that she's a practicing veterinarian? I don't think she needs your lecture

[@helensmart8521]

She's an equine vet, please sit down

[@KellyAnn1997]

Lol why does anyone think you…a vet…are going to do anything to hurt Rocky by shoeing him?!?!?!