Who all runs an OTTB?

Any pro rodeo or true 1D OTTB's out there?

Is there a market for them?

This is my main barrel horse. He is a solid 1D (smaller) or 3D (larger races). I have not entered him in any rodeos yet, but I'm hoping he will do well, he does better on trashy ground and with lots of noise and commotion. I would say there is not really a market for them though. I would not put in the time and effort to train one foe resale, because the value and demand just isn't there. But personally, I would choose an OTTB over a QH all day long   =]

I don't currently own a off track TB for barrels, ours we have was a distance runner, makes a good circle horse on the ranch, huge stride and just floats. 

But there are many tough TBs out there, I have had sprinting breed TBs that out muscle a race breed AQHA and keep up to them easily, many will eat up a cow too. If my grandparents in law still trained I'd still take the sprinters that didn't work out. I love off the track horses. 

Not a 1D horse but shes 2D/3D. This is my niece and she does all the different events. She also was a 3 day eventer prior to running barrels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XorRhlTvtU0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EncDKosh8hk

AnnieB - 2D mare who always always always hooks her first barrel. If we don't, it's cause I told her otherwise. She's not the brightest and not a lot of explosive speed leaving a barrel but she tries her little speckled heart out. Her big stride and that immense amount of try are what saves her.

Thanks for the info! Anyone else?!

What do you feed that handsome fella? I have 2 that I would sure love to look like him

Not off the track - she was not broke until I got her at 4.  Shorter back & very short neck for a TB.  I've entered her about 15 times over the last year (due to life, weather, injuries, etc).  She's naturally turney and can sure run.  She placed bottom of the 2D last race at a smaller show here in east texas.  Super smart - learns quickly.  Smoothe Smoothe Smoothe.

I've noticed that a lot of the TB barrel horses are pretty setty and like to turn!

Neither of mine have been push style.  All I have to do is smooch - no kick - just squeeze.  Very easy ride.

I have noticed the same. There's about seven that I know of in this area and one is free running. The rest are setty to varying degrees. They all hunt the turn. 

Aw, thank you so much!! He is on pasture 24/7, alfalfa and omolene 200  =]

There are quite a few here in PA and several are making solid 1/2D horses. 

My RRP horse from last year has gone on to be a barrel, horse. She is the one horse I truly regret selling. I love my AQHAs but growing up in the TB industry they will always be my first love. 

I know of one who is not alny a fantastic barrel horse but has now left the barrel pen to be an eventer. 

The unfortunate thing for the OTTB is there is not a very strong market for them as barrel horses.

Why do you think that is?

Cause lots of them are reaalllly slow.

Edit: Before somebody gets their feelers hurt and fusses at me, no, not all of them are slow. But, as much as I adore AnnieB, every Quarter Horse in my pasture, even the fat, retired ones, can outsprint her. Her stride is twice as long but she lacks the fast twitch muscle to turn that stride over quickly. 

Agreed! Quarter horses have been bred to do this for a long time. There are hundreds of studs to pick from specifically bred for barrels. They are built for this, they are bred for this. Just like thoroughbreds are built for and bred for racing. I know some local pony clubbers that use a QH for their jumping, and do very well! However that is not a norm, and you don't see many qh advertised as jumpers. Not saying there aren't some that excel, it's just a minority. Same with TB barrel horses. There just isn't a resale market for them, as they are bred and built for a different sport. 

A Quarter Horse is a sprinter a Thoroughtbred is more of a long distance runner. A Quarter Horse can out sprint a Thorougbred between barrels. 

Best purchase I ever made. I sold him to a friend. But he is 100% TB and was off the track. He was the COOLEST ride ever! His first year on the pattern at 7 he won the 3D at a local jackpot summer series! He needed  a bit wider pockets. But man he mad up his time in between barrels and on his way home.