Sue Salk
Dear readers and friends:
In November 2016, I made the decision to suspend writing and operations of this blog, Off-Track-Thoroughbreds.com.
After seven great years, the last two spent in happy partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF,Inc.), I decided to close the blog to concentrate on another blogging venture. (I now tell the stories of successful restaurants for one the nation’s top manufacturers of restaurant products, Boxerbrand.) It’s a change in direction I was honored to make.
But, I want to note that the time spent writing about the successes and obstacles in the OTTB world has been one of my greatest professional endeavors. To all of those who have sat up at night talking with me about their horses, who’ve kept me in the loop on stories large and small, and to those who have trusted me to deliver your OTTB news, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As they say in horseracing terms, this has been a great run! Good luck everyone with your OTTBs! May you have a great year, free of injuries, full of good hay, and a clear path to success ahead of you!
I am now signing off, my friends.
All the best,
Sue Salk
While no one can take your place, could another person take up the torch, so to speak? This site has been so useful & informative, it would be a shame to lose it.
Tasha, that is SO kind, thank you. It’s been a great, great run. But, I’m now writing a restaurant blog for the family manufacturing business. I love it so much. But thanks. Readers like you made my day! — Sue
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to write the story about my Blaze N Waggin. He is gone now, but the story that you brought to life allowed others to know that just a “regular person” can adopt a Thoroughbred and live that dream. Thank you for sharing our story.
Susan: Say it isn’t so!! Your blog has literally brought me to tears more than once. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done to spotlight these wonderful creatures and to bring awareness and help to those who were in danger. I wish you much success in your next endeavor but know you will be missed!
Thanks for the years you devoted to the OTTB blog. I so enjoyed reading your stories. Good luck and a good run on this new venture of yours.
You did great work for the thoroughbreds.
Thank you for all the great reads. Blessings in your newest endeavor. May the Horse Be With You!!! 🙂
Sad to see no more great stories about OTTBs and their people. Your blog brought to light a lot of what people are trying to do in aftercare, transitioning OTTBs, rescue, and promoting the breed. Your blog will be missed by the OTTB world.
Well, SHUCKS! Sue I loved your blog and I FINALLY was able to get my dream horse – the one I’ve been watching from afar for 7 years – and bring him home to Michigan. I guess I’m going to have to share his amazing story in my own blog. I wish you all the luck in the world. You have an amazing talent, and I hope you will let us know how to find your NEW blog.
Thank you for your blog. Good luck in your new adventures. Lois. New Freedom Farm
Lois,
Thank you!!! And continued success with New Freedom Farm!!! x
So sad to see someone that has simply been the best at bringing light to such important issues. I so appreciate all you have done, and your thoughtful, inspirational writing. You have paid a great service for the horses, and I am so appreciative. I wish you happiness, health and good will Ms. Susan.
Maggi:
That’s an amazing compliment coming from you. The off track Thoroughbred was an obsession for me for years. I’m just honored so many people would open up and tell me their stories, and that of their horse. Now I’m really just looking forward to working on the restaurant blog. I love interviewing people about their successes!
So, Maggi, good luck with all that you do, and keep on winning!!!
Thank you for all the blogs & horse stories, they were inspirational. I haven’t been receiving the emails though for the last several months but did receive this last one, I don’t know why. Anyway, have fun in your new venture.
Best of luck on your future endeavors!
Thanks Susan!!
Susan your blog has been a wonderful read and a wonderful journey. I thank you for the time you devoted to a special horse. Tubby Time. You are gifted. Laurie Hall
Sorry to see you go, but we’ll be thanking you always for your time, your effort and your heart. Always.
Thank you for your years of service to our Thoroughbred-loving community!
I wish you success in your next endeavor.
If your fans/followers still like reading about Thoroughbreds and the everyday equestrian lifestyle (like always having hay bits in your purse and arena grit on your car’s floormats and never enough time to balance work/ride/life), they can visit Tiz A Knight and me over at Saddle Seeks Horse. No blog can fill Off Track TB’s shoes, but there is a passionate community of bloggers telling our day to day experiences living and loving our Thoroughbreds. A few others I can think off off the top of my head are Fly On Over, She Moved to Texas, Collecting Thoroughbreds. We’ll try to carry the torch in a small way. 🙂
Thank you, Sue! Your stories really kept me going in my early years with my first OTTB — and those stories of these amazing horses and their dedicated humans will always inspire me. I even met some wonderful people as a result of your blog. Best of luck with your new endeavors!
So long, Ms.. Salk. Miss you already.
You have made a difference in the lives of many horses in the future simply by having created this space for people to read about what an OTTB can become. THANK YOU so much!
Sad to say goodbye yet again BUT … I hope you still remain friends with us on Facebook and share your horsey and restaurant adventures. (Just try not to tempt those of us who are struggling to lose weight with anything that could remotely be considered “diet sabotage.” Just sayin’). Loved OTTB blog, loved your writing and your wonderful stories. Do keep in touch!!
tbdancer,
It’s not sad, just a necessary next step along my career path. It sure was a good run though, and I’ll always consider the trusty OTTB people my friends. 🙂
Wow! So sad to see you go Susan! I have laughed and cried over so many of your posts! Will miss them….best of luck to you in the future!
Sue, thanks for all you have done. Best wishes for a wonderful future for you!
If you don’t feel it anymore, then I guess you should stop, but I’m sure all of your stories have inspired loads of people to get a retired race horse. And for those of us who are in the racing world has been a great inspiration and a source of hope that our 4-legged friends can get a new and good life after racing.
We all know that there are a lot of misconceptions about Thoroughbreds and your blog has helped break down the walls there. It’s still needed so for that reason and because I enjoyed your blog so much, I’m heartbroken, that you’re signing of. For me writing for restaurants does not even begin to compare – sorry, but I wish you all the best, and hope you’ll miss this so much, that you’ll come back!
Susie – Thank you for doing this for the OTTB. Great fun ahead with your new calling, thanks again ????????????????????
Best wishes to you. Your articles have been so inspiring and heartwarming. Thank you for the work you’ve done and good luck for the future ahead. -Kim
Sue… Wishing you all of the best in your new venture! I cannot begin to tell you how much your stories have meant to me. I cherish the connection and bond we formed through my OTTB rescue Hope. Your stories of our journey together were beautifully written from your heart as were stories all of the brave horses and those who love them that you have written about. I will miss the blog terribly but am so grateful for all you have shared. Personally, you have left me with incredible memories of my girl and I. But more than that, a new friendship with a person who I respect and admire and who is beautiful inside and out! Thank- you Sue!
Susie, thank you so much for these kind words!! It has meant SO much to me, too. And your story & Hope’s is one of my all-time favorites. I’m so glad we *met* through this endeavor, and who knows, maybe we’ll be in Key West this coming January!! 🙂