The farm is a private training facility that is located in Ball Ground, Georgia. It’s roughly 45 minutes North of Atlanta in Cherokee County. Each horse is placed into a training regiment that develops their talents for Eventing and the show ring. The farm has one of the best track records when it comes to the quality of training programs, sound and quiet Thoroughbreds offered for sale, and is recognized as having a high satisfaction rating from owners and buyers.
Clients are able to come to the farm and know that they can trust the farm’s reputation as being a valuable resource. Striving to be the best, Zeb understands the investment that is placed into a horse whether it is emotional, financial or both. Turning out beautiful and talented Thoroughbreds is the end result at Little Kentucky Farm and is a lasting commitment.
Boarding at Little Kentucky Farm – Full Board $650.00
The farm offers boarding for clients who have horses in need of training, for those wishing to sell their horse, or for an owner wanting safe and quiet surroundings in order to focus and train for competition. Openings fill up extremely fast, therefore it is best to put your name on the waiting list well in advance. All breeds are welcome.
Amenities
• 12 x 12 matted stalls that are generously bedded with pine shavings, well ventilated. Comfortable and spacious for horses to stretch out. Well lighted, safe and quiet atmosphere.
• Hay and pine shavings stored in separate out building. Loft for storage.
• Rotational worming program included in board fee
• Solitude IGR Fly program included in board fee
• Additional supplements to be provided by horse’s owner
• Comfortable tackroom area
• Kentucky or Illinois Orchard/Alf hay, Timothy/Alf hay, Alfalfa
• (2) Hot & cold matted wash racks
• Regularly scheduled certified farrier and vet appointments. Will hold your horse during the appointment for $10 per visit
• Maintained Kentucky fescue/winter rye pastures with board fencing. The fields are seeded and fertilized in Spring and Fall and cared for throughout the year.
• Individualized turnout or with a buddy. Bell boots, splint boots, sheets, blankets put on at no extra charge.
• (1) Summer fan included in board fee. (2) Summer fans at an additional $10 per month
• Blanketing during the colder months included in board fee
• Newly renovated 200′ x 100′ River sand arena, stadium fences
• The farm stays busy with weekly travel to school cross country courses and compete in recognized shows. Hauling arrangements available.
Lessons
Lessons and training is at all levels and all breeds with primary focus on Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping.
- Individual lessons at the farm: $50
- Individual lessons off the farm: $60
- Training rides: $50 ($60 for rides off the farm)
Consignment Policy
Need assistance in selling your horse? Little Kentucky Farm takes the guess work out of selling horses for owners. Horses may come to the farm on consignment where a variety of services are offered depending upon your individual specific needs. On average we have sold consignment horses in under 2-3 months. Our service does all the leg-work that is required to expedite a sale and where both buyer and seller will have had a fair and honest experience.
The farm assists buyers in finding the appropriate horse or assists sellers in marketing their horse by making contact with numerous professionals in the sport. 10% commission is due on purchased horses that are brokered by Little Kentucky Farm.
Consignment board is $1200 that entails stabling, feed, handling, grooming, training rides, electronic and hardcopy marketing/advertising, video and photography. Consignment horses will be ridden and trained 5-6 days per week. Owner pays for competitions and schooling fees. Commission fee of 10% is due upon final sale.
Full Training Board – $1200 & Partial Training Board – $850
Full Training Board horses are in work 5-6 days a week. Partial Training Board horses are in work 3-4 days a week.
Training includes problem solving, groundwork, lunge line work, gymnastics, conditioning, galloping, learning to work off the seat and leg aids, gaining straightness, balance and rhythm, jumping lessons, dressage, cross country, cross country sessions on recognized courses in Georgia.
Training is steady and systematic, allowing the horse to be interested and happy with exercises so that they’re more willing to do the work and repeat the good behavior. Horses in training will go on training trips off the farm to experience ‘coming and going’ from home and to begin gaining mileage to prepare for competition. There is also an emphasis on conditioning and building muscle properly with weekly walks and hacks on hills.
Racing Farm in Cartersville, Georgia
Morning Gallop
Little Kentucky Farm has partnered with Frank Lewis Racing at Old Mill Farm in Cartersville, GA. Stalls are open for race training of Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, specializing in training horses in transition from racing to competition, layups, breaking babies and sales. 
Old Mill Farm is historically known as the home site of the famous Thoroughbred trainer, Horatio Luro. El Gran Senor, as he was known in the racing community, trained the likes of Princequillo, Northern Dancer, Tap Shoes, Decidedly, Kayak II and champion turf horse Iceberg II.
The Training Barn offers full amenities with a 5/8 mile track, 4-Horse hot walker, round pen, cinderblock stalls with straw or pine shavings, indoor jogging track, and custom feed program for top maintenance. 
Trainer, Frank Lewis has 30 years experience handling broodmares, foals, stallions, and training Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses for racing. Known as having patience and a quiet demeanor, Lewis allows horses to mature and gain confidence for the track.
Gate introduction
Call Trainer Frank Lewis at 770-337-2728 or Zeb Fry at 404-202-4935. Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma racing season in 2011.
- Training/Conditioning and Board = $45 per day
- Lay-ups = $30 per day
- Breaking Babies = $45 per day
- Rehab = $45 per day plus vet expenses
- Sales = 10-15% commission
- Transitioning Ex-Racers to Eventers Located at Little Kentucky Farm = $1,200 per month
Thoroughbred Rehab and Problem Solving
Many people purchasing Thoroughbreds soon after find themselves in over their heads when it comes to training and problem solving. What appeared to be a simple horse to handle when trying it out from the seller, is suddenly tagged as a “problem” when taken home. Owners who are either too young or inexperienced are put into a situation where the behavior of the horse develops into an intimidating relationship.
There are sellers out there who are buying cheap Thoroughbreds off the track and tacking on high price tags to resell and ‘flip’ horses quickly. They’re commonly known as ‘horse traders’ . The horses are being advertised in a misleading way to the public as being quiet or spook-proof, which then generally attracts parents with young children or novice riders who are first time horse owners. There are also hidden facts about race horses that if you’re not educated or have experience on the track, you will probably be blind sided.
Thoroughbreds that are taken off the track may at first seem easy to handle in some cases. They may appear to be quite types that like to carry their heads long and low or who don’t move off the rider’s leg. Then after a few days or a couple of weeks, the owner sees something different developing in the animal’s behavior that I like to call the “little red flag”. Outside of the hustle and bustle of the track, you will have a different behaving horse regardless. People must realize what they’re getting into and that when owning any horse that it is a long term commitment.
Some problems and issues owners are being faced with:
- Realizing that you’ve gotten in over your head with a young Thoroughbred
- Ears pinning back when you put your leg against the horse
- Heavy on the forehand and moving unbalanced
- Sensitive behavior while being groomed
- Learning how to travel up and down hills at a gallop
- Weight loss, bad feet
- Mouthy or nippy behavior
- Leaning and pulling against your hand with the reins
- Cow kicking, bucking or rearing when riding
- Tossing its head
- Fish tailing or swerving and not riding straight
- Stopping or running out at fences
- Defensive stall behavior
- Rushing fences
- Learning how to jump fences
- Starting over with flatwork
- Loading on a trailer
- Bring a professional horseman with you when considering a horse to purchase: have the professional first get on the horse and ride it and listen to their opinion
- Ride the horse in the arena and outside of the arena: you want to be able to quietly hack out the horse without other horses to see how it behaves away from the barn
- Always set up a pre purchase exam with the vet of YOUR choice: never let the seller pick the vet for you
- NEVER buy a horse sight unseen: you need to see how the horse moves, you need to make sure you’re comfortable being with it, you must be HANDS-ON
- Train with a professional who has years of experience: interview and get a history about the person you want to work with
- BE REALISTIC with what level of a rider you are: if you are a novice rider, then take responsibility to improve your riding BEFORE purchasing a green horse! Know your limitations!
- Find out the history of the horse: what track did it come off of, who owned it last and what level of a rider were they, why are they selling
Owners can find themselves in a state of shock, helpless, angry, scared, or in court suing the seller for misrepresentation. What they imagined as a horse they can hop on and enjoy riding in a simple carefree manner has become a “money-pit”. Little Kentucky Farm continues to stress to people who want to purchase an ex-race horse that they have to work with an educated seller and for them to do their homework about that seller BEFORE any exchange of money. It’s people who cause the most harm - BE REALISTIC about yourself before buying a Thoroughbred.
The rider’s attitude plays a major part in training a young horse. The rider needs to stay quiet yet reassuring, praise the horse for when it does something properly but be “timely” when it becomes confused and unwilling. You have to ride in a positive manner in order to have a positive outcome. Many negative traits in horses are similar to those the owner has. For the horse to improve, the owner must improve too – that is where you get results at the farm.
Should I Buy a Thoroughbred Sight-Unseen?
OK everyone, now read the title of this article again 10 times and answer each time out-loud, “NO!”
I wrote this article to protect buyers and in a certain way to protect the horses. There is a trend or lately a ‘fad’ where inexpensive Thoroughbreds are being offered to the pubic by unreliable businesses. Some advertise that they take the worry and hassle out of purchasing a Thoroughbred from the track, and this is where a novice or someone not familiar with racing will often regret their decision to purchase.
On one occasion I was confronted with a situation where a woman went on a web site and saw a Thoroughbred at a track in another state for sale. She contacted the people about the horse and was basically talked into purchasing it without ever looking and laying her hands on it. To make matters worse, the source selling the Thoroughbred arranged for ‘their’ vet to do the exam.
Needless to say once the horse arrived in Georgia, not only was it lame on both front legs, but it’s hooves were in terrible condition with under run heels, flat plate-like walls, under weight (even for a racehorse), and was terribly unhappy. She purchased this horse for $6K, sight unseen, and was told a sob story about how terrible racehorses have it at the track. The seller played on this woman’s soft side and told her this racehorse could possibly go to slaughter. They made quite a convincing argument to the buyer and nailed it hook-line-and sinker.
I am always surprised that there are people, no matter how good their intentions may be, purchasing Thoroughbreds with both eyes shut and are so willing to part with their money. My question to you is, “Would you read an ad in the newspaper about a used car for sale and send the seller a check without ever looking at it, without taking it for a test drive, and without taking it TO YOUR MECHANIC?” The answer is simple . . . . . “NO!”
I will continue to argue the point that you are at risk of losing your money and starting a new relationship with a horse that is only going to bring you a load of frustration and probable heartbreak. The old saying, “Buyer Beware!” is so true.
So how does someone avoid a situation like this? I’ve listed a few pieces of advice:
1) Never purchase a Thoroughbred sight-unseen.
2) Never be a first-time horse owner when buying a racehorse, unless you partner up with a knowledgeable trainer to assist you.
3) Educate yourself about the track and how racehorses are trained and handled.
4) Always bring an experienced horseman with you to look at the horse.
5) Be aware that there is always a risk in purchasing a horse and that it is a costly venture. If you don’t have the finances to properly care for a horse, then don’t invest in one.
It’s always a good idea to do the above mentioned when purchasing a racehorse. I will also tell people to listen to that ‘gut’ feeling they have and to never make a decision based on emotions.
