Ex-race horses

[Mare-e]

There was a thread here asking about arabs. I have questions about the suitability of an ex-racehorse as an all round school and trailriding horse. I am still a novice rider and very conservative in the pace at which I am learning. A friend just told me he has a close friend who owns and runs racehorses. This person is not always in the winner's circle and occassionally has horses that are not good enough to run but that he cannot afford to keep. He would gladly sell these horses for only a few hundred dollars. Providing the horses was healthy after being vetted, and was fairly sweet tempered for a race horse, would he/she be reasonably easy to train for my purposes? What else should I be aware of?

I am not ready to buy yet, but the dream is on the horizon and this is an interesting source to pursue. Especially since I overheard someone at the school I go to saying a well trained horse can cost as much as a car!

[heland]

That sounds exactly what I'm looking for at the moment:eek:

My instructor has a thoroughbred (ex racehorse) he only ran 5 times. Anyway she got him a few months ago (very cheap). The first 8 weeks she schooled him for 10minutes 4 times a week.
She entered him in Prelim dressage and qualified. He has a few problems with trot to canter transitions as he just wants to go, but every day he improves just that little bit more and he is so willing to please.

At the moment he is going over very small jumps but only jumping for around 10minutes and finishing on a good note. She wants to take him to a small novice course just to see how he copes.

His price has trebled at the moment and I think by this time next year he will be just about perfect.

I'm only speaking on behalf of one thoroughbred that I've seen be transformed, other people may have different stories.

[liz--y]

ex racehorses arent suitable for novice riders, they need alot of training if you buy straight from the track

[larri]

It's quite a hard one, if the horse has been in training/ racing since 2 yrs old and you get it off the track at 6 say, you will have more trouble as it will be used to the routine and work of racing.
I.e very busy yard and speed work.
If the horse didn't make the grade early or it came from a trainer who backs and trains the horses properly ( all paces and general riding as well as speed work) then the horse will adjust better. Chances of getting one like that for a couple of hundred are slim!

It will always need plenty of company, you couldn't keep it on it's own, it will need schooling from scratch by someone who is experienced with skittish Tbs - even the sweetest tempered horse will need that, and that is no job for a novice who is learning at a steady pace.
Tb's are very sensitive souls, who have been bred for generations to run as fast as they can and are very good at what they do - are you up to taking on a horse that may bolt every time another horse goes past it, or who is going to take an awful lot of intensive schooling?
From my experience ( I have been looking after an ex racing Tb for the last eight years) they are NOT a good proposition for a novice. Christa is spooky, cannot bear another horse going past her, tries to gallop the minute she sees grass, hates cantering, still jumps like a hurdler and she was bought and reschooleed as a showjumper - not a chance! I have been riding most of my life and have backed and brought on youngsters etc - and quite honestly she is the maddest horse I've ever sat on. totally barking, but as sweet a natured horse in the field as you will ever find.

Save up and go for something a little more sensible is my advice - sorry!

[Sharon H]

In the UK we have charities that specialise in re-training racehorses that have finished their racing career. I would have to say that, by and large they aren't really suitable for a novice person to take on. If you can arrange stabling at a yard where they will help you a lot and you get one with the right temprement then you may be lucky. You may find that you end up spending as much on tuition to re-school an ex-racer as you would do on buying something 'ready to go' anyway?

[Mare-e]

Thanks all. You confirmed what I suspected, that this would likely take more skill and money (for someone else to train) than would be practical. And since I am a conservative and mature novice rider, I am risk adverse. When I'm ready I'll just trust that a suitable horse at an affordable price will cross my path.

[Wally]

Don't didmiss the idea altogether. You may not be able to take on the average racehorse straight from the track now but, in time, given the right horse it is possible.

I knew a race horse who used to come to us for his holidays. The owner wanted us to give him all sorts of outings to keep him interested in life. In between his hols he'd go back to the trainers and do the odd race.

He was a perfect Gentleman, calm, kind and so seay to ride, he went like stink when you asked and stopped at the slightest request. Traffic didn't bother him not even HUGE agricultural vehicles.

If the temperament is there, given time it's not an impossible dream.

I always wonder what happened to Chelsea Man. He was by Idiot's Delight out of a mare called Chelsea Girl...Anybody know?

[Alwin van Egmond]

Hi Mare-e

I came across this site about retraining TB race-horses. It has some articles about selecting, buying and retraining racehorses.

http://members.tripod.com/~jmacneill/retrainTB.html

Maybe it can help you to make a better decision.

Good luck.

Regards
Alwin

[kelsey]

Mare-E, I see that you are in New York....what type of riding do you like to do?

I am from Canada and like you I'm a conservative and mature rider. We have a fantastic breed up here that is really gaining in popularity called the Canadien horse. I bought my gelding at the beginning of the summer and he is fantastic. He didn't have a lot of training when I got him, just trail riding and driving, and he is making great progress. My trainer is working with him a and she loves hime (she always has a big smile when she rides him). According to her, he is extremely smart and willing to please compared to other horses, and has a really good attitude. He also has an incredible smooth trot which is very easy to sit (even extended!)

These horses are also famous for being bomb proof but I think that depends on their breeding. Mine does the occasional small spook (which is very easy to sit) and he is not sluggish in that he is eager to go and moves off the leg right away. But he is not crazy at all.

Looks wise they resemble old-fashioned Morgans (in fact, a lot of Canadien blood is in the Morgan as well as the Saddlebred and Standardbred). They are also known for being all-around horses and make good lower-level dressage horses, jumpers, fox hunters, endurance horses, etc. They also have great feet (mine doesn't need shoes at all) and legs and are generally very healthy (meaning lower vet bills!)

Your money would go a long way up here since our dollar is so bad right now.

Anybody who is interested, let me know, I have all kinds of info and websites on them.

[B W]

There are some ex race horses at our barn. They are nice and the experienced riders can usually do something with them. There is this one tb that belongs to a family and a couple of months ago they took him to a show. The little girl that takes lessons on him was afraid to ride him in the show but after seeing all the other girls ride she changed her mind. Thankfully the owner of the barn wanted to go in and lead her around for a bit during warm up. The first horse cantered by them and I guess the horse had a flashback of racing days and would have bolted if not for the instructor. Needless to say the little girl did not show her horse and a disaster was prevented. I would have to be a really good rider to take on an ex race horse for that reason. I'm sure it doesn't apply to all horses but I wouldn't take that chance. But that's just me.

[Mare-e]

Wally: will remain open minded, especially when I hear the kind of experience you have had

Alwin: thanks for the web site. Great info and lots to think about

Kelsey: I am just doing weekly basic flat lessons, with maybe a yearly vacation where I can trail ride. Never heard of the Canadien horse, but am familiar with Morgans and like their reputation.

BW: appreciate the input. Would seem TB/race horses are highly individual and will have to evaluate the individual horse when the time comes. Larry sounds like a great guy. Will E-mail you more when I have time. Have suddenly gotten busy again now that the stock market is up and people are feeling better about spending again. Need to sell up a storm to make the money to fund my dream... I've even got a lottery ticket...

[Emma_G_NZ]

Mare-e.. I was thinking about your post.
If you dont have enough money later on for a proper well schooled horse,There is always the option of a good ex-racer standardbred. They are easier to retrain than a TB and they have an excellent nature (well most of them anyway!) they are very willing,And they have had more done to them than the average horse,In fact 10 x more! They dont come with the skittish brain and accept things as they come.I dont know what their availability is in America but here most end up going to the meatworks and all the TB's end up with homes.Just because they pace doesnt mean they cant be retrained,In fact a pacer is easier to retrain than a trotter.(Both are different type of Standardbred,One trots one paces).
My boy,Vance,Is 15 years old and raced for 9 years winning $30,000.. He was one of the lucky ones who someone in the syndicate kept and retrained him.Sadly they didnt have enough room for him and I was luckily enough to be the first to call about him and lucky for me,He was perfect!
Dont discount all types of ex-racers :) Just think,With a SB most of the work has already been done for you.My boy was exersised on the roads quite a bit and jogged 40 kms a day while he was in work.He also had 42 race starts from Nelson to Bluff. A well travelled horse!
By the way... He is bombproof and would rather go slower than faster,But.. If you do want to go he will go! He loves the river,Loves going for treks and has the most beautiful paces of a warmblood!
If you were thinking of ever getting a SB,that goes for anyone,I wouldnt hesitate!
(I am talking about the SB's I know,They are all the same,And i have only had good experiences,There is always the odd bad one,But that goes for any breed!).
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/015/C3/9s/6t/9o91301.jpg

P.s. Who ever said Standardbreds were ugly? hehe

[Mare-e]

Wow! What a beauty! Definitely has that "hey, let's go for a nice ride" invitation in the expression. Of course, I hallucinate around horses and think they are all inviting me to come play.

[heland]

He is beautiful:)

[alexa]

I have an x-racehorse and I am very happy with him - he has changed so much over the last 3 years both physically and mentally. I have to point out however that I am someone who just likes to trail ride, I do not compete. He gets very excited and full of himself when he is with strange horses and also if he goes to a place he does not know. This did not seem to matter when he was racing but for any type of competition involving control and precision he would not be able to cope mentally when away from home. Out with friends on horses that he knows we can gallop together with no problem now.

He is ridden for me a few times a week (as I am not available every day as I work full time and frankly am too tired at night to go out) by a professional rider and he admits that he does not have the right mental state for competitions, though at home now he has become pretty good at dressage and jumps really well as long as he can be kept calm.

I have to say I am not a good rider but I am calm and patient and stick on board no matter what and the horse now trusts me and we can do most things together. I will buy another x-racehorse as soon as I am able to as I think they are so beautiful and there are so many needing homes.

[TBgrl]

:D That is my dream also.

I am looking for my first horse this summer, and it won't be an ex-racer:( i just don't have the experience yet to re-train one...BUT
Once I have been riding ,training and competing with my first horse(schoolmaster extrordinaire)I will get one.

TBs are my favorite breed and there are so many needing homes.

I'll need to get a new job again to afford two horses.. Oh well.

I have my eye on one who was rescued by my cousin. Hes an 18 yr.old scoolmaster( 16.3 hands...ohmy:rolleyes: )
Hope hes still aound by the summer hes a chestnut TB with a star
and so pretty.

Good luck!!!
From Susan> horse lover for life<

[heland]

I'm going to look at a couple of TB's tomorrow. One has never race the other one has.

I'll keep you informed!!

[Peace]

Hi, Mare-e:
Is that trotter track still in Yonkers? I wonder if you could pick up a retired Standardbred from them. I agree about the disposition - I worked with one in a hippotherapy program last summer, and he was wonderful. You could put any of the kids on him. Short, too, which is a plus when you have kids who need sidewalkers!

[B W]

alexa: Your horse is very lucky to have an owner like you. TBs have a lot of heart and they are so beautiful. But true race horses need an experienced rider and since they are trained and raced so young it does do numbers on their minds. There is a standardbred at our barn also that was rescued from the track. My barn owner likes to rescue horses and find them new "mamas". He is a nice horse although he still needs an experienced rider. I like the mind of my QH and I love the Tennessee Walker. They are the most gentle horses I've ever been around.

[Desiree]

I'm just gonna reiterate that STANDARDBREDS are the most wonderful, willing, honest, sensible, intelligent breed I've ever come across, and working at riding schools and trail centres, I've come across most!

We have a few that are in work that can be ridden for pleasure in the week and race on the weekend, they're so versatile... we have an assoc. in Aust (and I guess in NZtoo) for STB's and there have been quite a number succeed in dressage, eventing... you name it, they're just so eager to please.

In my experience, it doesn't take much to get a TB fizzy, even years after being retired... you very rarely get that in STBs at all...

[Lucy J]

I took on a very sweet natured ex-racehorse a year past in August. Although she was very kind, she was also highly strung. Even though she had been off the track for a few years, She had concerns about hacking out alone, bearing in mind these horses only ever ride out in strings. she was terrified about what she was being asked to do and on occassion with no warning would sort of 'short circuit' and start rearing up. Regardless of how sweet, they are insecure and complicated creatures. It is a very rewarding experience when you succeed, but this takes a long time, and in my mares case, could never be fully remedied. They can be unpredictable and some will never be right. If you have the horse experience and are good at reading their body language and won't be afraid of high spirits then you have a chance of an excellent relationship and partnership, if you show them any kind of insecurity they will get nervous or take advantage of you. Its is a big challenge.

[liberty911]

Who had won his weight in gold as a steeple chaser! I rode that horse from age 8-13 and never once had a problem. I think in all honesty he even saved me from breaking my neck by saving jumps while I was out fiddling with x-country!

[ponyvet]

ex racehorses are wonderfu to have and a joy to own, just like any other horse. They are a real challenge to start with as they are not trained to do anything but carry a person and run very fast. They do need extensive retraining and I wouldn't suggest a novice had one soon after it retired from racing. However there are a lot of TBs out there that used to race and have since become riding horses. I bet if you phoned anyone who is selling a TB and they'll tell you it once raced (and they'd probably be telling the truth).

You'd be best off looking for any horse that sounds like it fits what you want. Make yourself a list and decide what the important things are. You may find a TB who was a racer that fits the bill, but unless you're an experieced horse owner you don't need to go out looking for a specific breed or type of horse - just one that suits you!