Thinking of buying a Thoroughbred any advice??
- Thread starter tbosborn
- Start date
Is this a specific horse you are thinking of buying or do you mean that when you buy a horse you would like a thoroughbred? TB's tend to be individuals. Some are great jumpers, others are not. Some hate living out, others hate being kept in. Some like being field ornaments going for an occasional short hack and others are only happy when kept in hard work!
Why do you specifically want a thoroughbred?
Why do you specifically want a thoroughbred?
Hi, thanks for replying.
Well i have always been interested in them since i was a child as i used to ride one. I have been loaning for a while and now want to buy. There is a lady selling a 16.1 4 yr old gelding thoroughbred that sounds perfect!!! However she is only selling him for £500 which i am slightly wary about. But he is available for trial period which to me sounds a bonus because if he is at all crazy or unsuitable surely she wouldnt entertain this idea?
Well i have always been interested in them since i was a child as i used to ride one. I have been loaning for a while and now want to buy. There is a lady selling a 16.1 4 yr old gelding thoroughbred that sounds perfect!!! However she is only selling him for £500 which i am slightly wary about. But he is available for trial period which to me sounds a bonus because if he is at all crazy or unsuitable surely she wouldnt entertain this idea?
Y
Yann
Guest
They're all individuals but like any breed you get general trends. They're quite often quite quiet and mild mannered on the ground, but that doesn't always follow through to the saddle where many are sensitive, very forward going and keen to run. Depending on their history and how they're kept they can also be spooky and highly strung. Watch out for things like weaving, cribbing and box walking. Ulcers are common amongst ex racers by all accounts.
One big problem with Tb's can be their feet, which are often small, weak, and especially prone to underrun heels and potential soundness and shoe retention problems later in life. I think a lot of their reputation for being fragile and going lame easily stems in part from foot problems affecting the rest of the horse.
On the plus side their energy, athleticism, stamina and biddable nature makes them fabulous riding horses
One big problem with Tb's can be their feet, which are often small, weak, and especially prone to underrun heels and potential soundness and shoe retention problems later in life. I think a lot of their reputation for being fragile and going lame easily stems in part from foot problems affecting the rest of the horse.
On the plus side their energy, athleticism, stamina and biddable nature makes them fabulous riding horses
I had a TB who was fab - if you have him on trial make sure your farrier checks his feet - mine had loads of problems keeping shoes on etc. He was a 'loved to be in horse' and enjoyed his comforts.
Every horse is individual as every person is - the key whether this horse is TB or not is to make sure he is suitable for you - as you are for him (so if an indoor horse that needs lots of time to pamper him/her - is he suitable for your riding experience and all those questions etc.)
Every horse is individual as every person is - the key whether this horse is TB or not is to make sure he is suitable for you - as you are for him (so if an indoor horse that needs lots of time to pamper him/her - is he suitable for your riding experience and all those questions etc.)
*Sez*
Salsa & Solstice Twilight
I've had my off-track Thoroughbred for three years and adore him 
I'm a complete TB convert since I bought him.
As has been said, it completely depends on the horse. Mine lives out quite happily, is barefoot and stays out in all weather. Some just wouldn't tolerate it. Mine has been a complete swine to fit a saddle to - others are not a bother. I had a horrible time getting his shoes to stay on, which was my basis for going barefoot, but he did require several months off work to condition his feet, and it's taken a year for him to have good, healthy feet.
Thoroughbreds, as a breed, seem to have a tendancy to be a little highly strung, a pre-disposition for stable vices, and can be complete loons. They can also be notorious for trying to keep weight on them and typically have quite a fine coat and thin skin which can lead to ticklishness. There's always exceptions to the rule
so each one needs assessing as an individual, but it's worth bearing in mind.
The other big "thing" with TBs is whether they have raced. Re-training an ex-racer is a big job and not to be taken lightly, whereas a TB who has never raced or who has already been retrained is another kettle of fish altogether. A good Thoroughbred is usually very responsive, intelligent animal and I have to say I get so much pleasure from the relationship I have with mine.
I'm a complete TB convert since I bought him.As has been said, it completely depends on the horse. Mine lives out quite happily, is barefoot and stays out in all weather. Some just wouldn't tolerate it. Mine has been a complete swine to fit a saddle to - others are not a bother. I had a horrible time getting his shoes to stay on, which was my basis for going barefoot, but he did require several months off work to condition his feet, and it's taken a year for him to have good, healthy feet.
Thoroughbreds, as a breed, seem to have a tendancy to be a little highly strung, a pre-disposition for stable vices, and can be complete loons. They can also be notorious for trying to keep weight on them and typically have quite a fine coat and thin skin which can lead to ticklishness. There's always exceptions to the rule
so each one needs assessing as an individual, but it's worth bearing in mind. The other big "thing" with TBs is whether they have raced. Re-training an ex-racer is a big job and not to be taken lightly, whereas a TB who has never raced or who has already been retrained is another kettle of fish altogether. A good Thoroughbred is usually very responsive, intelligent animal and I have to say I get so much pleasure from the relationship I have with mine.
I used to ride an off the track TB, he was as dopey as a PC pony, with a personality the size of a house, nothing spooked him, he was an utter gentleman. His name was Chelseaman, a more reliable bloke you could not wish to meet.
This was him on an endurance ride.
This was him on an endurance ride.
Totally agree with you Sez, could not have put it better.
I have two OTT TB, both are beautiful horses with genuine big herats and personalities. But could not be miles apart one is very hardy likes being out, and the other is very precious any tiny lump or bump I need the vet out and have had lots of problems and issues with her feet, and nearly a year and a half on I am just getting them sorted.
Why is she selling him for only 500, I would get his feet checked out first, make sure his heels are not under run and his toes are not long. as this can take months to correct and balance.
Good luck keep us posted.
I have two OTT TB, both are beautiful horses with genuine big herats and personalities. But could not be miles apart one is very hardy likes being out, and the other is very precious any tiny lump or bump I need the vet out and have had lots of problems and issues with her feet, and nearly a year and a half on I am just getting them sorted.
Why is she selling him for only 500, I would get his feet checked out first, make sure his heels are not under run and his toes are not long. as this can take months to correct and balance.
Good luck keep us posted.
I have a TB mare and she's absolutely lovely both on the ground and under saddle
Although she's very forward going she never feel like she's going to take off with me or do anything silly.
Most TB's that I know are very mild mannered and extremely intelligent There are exceptions to this though and I've come across a few highly strung beasties in my time LOL
Good luck with your search for a TB!!!
Although she's very forward going she never feel like she's going to take off with me or do anything silly.
Most TB's that I know are very mild mannered and extremely intelligent
There are exceptions to this though and I've come across a few highly strung beasties in my time LOLGood luck with your search for a TB!!!
He is lovely. I am going to go and try him and see for myself. I know from the lady that he is living out and has great manners in and out of the stable and she says he is fantastic to ride and not at all flighty, so if all she is saying is true then he should be a bargain. I am not sure if he was raced, that is something i will ask tonight when i speak to her. I know from research they can be a handful but i think it is each individual horse not neccersarily there breed. At the moment i am looking after a 15.2 cob and he is a complete nightmare!! He is really bargy with no manners and he is definitly not a plod, he does not stop for anyone. And yet everyone says a cob is an ideal 1st horse!!!!
My tb is a joy to ride, incredibly responsive as I just have to "think" a change in pace, but this also makes her a challenge. I'm an experienced rider but she keeps me on my toes and has reawoken my passion for riding and taken me to my first dressage lessons in over 20 years. She's good in traffic but shys at almost anything except usually what I expect her to shy at, she's amazing to load, but stressy in a stable as she loves living out with her mates. (previously she's always been stabled and didn't know much different). She leaps about like a racehorse sometimes (she forgets she isn't one any more), but nothing nasty and she's getting used to having a canter without having to win (which she never did anyway). I love her and would buy an ex-racer again.
At 13 I also had a 3 yr old tb who had never raced, I had her twenty years until she died and she was wonderful and I still miss her.
(which she never did anyway). I love her and would buy an ex-racer again. At 13 I also had a 3 yr old tb who had never raced, I had her twenty years until she died and she was wonderful and I still miss her.
Thanks for the pics your horse is beautiful Clava. I think i may have wasted my time posting this thread now. The owner of the horse i have on loan at the moment is going to get rid of him!!!!!! Her words not mine......
He is not the easiest horse to ride and he is abit bargy but apart from that he is lovely. Just needs to be completly schooled again and needs a properly fitting saddle. Anyway i have told her i would have him as i cant bear him to go to just anyone. She is going to let me know next wk! I may be mad and have to put in alot of work but i say better the devil you know. I said i had no patience didnt i!!!!!
He is not the easiest horse to ride and he is abit bargy but apart from that he is lovely. Just needs to be completly schooled again and needs a properly fitting saddle. Anyway i have told her i would have him as i cant bear him to go to just anyone. She is going to let me know next wk! I may be mad and have to put in alot of work but i say better the devil you know. I said i had no patience didnt i!!!!!
My TB ex-racer was FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE! The girl who had him before had ridden him quite hard when she first got him but had just lost interest and wanted to get rid. I was very sceptical because Victor was going to be my first horse and although I learnt to ride on racehorses a long time ago and had subsequent "proper" lessons, the age old thing of fear had crept in! I thought, like you, there must be something wrong with him but took a very knowledgeable friend along with me to check him out, rode him on the road and in a field and he was perfect. He's been with me since November and he's proving to be an absolute sweetie. He is taking quite a bit of patience but he's so worth it. I would never have believed it of the racers I knew but he free schools like a dream!
Let us know your progress.
Let us know your progress.
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