Advice on ex-racehorses

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H_Venables

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Does anyone have any advice or experience of re-schooling ex-racehorses?

A trustworthy family friend has 3 thoroughbreds, all ex-racers and all of them for one reason or another have retired, are wasted at present and looking for homes. Two of them in their teens.

I'm thinking of taking one of them on as a 'project', although they are all sane horses and easy to do. <font color="yellow"> </font>
 
I just bought one! an 8 yr old mare, she is going well at the moment, I am lunging her a few times a week and riding her the rest for about twenty mins mainly walking asking her to bend etc as she is stiff as a board
 
Just 1 more thing, an unfit ex racer TB is quite a different thing to a fit and raring to go TB, you may find they are not so sane and sensible at a later date.
 
My 20yo mare came off the racetrack at 8yo, it took me 12 months of boring her to death and showing her that just because we had hit grass, it didn't mean she had to take off like a thing possessed! Worked in the end and I trusted her with my life, she really is my horse of a lifetime and would do it all again if I were younger.
If the temperament is good and the horse is sound and you think you have the experience etc. to handle a potentially flighty horse, I see no reason why you shouldn't go for it. Just remember that ex racers can be trouble and some can just as easily be ruined as re-trained.
 
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Just 1 more thing, an unfit ex racer TB is quite a different thing to a fit and raring to go TB, you may find they are not so sane and sensible at a later date.

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Agreed! ;-)

Trick is (something that I didn't do before hand) is to reschool while they're getting fit so that the manners and fitness work hand in hand - I didn't do that last year and had a horse I couldn't ride....my own fault though.

I wouldn't hesitate getting another one but they are hard work and I wouldn't be getting anywhere if it wasn't for the very strong support network I have! x
 
I have an ex-racer tb mare...we have been together 10 years now...I got her when she was 9 (finished racing at 5) she had obviously been re-schooled but unfortunately had been badly treated so the handling was always the issue...tho i did have to learn to ride her differently from my previous horse. She had never jumped before so we did teach her..or rather we let her work it out and didn't interfer - she got the jist pretty quickly!!!
I think they are great but it all depends on their backgrounds/care...my mare still has some hang-ups which are apparently from her racing days and her legs have the wear and tear of racing. I have known other ex-racers - they are all very individual...something you have to bear in mind..they were bred to be athletes and can be quick and cleverer than you!!!
They are sensitive and you need to 'listen' to them.
I feel honoured to have been with her. I have learnt a lot and love her to bits!
 
I have one, had her for three years and she is lovely, but it has been hard work and sometimes rather frustrating, but all in all very rewarding, just took her to her first jumping show and she was good but green. All I can say is take your time and enjoy it. I have a really good back up crew who have helped me......Good luck....
 
I bought a 6 year old ex racer last year. They are a challenge and it took a lot of hard work and patience to get him where he is today. We still have a long way to go and had to take him back to basics.
They learn very quickly both good and bad. Agree with parkranger that the schooling,fitness and manners go hand in hand.
If you have the time then I am sure it will be a good project and wish you success ..........let us know what u decide...
 
i have one, had him 4 years, got him at 7 and hed been badly treated, he is worth every single bit of blood, sweat, tears and money cos although hes unreliable out hacking and im still workinh=g on him letting me touch one ear, he is a fantastic horse to do and he makes me very proud.
 
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She had never jumped before so we did teach her..or rather we let her work it out and didn't interfer - she got the jist pretty quickly!!!!

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We're going through this now! how did she adapt to it?
 
Thanks guys,

I think i will have to go an see the horses. I know they will be vetted properly, both for health and state of mind. I'm not worried about the horse being fiesty and ready to go when it's fit, i prefer spirited horses, but obviously i have self preservation to think of!!

Zigzag - the only ex-racers i've ridden have been stiff too and I'm not sure how much of that you can loosen up. I suppose it depends on the horse and if yours is young, she should be converted in a couple of years.

The fitness level issue is certainly a consideration, as i want to be able to ride out and not fear for my life. I don't actually know if they've been ridden much since leaving the tracks, so i shall have to ask some questions. I think they've been wasted to be honest, but perhaps used for breeding.

A concern is that they are older and i initially thought No Way, an older horse being a liability. When i thought about it more, I have the back up of a horsey family, my partners' father is a vet and experienced horseman, and i have people around to help and advise me.

I think it will depend on how 're-schooled' they are, if at all, and how well they are. I certainly don't want to have a bored, ruined or unhappy neddy.
 
My daughter has a 17 year old ex racer who retired at 12 years old. He had several bad falls and they didnt want to risk him anymore. Shes had him for 5 years and because of back, wither and handling problems, she turned him away again last year. Hes just come back into work and is ridden in a monty roberts dually halter. He goes beautifully in it and actually stands still for her to mount. That was one of his biggest problems.
 
Ah dunthing, that's actually given me a bit of hope. I'm so sceptical about the age thing - but if you say your daughter's horse came of the track when he was 12 - it must be possible.

I've got patience, and in an sense am looking for a little project, rather that something straight forward. Never content with the easy option!!
 
I have 2!!

one was reschooled when I got him and the other has just turned 4 and while we are beetling along nicely, I dispair about her giraffe head carriage ( suggestions on a postcard please!!)
 
Goggles my little man is an ex racer!! hes 12 and finished racing last year after a fall and it was just time to retire him as he had had a few niggleing back probs and had done a very slight leg.

He came to the yard i was at after 6 months off and we took it slowly just lunging him for thge first 2/3 weeks then slowly got on him after lunging and took it from there.

Hes now at home with me and i would hope hes loving it!!

Its hard work but you can see the results of the blood sweat and tears you put in!!

If you want any info just Pm me or if you have msn.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/millbrooksong/gogs/DSC00225.jpg

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and the naughty side

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/millbrooksong/gogs/11_04_200718_44_0004.jpg
 
I have 2 oldies (19,18) and a 6 year old, they are my life, I ride them all out alone and in company, if not ridden they are lunged (they only have 1 day off a week) they are a challenge, but fab. They all have different quirks, brought over from their racing days, but then no two horses are ever the same are they?
I found in the beginning the biggest problem was stable vices, most ex racehorses have at least one stable vice, from being left in for hours on end bored out of their heads. Mine have 24/7 turnout in the summer and I only bring them in, in winter when it gets really cold, and I mean really cold. They are well rugged and seem to be much happier outside, with a field shelter.
I would say go for it, if you have the time and the energy, they are brill.
good luck.
 
Hi ParkRanger...she adapted very well...she was actually very careful and picked it up quickly. I had lessons and was told by my instructors many times to stop interfering and let her do it!!! She enjoyed jumping and she liked to learn, it was always treated as fun. We did a bit of cross country too - she applied the same technique - careful and something new to have a go at!!!
 
I have two (7 &amp; 8 yr olds) love them both to pieces, both have loveable temps on ground, but one is traffic phobic and hates loud noises and the other has a very sensative mouth, we did a dressage test and at the give and take of reins in walk went straight into canter - have to take reins up very slowly or he will be off! But I am not a very exp rider and they have looked after me so far. Saying that the first year with the traffic phobic horse got me to know each grain of sand in our menage after a couple of months, lol.
 
I have one - he is an absolute angel!

Never actually made it onto the racetrack - was VERY green when he came but very willing and trainable.

He was as stiff as a board (but very handsome) - used to describe him as a 'uni-turner' like on Zoolander. Now he is an 'omni-turner' (bless him).
 
Hiya!! i've just got an ex-racer and he 10 now but finished racing at 8, went to a racehorse re-hab center which is where we got him from!! hes such a lovely boy and he's dead laid back and has adapted to life with me really well!!
 
i used to ride a chestnut mare called cheeky when i was 13/14, she was a 16.3h maresh mare!! she had her little moments but i loved her to bits, she was a school mistress and fab at juping etc... my friend bought her off the track as retired she was quite young but i started riding her when she was about 12, i love cobs now unfortunately,!!!!!!!!
 
I have had mine for over a year now - he is 15 (left racing at 8 years old allegedly) - and has been a learning curve definitely! he can be a bit sharp but is quick to learn and I am working on me not being so nervous, cos when I am he worries about it and gets nervous too!

He is an angel on the ground and we do have a good relationship - He is very sensitive and I have to listen to him - he really listens to me which can be a double edged sword! It has taken a long time to build up the trust and we are still working on it, but I love him to bits.

If you have the energy and the dedication, the rewards are worth it.
 
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