Advice on selling an ex racer

[Ample Prosecco]

I was wondering if HHO had any advice on selling on a very green ex racehorse. A livery went horse shopping and unfortunately took a well meaning but inexperienced friend with her who advised her badly on what horse would be suitable. The buyer wants a happy hacker, has ridden in the past but is not very confident and needs something super safe and ready to ride. They came home with a severely underweight ex race horse. The story was the horse had been in work, was very safe, good to hack etc But was for sale due to lack of time. He was dope on a rope in the viewing and the she bought the story. And the horse. As the horse has gained weight he has become much more lively and hard to handle on the ground. Not nasty, just rude and needing firm boundaries. She has not dared ride him as she can barely even lead him. So today a pro came to ride and the horse was extremely tense. Pro was riding super quietly. Horse looked like he was a total baby. Head up, wobbly. Green as grass. He rode for about 30 minutes then suggested owner get on just in walk but as soon as her weight was shifting the horse was rounding his back and bronccing. Pro was blunt and said sell on. He could he a nice horse but feels like a 3 year old, is raw as raw can be and has probably done nothing since racing, needs retraining. She is not the rider for that horse and that horse is not suitable for her. She has accepted his advice but has no idea where to turn now. Dealer? Part Ex? She wants to sell to someone knowledgeable about race horses and able to retrain and find a good home for him. She does not feel she knows enough to sell him herself.

He is sound and moves well when he's not super tense. Any advice I can pass on?

 

[McGrools]

Theres loads of ex racehorse rehoming groups on facebook. Folk are always posting wanted ads for projects at not much money. And some are experienced riders who are looking for an affordable summer project.
I would have a look at those pages first. Xx

 

[Melody Grey]

If he’s fresh out of racing could you try to contact his former trainer? Some will have lists of people waiting for one of their finished horses and might be able to help with selling on - may not be interested as well, but worth asking the question. They’d know the horse too which might help to place them in a more suitable home?

ETA: contact your local ROR associated instructor? They may know of people looking for an OTTB?

 

[BronsonNutter]

If she is really stuck she could contact the BTRC up near Lancaster, as it may cost her more than he is sellable for in schooling livery if he is very green (although with the price of horses at the moment maybe not!) They’re also in a good position for if there are any physical issues.

 

[IrishMilo]

Can you PM me some photos and location please?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

If he’s fresh out of racing could you try to contact his former trainer? Some will have lists of people waiting for one of their finished horses and might be able to help with selling on - may not be interested as well, but worth asking the question. They’d know the horse too which might help to place them in a more suitable home?

ETA: contact your local ROR associated instructor? They may know of people looking for an OTTB?

no he’s not fresh out of racing. He was a jump racer and retired a few years ago and was supposedly retrained snd in work till recently. But pro said he feels like he literally done nothing since racing. He’s 11 now.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Thank you. Lots of good ideas. She accepts she will be significantly out of pocket but wants to do right by the horse now.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Can you PM me some photos and location please?

will do x