Anyone know of anyone getting rid of ex-racers?

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Zimzim

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As my thread says, does anyone know of anyone who takes on ex-racers and finds new homes for them?

I'm currently searching for a new horse and a friend of mine has ex-racers and I'm quite interested in rehoming and retraining an ex-racer to be an all rounder and possibly event sometime in the future. Does anyone know of anyone i.e. trainers etc in the Cumbria area (apart from the TRC)?

I obviously dont want to go to someone who'd rip me off, or who doesnt have a good reputation and sell me something that really wouldnt be re-trainable. I am quite experienced and I dont mind something thats quirky or flighty or has issues and needs the work.

Any suggestions would be greatly appretiated, thanks :-)
 
Hiya thanks for your reply

No I dont mind travelling and looking around lancashire/ yorkshire way. I dont know if they do but will have a look! :)
 
Why do you want to avoid going to a re-training centre, people who will assess you and your riding and give you a suitable horse.
To be honest with you, I have worked in racing and some of the horses we had were not suitable for amateurs, we never "got rid" of our good horses, we sent them to top quality sales where they were purchased by professionals, who would have been advised of any quirks if they asked.
I know that some trainers who have difficult horses send them to the cheaper sales, without the trainer guaranteeing them, these are the ones he "wants to get rid of", and he would not send his own staff with them, they are sold by the owner.
Sometimes horses are sent back to their owners, for various reasons including health issues, most would be reasonable to ride in a racing yard, but often not suited to riding school type riders, and often not used to being trained on their own.
To be honest, when I first started to keep a horse at local liveries I was aghast at the standard of riding and stable management by horse owners, most people have very limited experience, which is understandable, as they are not riding three or four lots every day.
However if you read post after post on this forum you will see that people buy horses which are really not suitable, and soon get into trouble. You may be the second best rider in the world, but believe me, somewhere out there is a horse you can't manage!
 
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Firstly I never said I was the second best rider in the world (I am a capable rider and have alot of experience owning/ riding a variety of horses etc and riding in a variety of disciplines but I certainly wouldnt say Im the best in the world I'm just the same as every other horsey person). It is not very nice assuming someone is uncapable when you do not know them!!!

Secondly I am just looking at other places to see what is out there, obviously I am not stupid enough to take on something I couldnt manage (I have seen that far too many times before!!!) and I have ridden a few ex-racers just never owned one, hence why Im having a look about.

Thirdly and foremost I am interested in giving a horse a second chance in life doing something different and giving them a caring and loving home, I think all horses/ animals deserve that. My current mare was a abandoned/ welfare case and it has taken time, patience and alot of work (ups and many downs) to get her where she is now. So dont be quick to judge someone!!!
 
I am judging you on the basis of your posting that you assume that there are people out there who want to get rid of horses, but you don't want to pay too much or get saddled with something you can't ride or train, and you don't want to go to your local re-habilitation centre either.
you are experienced enough to know that buying a horse is a bit of a lottery, and if you buy a TB out of racing, but without any sort of guarantee, or background report, it can soon turn from a poor wee beastie in to a great big monster!
As to your riding skills, I have no idea, all I can say is that the general standard of riding in the UK is such that a lot of people get in to a lot of trouble when they take on something which is too much for them, and no matter how good a rider you are there will be a horse that you cannot manage.
To sum up, you would be far better sourcing an ex-racehorse from someone who knows that horse than going to a sale, where people "get rid "
 
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Look I'm really not interested in an argument. I didnt mean it in a bad context either, perhaps I should have worded the thread better but from my first post you can tell I am interested in re-homing something and if anyone knows of anyone who re-homes ex-racers.

Never said I didnt want to pay too much, or not go to local re-hab centre. Just leaving my options open, like most sensible people do as I do not know that many places in the area who re-home ex-racers i.e. trainers etc, thats all. Sometimes its good to have a good look around first before you jump into something - agree?
 
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There are a few people on here who work at racing yards who may be able to help you, I'm sure they'll post when they see this. I personally don't like the idea of the rehab places as I like to own my horses out right. Although with Darley, you get the matching up and their support but you own the horse once you pay £100 + vat, although they're based in Cambridge so possibly too far for you. Exracers are great, I love them! I will agree they're not a novice ride and take a lot of time and patience! You can't just get one and bu**ar off on a hack, having a nice sedate canter along a grass track! But with time and patience, they're so rewarding and generally I'v found they're eager to please. All horses are different and just because they're an "exracer" they shouldn't all be branded the same, as hot headed, cheap to buy and neurotic idiots! I'v known some really laid back types!
At the end of the day, you do what you think is right, you've obviously got experience with them, just never owned one! I'm sure everyone with an exracer has been in that situation before!!! My first horse was an exracer (still got him now after 5 years) and he's my horse of a lifetime! I love him to bits! Yeah he's exceptionally quirky and very sharp but we've built up a lot of trust in each other and just click! A lot of people were against me getting him as not really suitable for a first horse was all they'd say! Never mind the fact I'd been riding for nearly 30 years, was in the kings troop etc!
If you think you've got the time, patience, can give him/her the routine they need, plus regular work and have instructors you can seek advice from, go for it! Oh, and the ability to ride very calm and relaxed!!!!!
 
Forgot to add, my boy was sold to a riding school (obviously no used to them!) from doncaster sales. He was bred at juddmonte, exceptionally good bloodlines, sire was zafonic and he won a fair few races. He was in flat racing for a few years at henry cecils yard, then went onto hurdles for a few years. Just goes to show, they can end up being sold on and end up anywhere!! Sometimes it's being in the right place at the right time! My boy was fate!
 
Thanks bumblelion, its good to know that you have had a good experience and are very positive about ex-racers and you are having fun with yours!!!

Your right though you never know where they can end up and quite frequently they can end up in the wrong places. I have had experience with them, so Im quite aware of what I'd be getting myself into possible things that could happen etc, but thats like with any horse (my mare is extremly hormonal and very tempermental - but I wouldnt change her for the world as we've come some a long way together).

Just want to give something that second chance and a home for life at the end of the day.
 
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I won't get into arguments of right and wrong of re-homing places, I'll simply answer your questions, OP :)
Majority of trainers are very honest about horses they have and want to ''get rid of'', and the ones that aren't honest you will soon hear about ;)
Time consuming, but rewarding option is go through The Directory of Turf (google it), get contact details of trainers in your travelling range and either ring/e-mail them or even drop by their yards - Sunday morning is normally owner's day at race yards and the trainers/staff will be around and accessible :)
I haven't been asked to leave a single yard, found the experience pleasant and made some great contacts :)
 
You could contact local trainers and ask them- often they'll have horses being taken out of training for various reasons, and not all of them are doom and gloom!

We got ours through word of mouth- he'd been turned away for nearly 2 years following breaking down (he did his front leg). After the 2 years off, he came back sound with really nice and clean legs. He has gone from a weedy thing to a huge great horse- his height hasn't changed, but he has grown enormously so if you're small it might be worth considering how big you're willing to go. Reg is 16.3hh ish, and his rider (my little sister, she was 15 when she started riding him so it can be done by someone less experienced- she'd only ridden ponies before him!) is 5'6.

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Her first time on him

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A few weeks ago!

He's eventing at PC intermediate (not doing BE until next year or potentially 2013, depending on what happens with her PC stuff as there are a lot of PC opens around us which are BE Novice level for about 1/4 of the price!) and is a superstar- we're hoping he will be one to watch one day, and her riding has improved so much.
 
Zimzim said:
Thanks bumblelion, its good to know that you have had a good experience and are very positive about ex-racers and you are having fun with yours!!!

Your right though you never know where they can end up and quite frequently they can end up in the wrong places. I have had experience with them, so Im quite aware of what I'd be getting myself into possible things that could happen etc, but thats like with any horse (my mare is extremly hormonal and very tempermental - but I wouldnt change her for the world as we've come some a long way together).

Just want to give something that second chance and a home for life at the end of the day.
Click to expand...

At the end of the day, you have to have fun with them, or what's the point! Especially with tb's ! Generally cheap to buy but expensive to keep!
 
Good luck with the hunt. I know many x racers that have made fab polo ponies, and riding horses. You sound experienced Enough and with the right contacts hopefully you will find a cracking little horse to bring on and have fun with, that is the point after all! Go for it and let us know how u get on
 
I bought mine straight from the trainer. They were so confident about his temperament that they said take him & try him & if you don't like him, bring him back!! That was nearly 3 years ago! He was 10 years old then and had been a chaser. I literally did just get on him & start hacking him and didn't actually make him do any 'work' for months. However, despite being the sweetest natured horse I have ever had the pleasure to own, he is also the sharpest!! He will canter beautifully on fields/tracks/stubble, but when he's having an over exhuberant moment, that's it, you're on the floor! It's only happened 3 times in 3 years, but at my age, it's 3 times too many! So far, I keep forgiving him, but I do worry that one day I won't! I'm not trying to put you off, as I reckon you are fully aware of the pitfalls of owning an ex-racer. I have been told though, that ex jumpers are easier to retrain than flat horses. I wouldn't know about that, as over the years I've had both, but my current boy is by far the most intelligent of them all. Try www.newbeginningshorses.org.uk Based in Yorkshire and completely & utterly dedicated and devoted to life after racing for TB's. May be worth getting in touch, if only for advice. Finally, do NOT buy an ex-racer from the sales. Any that have been good servants for owners & trainers will be found new homes by them, not through a sale ring. Good luck with your search. Please do keep us posted!
 
Thanks everyone for your posts. I will check out all of those places you have mentioned and its good to hear from those of you with ex-racers who are enjoying them and progressing into different areas.

I will keep you posted!!! :)
 
Hello, why dont you give Nicky Richards a call at Greystoke, Cumbria. He very often has horses that need a good knowledgable home. I have several friends that have horses from him. They have had their days racing and are young enough to be re-schooled for another disipline. Martin Todhunter at Orton is another option as I take it you are from this area. Good luck with your search, please do keep us informed if you find one!
 
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