buying an ex race horse

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SAL66

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The horse that I was going to buy has failed his vetting, so back on the hunt, I have come across an ad for a lovely looking mare who was an ex racer now been perfessionally (sp) schooled and does look great.
Now don't shoot me down in flames cos I am totally ignorant in these type of horses and would normally stay clear of ex racers as I assume that they would come with problems or be highly strung, but she looks lovely .
What are people's experiences in buying ex racers good or bad and hopefuly I shall be less ignorant in the future.
 
No reason why it shouldn't be a nice horse. Worth going to have a look anyway. We've got one and he's really easy and doesn't have any problems, although obviously TB's can be sharp and some are nutters! Same can be said about all breeds though.

How much is it for sale for? Don't pay too much for her, you can pick ex racers up for nest to nothing.
 
she is 11 years old and now does dressage and the asking price is 3750 I'll look at the advert to see if it says anything else.
 
Agree with BB2 - there are some lovely ex-racers around. Depends on your experience as well though as TB's tend to be sharp. Can't hurt to go and have a look
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Professionally re-schooled 11 yr ex-race TB.

3 excellent paces, careful jump and bold XC.
Competed non and affiliated dressage, SJ and 1 day events.

Extremely well mannered to handle and ride. Kind loving temp.
Hacks alone and in company.

Suit teenager/adult



£3,750

Blisworth, Northamptonshire

The ad is on equine world.

I have been riding for more years than I care to remember and have horse of my own I am returning to horse since having children so a little rusty but will be having lessons on any horse that I buy and have been doing so weekly for the last 4 months so just brush up and I feel that this has been going well .

I just want one of my own and its sooo hard to find the right one.
 
I wouldnt be put off at all (but that is quite obvious as I have one!) They can be lovely horses, it just depends how well it has been reschooled, just because it has raced doesnt mean it is some nutty loonatic, it is a horse just like anything else, ex racehorses can be NORMAL! If I ever sell Sunny, she will be sold just the same as any horse and I would hope that no one would be put off just because she has raced in the past. So I would say go and look at it, treat it like a horse and make a decision just like you normally would! Good luck!
 
We have an ex racer and he is the most laid back horse. He is a lovely boy and just goes to sleep when you groom him, tack him up etc. He is not spooked by anything and is just a lovely boy.
 
I have an ex-racer (bought from Doncaster Sales last year) - he is a sweetie. Not sharp at all, perfect manners and by far the easiest of my horses to ride.

Like any breed, there are good ones and bad ones - don't dismiss this horse just because it is an ex-racer.

On the point about price, it is definitely possible to buy one really cheap. However if you want a quality, sound horse that has been professionally schooled you should expect to pay a reasonable price.

The price on that advert looks sensible to me.
 
I've got a 16yro ex-racehorse that I helped retrain (as a 7yro) and then finally bought 4 years ago. I used to do a lot of work with them about 9-10 years ago.

I've found that generally they are very kind loving horses due to being around people so much. They do have quirks and for some touching grass is an invitation to gallop although I've found this is easily corrected by calm sensible training. Some have highly sensitive mouths from being hauled about too much and you have to look out for wear and tear on legs and joints from being worked hard from a young age. They certainly can be physically fragile and do not have as good a life-expectancy as a normal horse. My horse has cronic arthritis of the neck.

BUT on the upside, I adore my boy, he's kind, willing, adaptable and a really high-class horse for the money. He'll canter anywhere in a group and even 16yrs we're descovering a whole new world of dressage now he can't jump any more. You'll find that quite a few eventing people have ex-racers (Zara Phillips being one I think...?) and they are capable of reaching a very high level.

The sharp thing varies from horse to horse but I found the trick with him is to manage his feeding - my theory is that they are so stuffed of high energy feeds when they're in training they become intollerant to them - My horse is on a barley-free diet and is brilliant (one wiff of it though and he goes hyper!)

If the mare passes the vet and doesn't have any major health issues, there is no reason why she can't be as lovely a riding horse as any other.

Good luck!
 
Have an ex racer and she is lovely, yes came with her problems (weaves, windstucks), but these are not causing me any problems, she is sharpe, but I have had some really lovely days hunting on her and she is a very loving horse. Also didn't pay alot for her.... All I would say is go and have a look at her, try and get as much info about her as you can.............Good Luck
 
Thanks SillyMare, I really want a horse that I can have fun on straight away, so really would like one that has been schooled and is ready to go, I will ring up about her and arrange to see her, thank you for your comments, I have had a lot of arabs in the past and with this type of horse you either love them or hate them.... I love them !!!!
 
BB2, yes there are pics on the equine world website search for horse for sale , county Northamptonshire advert ref 5113, i think there's only 4 horses there so she is easy to find, sorry tried to copy them over but a warning of copyright flashed up and I still can't copy the link over no matter how hard I try, but I'll have another go.
 
I too was wary of buying an ex-racehorse, but it's the best thing I ever did. I bought mine in April and he's only just 4, but is the calmest most gentlemanly horse you could hope to meet. He hacks out on the buckle, even grass stretches it doesn't occur to him to dash off, he comes back from a fast canter with ease and seems to have decent brakes so far. Very willing and trainable. An angel in the stable, really I cannot fault him (except he's very skinny and not a good do-er).

Don't write off ex-racehorses. Yes, some will be sharp and flighty, but I know plenty of warmbloods that are downright dangers. Try it, and if possible get someone to go with you who knows your riding ability - they'll help you with your decision.

Good luck finding your dream horse! They are out there, honest
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Go and have a look and see and try..... that is the only way you will know.

Both my ex-racers are the most loving and down to earth horses that I could ever wish for, and like any horse they have their moments.

The only thing I would say that ever differentiates them form any other horse is that they have a 5th gear.
 
Thanks Carthorse, I must admit its been a nightmare trying to find my horse, I've even thought about giving up I've had sooo many disappointments, but I keep going.
 
she looks lovely. i too have one he is sharp but very willing and i love him to bits. never rubs off or is naughty just very intelligent. good luck
 
I have owned/loaned/ridden about 10 ish ex racers and all are completly different! Some stereo typical, some not. Worth a try - personally wouldn't get anythig else!
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lol But thats my preferance (sp?)
 
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