Buying an ex racehorse

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BigRed

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I am looking for a new horse. My last horse was a TB, but she had never raced. I have seen an advert on the HERO's website, but it is for sale rather than loan. The horse has raced once, in a Novice Hurdle in Feb this year. The people at HERO's have re schooled him. Does anyone have any experience of just what I can expect in terms of his level of schooling ? they say he is ultimately good enough to show or compete in dressage. I don't expect him to be a superstar yet, but I don't want to drive for 2 hours to find he is trotting around with his nose in the air...
 
Best to ask them i think. It depends on the horse. Hes only had 6 months of training from racing to be a riding horse so personally i wouldnt expect that much. Give them a ring/email and ask some more specific questions?
 
I did call them, but the lady seemed a little bit vague. I don't think the right person was there to be honest.
 
The best way is to "aquire" one...contact all the racing yards in your area, say if they have any going you will give them a fantastic home. Very often, they will rehome directly for free on assesment :)
 
R2R said:
The best way is to "aquire" one...contact all the racing yards in your area, say if they have any going you will give them a fantastic home. Very often, they will rehome directly for free on assesment :)
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Agree with above - I have two - both directly from the trainer. Trainers will also tell you the truth generally regarding temperament or at least the lass/lad riding them will! i wouldn't bother about whether their nose is poking in the air. i would rather the horse was able to establish regular paces with it's legs first before worrying about where it's head is. That will come with time and correct training - not by being forced into a shape for a quick sale.
If a trainer offers you one for free - be wary. Any trainer worth his salt will know whether it is worth £20 or £1500 to a riding home. I had involvement with one for "free" a couple of years ago. It was severely underweight, it's pelvis was out and when it put weight on it became dangerous. I would never touch a free one or one less than £1000 really....
 
Agree with above. I bought mine from a racing yard and they were very honest. Even the vet who vetted her was her vet and the owners agreed to share all vet history. She was fresh out of racing and came to me. She is 4 years old. 3 months on she hacks out alone and in company. Walks trots and canters and jumps a teeny little crosspole.

As far as head in the air, agree with above too. I have been working on establishing rhythmn and supplness. She does work quite nicely and definately doesn't go around with her head in the air. Time like with any horse will create the desired outline through correct training.

PM me if you want to know what I paid for her.
 
I to would say go to your local racing yards, there are always some going for free or very cheap. Other than than just keep your eyes open on the usual websites as there are plenty for sale pretty cheaply.

There is a guy in lancs who seems to have the odd few for sale - seems he either trains or races them himself I am not sure but he has had a couple of very nice looking ones on there previously.

Word of mouth aswell - let anyone you know horsey that you are looking and what you're looking for and more often than not someone knows of someone else who has what you're looking for!

good luck!
 
Why be so wary about a free horse? Some trainers would rather the horse went to someone than it be on a meat truck. I would obviously as myself some questions about the horse and get an opinion elsewhere. But I certainly would not pass on a horse because it is free.. Free to a good home..
 
R2R said:
The best way is to "aquire" one...contact all the racing yards in your area, say if they have any going you will give them a fantastic home. Very often, they will rehome directly for free on assesment :)
Click to expand...

Utterly agree, though i didn't know any better at the time but still got him and have a stunner. Definitely talk to the local yards - strangely smaller the better. There are some really nice people who run them, at least the ones i talked to and they are chuffed to bits when they get a good home for an ex-racer and I suppose yes they'd rather it went to a good home for free than the meat man for a few pence. Winners all round. Above all they are HONEST in just about every way about their horses. Not in their interest to talk them up cos it generally only backfires and Ex-racers have a bad enough rap already...
 
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My tb trained but never raced. She was from Ireland and sold for £600 (which i was told was alot for a TB in ireland) i bought her from a dealers yard and probably paid well over the odds for her!
But she is quiet, good in traffic she does have TB moments but is showing lots of potential with dressage, xc and sj!
 
One of my friends got an ex racer for free from an add on a forum (not this one) a yr or so on she does a bit of everything with her, riding club, sj, eventing etc so it can work.
 
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