Does This Mean What I Think It Does?

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MosMum

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So when Blue's owner brought him down to us yesterday, we got talking about the horses she has (20 or so, she trains race horses) and she mentioned a mare who hadn't turned out too well but was 'going to France'... is this a term used in the UK to mean what we call 'Going to the happy hunting ground'? She said in such a way that clearly indicated she wasn't going to be around much longer but its been nagging at my mind ever since!
 
well I think we can assume said horse is going to be pony pies quite soon. If she's sending it to France though poor form on her behalf. She can have it shot in England and save it the journey at least!

Might just be a turn of phrase for going to the meat man though.
 
That's what I was thinking at first I thought she just meant for sale but then I thought why send a race horse all the way to France, but thought perhaps they had a huge racing scene over there or something.

Sorry I'm pretty ignorant about cultural things like that, coming from the States.
 
jesstickle said:
well I think we can assume said horse is going to be pony pies quite soon. If she's sending it to France though poor form on her behalf. She can have it shot in England and save it the journey at least!
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Or she could attempt to find it a new home over here for another job! Yet another unscrupulous trainer/owner with only pound signs in their mind....
 
a lot of ex racers end up as meat. Over production is a bit of a problem in the industry unfortunately. Although as long as it is done humanely I am not especially anti.

I'm not massively keen on live export though, which also happens unfortunately often with ex racers.
 
Is it just me, I know horses are expensive, and before I had a TB, sowre I would never have one, but now I cant see me without one!!

Surely I am not the only one looking for a TB, why does it seem that TBs get such a hard deal in life?
 
Daisydo said:
Is it just me, I know horses are expensive, and before I had a TB, sowre I would never have one, but now I cant see me without one!!

Surely I am not the only one looking for a TB, why does it seem that TBs get such a hard deal in life?
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could be worse. could be a dartmoor hill pony!
 
Daisydo said:
Is it just me, I know horses are expensive, and before I had a TB, sowre I would never have one, but now I cant see me without one!!

Surely I am not the only one looking for a TB, why does it seem that TBs get such a hard deal in life?
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I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
 
Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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I am no great rider, I can ride, but no real talent. I think they come under the catorgarey, ' what is in it for me?' LOL,

So in a way they really are the babies of the world in that they need to have acarrot dangled.

Glad to know that I am not the only one that has found this. I took some convincing to have my TB boy, and as I said in my previous post cant see me without one now. Makes me soo sad, but also as a previous post said, our native breeds have it terrible as well.
 
PTS is often a good choice if the horse is quirky/difficult. At least when they are dead they will never be mistreated, underfed, badly shod, have a numpty novice owner who cant deal with and manner them., wormed, teeth/back done whatever. some tbs adapt well, some dont. for the ones that wont then pts is a responsible decision.
 
Holly Hocks said:
Or she could attempt to find it a new home over here for another job! Yet another unscrupulous trainer/owner with only pound signs in their mind....
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:eek: Jeez, how do you know? Nothing like condemning someone is there!:mad: I take it you know this particular person, or at least, know of her then! I suspect that I do know who it is.

The horse may well just be going to France, no hidden agendas.

If it is going for meat, well, its' troubles are over, I'm with Ofcourseyoucan on this, sometimes a bullet it isn't the worst option.
 
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Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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TB's get a hard deal because there are too many of them coming out of the racing industry compared to the demand for them. Simple as.

People can chose to have whatever kind of horse they want, or do you think everyone should stop breeding other types of horse so we can all give ex racers a home?

I've ridden plenty of race horses and ex race horses, I like them, I can ride them, I just prefer something a bit more chunky for hunting.

Doesn't sound great for the horse OP is talking about. :( I love racing but think this is the cruel side of it. :(

ETS - cruel side which the responsibility lies with the owners.
 
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I have a couple of ex-racers that i have re-trained and i have to say 3 of them a child could ride they are that safe and bomb proof, yet the other 3 i dont let anyone else ride as i know them and their quirks but would worry about anyone else riding them.
I am not saying i am the best rider in the world, just that they have their ways and if you did not understand them, you would be in the next county before you knew what had happened.
I never wanted a tb, but have ended up with a few for breeding purposes, and now i could not see myself without one
 
Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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Gosh, you really don't think much of some people do you? :(

Tb's are like arabians really, marmite, some like them, some don't for many reasons other than the ability to ride or handle them. Each to their own:)
I don't choose to own thoroughbreds, although I'd chew my arm off to have a Guaranteed Gold filly for breeding.
 
Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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Come on that's a bit harsh! The problem, as someone else said is not because people don't want them it is in the overbreeding and wastage of these Devine creatures! Whilst I don't necessarily think they would be suitable for a novice there are exceptions, to call people slow for not enjoying sharpness is quite strange! I say all this as the very very proud owner of an ex racer and always will be (however never under 16hh and with good bone as shock horror I am a size 14)
 
I've heard the phrase "Will end up on a Frenchmans dinner table" but I don't think it means literally going to France, more destined for the abbatior. Sad but it happens all the time
 
Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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What a load of utter tripe. There are too mant TB's coming out of racing as there are suitable homes that's the simple fact. I like them but choose not to have them anymore due to them being high maintenance when compared to outcrosses or native breeds. I am not overweight so they can carry me but I ride as a wind down after work and I see no pleasure in getting on a fresh TB and bouncing around the road when I can have my steady dependable welsh cross - who is not boring BTW. They often, but not all the time, cost a bomb to keep through the winter so in this economic climate there's very little demand for them. They are bred to perform at the end of the day and I would rather see the excess shot humanly than end up with numpty owners who can't look after them properly - Or a good overhaul of the racing industry, but god knows where to start with that!
 
Im looking for a TB for loan/sale at the min and would love an ex racer, however i went to one of the tb rehoming centres, felt like i was doing something nice for a poor horse that would otherwise be shot, until i got there and they told me that i would have to pay£1500 for the horse (as a donation to the charity) and £35 every month afterwards until the horse dies.

This really upset me, as that £35 would cover 4 lessons a month with my instructor (great prices!!) and as far as im aware im getting a horse on loan, that im paying a killing for!! Id rather buy one for a similar price and the horse be mine, rather than having someone come and check up on me every couple of months. Id still get to have my lessons too....

Dont get me wrong, these charities are doing a GREAT job and i love the fact that so many horses arent pts because of them BUT i think so many more tbs would be saved if you get one and NOT have to pay so much money per month, or such a lot of money to loan. Tbs usually go for pretty cheap anyway....

If anyone knows of a rehoming center where you can donate but not practically pay for the horse and more (imagine if the horse was young!!!!), please let me know!!!
 
As long as it gets the bullet over here then I have no issue what so ever with killing them. I love TBs but they're not everyone's first choice and I'd rather see ex racers humanely destroyed than going to some numpty to be passed from pillar to post.

However, if it's literally being sent to France as live export that is a completely different matter. I think I may not have explained myself very well!
 
Samantha008 said:
Im looking for a TB for loan/sale at the min and would love an ex racer, however i went to one of the tb rehoming centres, felt like i was doing something nice for a poor horse that would otherwise be shot, until i got there and they told me that i would have to pay£1500 for the horse (as a donation to the charity) and £35 every month afterwards until the horse dies.

This really upset me, as that £35 would cover 4 lessons a month with my instructor (great prices!!) and as far as im aware im getting a horse on loan, that im paying a killing for!! Id rather buy one for a similar price and the horse be mine, rather than having someone come and check up on me every couple of months. Id still get to have my lessons too....

Dont get me wrong, these charities are doing a GREAT job and i love the fact that so many horses arent pts because of them BUT i think so many more tbs would be saved if you get one and NOT have to pay so much money per month, or such a lot of money to loan. Tbs usually go for pretty cheap anyway....

If anyone knows of a rehoming center where you can donate but not practically pay for the horse and more (imagine if the horse was young!!!!), please let me know!!!
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Darley rehoming charge £100 after 6 months loan. They're really very good indeed. Give them a try!
 
Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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TB owner are we? :rolleyes:
 
Holly Hocks said:
I totally agree, however TBs get a hard deal from those who don't understand them. The overweight say they don't like them - that's because they know they aren't slim enough to ride them. Kack-handed riders don't like them because TB's can't be pulled around and socked in the mouth, learner riders just - well - just don't. It's only the select riders who understand them and are prepared to deal with their idiosyncrasies and turn them into fantastic horses. TBs are really intelligent and I think their quickness can frighten people who are a bit slow on the uptake. LOL!!
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Way to deal a backhand insult to everyone who doesn't like Tbs, eh? You're all either overweight, kack handed, a learner or slow on the uptake :rolleyes:

Tinkerbee, its not the TBs I dislike, but I find their owners think they are a cut above everyone else! :p :p :p

Samantha008, if you want to put the work in yourself, you can just buy straight from the TB sales, thus saving your pennies for the cost of his/her rehab. Or just start talking to people, see if you can get a connection into someone's yard who just needs to get rid of a non-performer.
 
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I only have TBs and I don't think I'm better than anyone.

Horses for courses. I'm often very envious of people on my yards natives and cobs when mine are being a pain or eating me out of house and home!

My filly is a dope on a rope anyway. It's non sense that they're all bonkers high maintenance creatures!
 
Too many are bred only a small % do well on the track. So what to do with the "waste"? Shoot it or sell it. Hard facts. Harsh economics. I detest the racing industry. And dont get me started on racing 2 year olds.........................................
 
Naturally said:
Mine was a tongue in cheek comment re: Holly Hocks' nice words. ;)
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I know. I just didn't want to be lumped in with that statement and that sort of TB owner :o

I think it's people like that who contribute to the downfall of TBs in honesty. They are not any more complicated than any other type of horse and people who keep on banging on about it are the most guilty of putting people off the breed.

I've known lots of them (used to work in the industry) and they're just horses. Anyone can ride a TB. It just depends on which TB it is. You get sharp ones, scatty ones and nappy ones but you also get some which are quieter than any cob. Maybe not anyone can ride one straight of the track but providing it is re-schooled properly most of them will make reasonably straight forward riding horses. To perpetrate the myth that that are tricky just means more end up with the meat man (I'll say again that I don't have a problem with that though)

Sorry to rant but it really gets my goat!
 
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