Ex race horse

[Kelly.89]

There's a possibility i might be purchasing an ex race horse. He's 9 been out of racing for 4 years only raced as a 5 year old. By the sounds of it he has been very very slowly retrained these past two years. Nothing done much after racing. I've owned horses previously for 10 years but never a TB. I feel that perhaps he hasn't had the opportunity for 'downtime' and unsure if I purchase him whether to continue with his training or turn him away until next year. Like with a baby you break them in turn them away and let them digest what's happened (the being rode for the first time) and start again after 6 months. He seems perfect on the ground really lovely mannered and excellent for everything...in riding hr has prospects for jumping and dressage but feel he still thinks and looks race horse like.

 

[be positive]

I think having had 4 years off, only racing as a 5 year old anyway, should have given him plenty of down time, I would crack on and get him working now before he gets any older, he is probably just green and still rather unsure which turning away will not help, getting him into some sensible consistent work will be more use even if you still take things slowly by next year he should be more than ready to get on with life.
I have an ex racehorse here who raced successfully until he was 10, he did have almost 12 months off and then came back to work slowly as if he was a "normal" horse, he has started competing in various activities and today completed his first ODE going clear sj and xc apart from not going into the water straight away, this is the one issue left to resolve as he does not like getting his feet wet.

 

[Goldenstar]

After Four years away from racing turning him away is not necessary it can be useful when they first come out of training but will do no good now .
Just consistently work him towards what you want to with him.