Ex Race Horses

Well we have a racehorse who isnt very forwardgoing - so might just be that horse's temperament. With ours, it seems to stem from a lack of self confidence, she doesnt know what to do with herself when out in front, same for schooling in the arena (apart from Monday mornings when shes fresh).
Have you checkd, back, feet, teeth and tack etc?
Also, depending on what sort of racing she did (did she actually race?) and what sort of work she/he did in training, he may not be used to riding alone. How does he move on the lunge? in long reins? Use these aids to teach him to move forward firstly.
 
Hi its more like he cant be bothered he dose not hold back but just has no energy if you get my meaning...He was a flat racer and is only 8 he is the same on the lunge and what ever else he dose. I here all the stories of people saying forward theirs are and I have one that takes most of my time getting him to trot!!
 
I know a few exracers and the majority of them are lazy even a really successful one and as glenruby said it seems to just be their individual temperaments
 
thoroughbreds can be forward going, lazy or anywhere in between so it's not really abnormal unless he is off colour for some reason and it isnt normal for him.
Is he a good weight? Is his coat nice and shiney? Is he just dead to the leg because no-ones educated him to it?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi he did 45 races but he seems to quiet and not sure why??

[/ QUOTE ]

The problem is with something that has raced a lot is that sometimes they can be very broken spirited, and have no temperment left. His body is probably tired and sore after a lot of training and a gruelling lifestyle, hence the lack of forwardness.
Would just give him time, plenty of good quality grass and food, get him checked out by the vet and just do low pressure work for a bit

And apart from all of that, he may have just been born an idle person and it may just be the way he is!
 
I have one who is like this too. She is confident hacking out alone and is the same in company. Will happily walk while other horses canter past in open fields. I think it is just the way she is. She is now on loan and new owner is feeding her energy feeds to try and liven her up but its not working yet.
 
One of mine is so laid back he is horizontal, a real plod so don't worry so long as it's not a physical problem...it's prob just his nature. Not all ex racers are fruit loops!
smile.gif
 
My ex racer was lacking energy for about the first 4-5months we had him, once he settled into his new job he purked up a bit, he is still laid back but more willing now.
 
Definatly check the back- horses that race as 2 year olds have very poor underformed back muscles. So you need a saddle with a good surface area for the weight dispersment and a really good clearance of this back but please do not resort to putting numerous gel pads, risers etc under the saddle - get the saddle adjusted. Also get some one to check his pelvis alignment.

Also he could be quite sour as the racing buisness is very stessfull on the animals.

good luck
 
I have known plenty that are really laid back, maybe you just hear more about the ones that people have problems with. What sort of work are you doing with him? Maybe if you vary his work and do interesting and different things with him it might perk him up a bit.
 
I think the worsed ones get a lot of bad press and as with any type of horse they all have different attitudes. I've had 2, first one really laid back and had to work long and hard at getting him to move off from the leg and my current one is the opposite.

Try lots and lots of praise when he/she does move from your leg because as O_B says a lot are so disheartened and fed up of having to 'move' for a living that they resist to having to move at all!
 
We are on our 3rd ex-racer, and he's only out of training for 2 weeks so still quite lively (I think some of that "go faster" food may still be in his system.) The thing that the failures have in common is that they know they are failures (don't ask me how they know) and it's really important to get them to feel good about themselves, which comes with success. TBs generally don't believe in practising at home, and either mess about or are lazy unless doing something new. Once you can persuade them they are the bees knees they don't look back. At least that has been our experience.
 
Lol I have an 8 year old like that i have owned him for nearly 4 years - he has just been on 6 weeks box rest and needed to start controlled walking i got straight on him and walked him around the roads he was as good as gold no broncing or nothing but he was obviously glad to be out ! he is the laziest and most horizontal ride i have ever had - i have been riding TBs for over 20 years some just are built that way but he is not a plod by any means .
I would be interested to know What do your horses front legs look like though ?

Sharonxx
 
hi Sharon, his front legs are perfect I have seen a horse with such clean legs....I had the vet for him today as he has lost weight and looks awfull so I am now trying to put this back on him again..and it is difficult as he windsucks and apparently he is not able to have a collar as he was tubed for racing and still has a tiny hole...has anyone else had this?? xx
 
Hi all,

He had the vet today and he has lost weight, so now i am trying to put it back on him, he windsucks to so its difficult and also i am told he cannot where a collar as he was tubed for racing and still has a tiny hole...is there anyone one else that has had this?xx
confused.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top