Ex racehorse into a riding horse

tashcat

tashcat

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An opportunity has come up to take on a tb ex racehorse gelding.

Seems like a very sweet and gentle but sensitive chap. He's been out of racing I think around a year, maybe more. Been turned out and ridden, lunged and long reined lightly since. Since the beginning of the month he's been brought back into regular work.

I guess I'm asking for opinions and advice. I'm quite excited at the idea; I lost my old boy at the beginning of December and I miss him so much. I've been trying to hunt for a horse to no avail, and not even really lovely horses seemed remotely exciting - I think I'm trying to find my old boy in adverts which was never going to end well. Certainly this tb is something different! And I like the idea that he's almost fell into my lap.

So far he's come across as like a big pet dog - he follows you around. He is also quite docile, but that could change as he works more and gets a hang of hard food!

My original checklist would be something that can do a bit of low level everything (or I guess the potential to do so) - including jumping and fun rides. Hacking is really important, but my old boy was a spooky and nappy munchkin (known for getting half way round and legging it home :p ) so I'm not looking for a hacking plod and certainly happy to deal with a challenge! I always said I wanted something with a spark - I think I'd be getting that!

I am aware I will need help, but I think this is the sort of challenge I need to get back into horses and to move on from my old boy. He certainly isn't a total project, but will be a learning curve for someone who had the same pony for 12 years!

So does anyone have experiences on turning ex racehorses into riding horses? Any advice? Many thanks!
 
The biggest piece of advice you could ever get with a racer is - Don't treat them like idiots! They are far from it! They are quick learners who really can turn their hoof to anything. I'd go for it. You sound as though you are going in with both eyes open knowing that your going to need some help along the way - that's the best way to be!

I use any excuse to show of my Gray lad :P Blown tendon to show horse! He isn't allowed to jump much but before his injury he could jump 1.40m spreads in a school the size of a tennis court with room to spare!

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Some horses are naturally quiet, but if this horse has been in training then he will think that shortened reins and leaning forward means "go."

I haven't ever had an ex racehorse, but most of mine until the present one were nearly TB. I would say a) get advice and preferably lessons from someone who does re-school racehorses, so you can avoid pitfalls and hopefully prevent problems occurring and have a plan and aim and b) feed him forage unless you really HAVE to feed hard food. You could look into the Simple System feeds that seem to particularly suit the TB or Arab types.

I always remember Mark Philips writing that he liked to buy racehorses that have been in training as they have been out and about and seen lots of different sights and sounds and hopefully they will have been correctly handled from birth.
 
EKW - he's lovely! Thank you for the advice :)

LPL - read your post last night and wow! You two look like a wonderful team and I really enjoyed seeing how much you'd progressed! Made me itching to start!

Oranghorse - thank you, all important things to consider! Sadly I think hard feed is a must - he's coming to a yard where they all get fed at the same time morning and night, and I wouldn't want him to be stressed as the only one without feed. I also understand routine is important so want to keep him in that. Will check out Simple Systems, thank you :)
 
I have had 4 ex racers - 3 straight from trainers/owners. All were different in temperament and abilities but all were the most delightful personalities, sweet, sensitive, good mannered and as has been said - been out and about since v young so good to travel and in traffic. One got to HOYS as show hack, one show jumped, one was a brilliant hunter and one was.....well he's a lovely person! Things you need to bear in mind with any TBs - they tend to damage easily so vet/farrier's costs can mount up. They also need more rugs/feed. Bit like buying on hire purchase - small initial cost but high repayments! Retraining x-racers can depend on why they are 'ex' i.e. lack of motivation, injury, not fast enough, too old. Best thing is to treat them like any other new horse - bear in mind what they have and haven't done previously e.g. hacked out alone, worked in school, left in yard alone, turned out with others. They gradually accustom them what you need them to do. They are usually quick learners!
 
tashcat said:
EKW - he's lovely! Thank you for the advice :)

LPL - read your post last night and wow! You two look like a wonderful team and I really enjoyed seeing how much you'd progressed! Made me itching to start!

Oranghorse - thank you, all important things to consider! Sadly I think hard feed is a must - he's coming to a yard where they all get fed at the same time morning and night, and I wouldn't want him to be stressed as the only one without feed. I also understand routine is important so want to keep him in that. Will check out Simple Systems, thank you :)
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He can have forage feed in a bucket, I don't mean leave him without feed when they all get a bucket, but he could have chaff or whatever with mineral and vitamins, just not oats/nuts/mixes until you know what you are dealing with temperament wise. Horses can do a lot of work with just forage, you aren't trying to win a race!
 
Dont get it into your head that he's different somehow because he's 'an ex-racer' an 'OTT TB' or whatever label people put on these lovely horses. I have had several, and worked with many. Above all he is a HORSE, and all horses are different. Treat him like you would a normal horse.
Consistent boundaries, kind but firm treatment. TBs are clever and sensitive, they dont like to be bullied into something, and may resist. Show them things calmly and patiently so they understand them and they will try their utmost best to please you. No heavy handed kick bash yank riding, just firm,patient kind handling, be sensitive, but persistant with them. Show and teach, don't force and bully.
 
stormox said:
Dont get it into your head that he's different somehow because he's 'an ex-racer' an 'OTT TB' or whatever label people put on these lovely horses. I have had several, and worked with many. Above all he is a HORSE, and all horses are different. Treat him like you would a normal horse.
Consistent boundaries, kind but firm treatment. TBs are clever and sensitive, they dont like to be bullied into something, and may resist. Show them things calmly and patiently so they understand them and they will try their utmost best to please you. No heavy handed kick bash yank riding, just firm,patient kind handling, be sensitive, but persistant with them. Show and teach, don't force and bully.
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All above is good advice but I like this from stormox and exactly sums up how I feel after a year with my young ex-racer. Bullying and forcing gets me precisely nowhere (not that that is my preferred training method anyway but in desperation tried to be forceful a few times. Bad move!). My mare went through a serious anxious patch after initially seeming to settle well after coming straight from the track, patience, patience and more patience and we're finally seeing progress. Not all will be anxious, but regardless I think quiet, firm but kind handling is the way forward with these horses. It helps that my mare is a total sweetheart so even when I was pulling my hair out she was still lovable!

EKW, your horse is beautiful.

I would go for it, he sounds like a sensible sort and you seem aware of what to expect and are willing to get help if needed. They're not for everyone but I love thoroughbreds.
 
I wouldn't agree that they are walking vets bills. My Gray lad came home with a ruptured tendon so yes he had an initial scan but the bandaging I did myself. He hasn't been scanned since. In the 5?! Years I've had him he only sees the vet to get his teeth done. He doesn't wear shoes all winter and only wears fronts when showing. His feet are hard as nails! Never had a bother with them since he left training. He had god awful feet when he raced, massive cracks that were stapled together!
 
I've owned my ex racer for almost 7 years and i've learnt so much. He's a gem to hack on roads and not alot phases him except the odd squished poo or wheelie bin with flowers on!! Off road is abit livelier. Training wise they are smart animals and ive found variety works well. Mine loves jumping but due to bad hock and me not liking it that much he doesnt do it that much. You will find they need feed and rugs if a poor doer type and mine is front shod. Everyone on my yards loves him and he is not the stereotypical tb in fact he can be very lazy!! There may also be the chance of racing injuries. Mine is 19 and has a bad hock, arthritus and has been pin fired around his hind fetlock (raced in france). You sound like you know what you're doing so i would say go for it they are an amazing breed that will turn a hoof to anything!!
 
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