Ex racehorses

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Achinghips

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Sorry if this question has been asked before. I am new to the forum and can't find a way to search threads

Has anybody taken an exracehorse on, do they ever calm and become trustworthy/safe (ie., not bolt when asked to canter or refuse to stop at a gallop) or does their early training effect them when they retire young to hacking homes?
 
The first tb I had I was told was an ex race horse but couldnt find anything about her and she was a bit of a nightmare to ride and lead. Swore I would never get another ex racer but.

The boy I have now who defo is an ex race horse and have had him for just over a year, last raced Nov 05, is the safest horse I have had, always stops when asked.

Due to a farrier problem this year couldnt ride him for 12 weeks and when got shoes on and rode him he was as calm as anything and would probably be safe with a complete novice on him, actually he is a bit of a plod really.
 
One of mine is an ex racer. He is the best behavied of all of mine, when any galloping, cantering, high jinks goes on at a show or out on a hack - he is sparky but easy to handle and stops with a mere half halt.

~Yesterday it was blowing a "hoolie" and i tacked him up (my other horse had managed to cut his leg rather badly) and rode him for the first time in 6 weeks (he had a bit of a Jump out of the field incident) - and i was waiting for a double check from the back lady on Thur, before i started to ride him. Unfortunatley i had a lesson booked and the instructor travels quite a bit to see me so i asked if we could have a very quiet, slow lesson working on my postion.

We had one tiny spook and spent the rest of the lesson perfecting out walk and getting him to lengthen and shorten. You would have thought he had been ridden for 2 hours a day for the last year - he was perfect.
 
Best horse I ever owned was an ex racer...yes he had a spook in him occasionally and had a second gear of Turbo in Gallop! but as soon as your backside hit the saddle he slowed down.

He was brave, competed in Dressage and jumping and used to hack out alone for hours, I even used to take my 6 year old nephew out for walks on him.

He is now 16 and acting as a schoolmaster to one of my friends daughters.
 
Some racehorses are never unsafe or untrustworthy, and are basically chilled and lazy. They are the ones we tend to find being rehomed, they are too damn slow to be good racehorses!
Don't typecast a certain breed, be aware of their individual traits and take each horse on its own merits. I teach at a school with several ex racers, one in the past won the Lincoln. Although there are plenty that can't get the racing out of their systems, there are far more delighted to be doing something different. Racehorses don't gallop about out of control, they are schooled to do so, and that schooling is a basic form of what we all do. Sometimes we have to change our ideas, the bit, or so many other factors but most ex racehorses will understand eventually.
Question is, if you are asking the question above, do you have the knowledge to take one on?
If you have a horse in mind try it fully, do the things you will do once he's yours, and go in with an open mind.
They can be very rewarding horses, and being able to research their past is a definate bonus!
 
Was going to ask something similar...apologies for minor hijack!! If you were to buy one from a local yard that have to clear out some fairly promptly what degree of trial is acceptable?
Is it a sold as seen or do you get to ride out a couple of times and go for a vetting?! Am sure this would vary from yard to yard but just wanted to know if it was a definite No No. Talking very cheap ones here!
Thanks.
 
I took on a racehorse at the begining of last year ( quite a chunky tb not a weed). I absolutly loved him he was sweet, genuine, caring, honest (ablit a little ticklish!) he was a very good boy. He retired from racing at the age of 7 and unfortunatly this summer suffered a suspensory ligament injury. I would always say get a 5 stage vetting if you go ahead as they are much more prone to injury after starting hard work at such a young age (i only have a 2) but if you can but up with a few moments of madness and have the patience to teach them what being a real horse is like then i would definatly avdise it
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nosey - I tried Rooney twice and they were very good about it took him in the school and out on the gallops. I guess every yard would differ - if the horse is genuine they will probably let you try it more often than if it is a little quirky. Personal experience.
Hope it helps
 
I think you also have to consider how long they have been out of racing.
Straight from the racing yard is a very different proposition to one that has been doing a different job for some time.
If they are straight out of racing as Duggan said they trained to gallop and they do need to learn a whole new set of commands, ways of riding etc. They may need turning away for a bit before you start working with them. If that is the case, then you have to ask yourself how much experience do you have with young horses? Are you confident and experienced enough to restart a horse from scratch?

Out of racing for several years and reschooled and adjusted to a different job, then I wouldn't considertheir past a major factor.

I ended up with something in between. Wasn't looking for an ex racer or even a TB.
Frankie had been out of training for about 9 months - long enough for him to readjust and to be taught the basics so although he was green, no different really to any other young horse.


He is of the too lazy to race variety but he does have his moments.
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Every ex-racer is different, i have one that is so laid back she is nearly horizontal, but in the other aspect i have another that as soon as your bum comes out the saddle she thinks it is time for the off.
As with all horses, everyone is different and has to be taken on their own merit, so just asses each horse as an individual
 
Mine is very chilled and easy to do, actually he can be a bit lazy, thats why he is an ex racehorse!! You do need to be aware that thoroughbreds can be a bit more high maintenance than some others but thats half the fun for me, I love being around him, just faffing. I bought mine already reschooled as I dont have the facilities or the confidence to do it myself. He is bombproof in traffic which is really important where I am, brilliant at gates, and is a doddle to load, clip and do anything with. I am no youngster and have had a long break from horses but Che is the most gentle loving little horse and I don't regret buying an exracer.
 
One of mine is an ex racer, he was far too slow to race. He is extremely laid back. The day I bought him I rode him in a very large open field (didn't try him in a field) and had a short schooling session he was foot perfect, I had to REALLY boot him into canter! He does have his moments as any horse does and still has plenty of sparkle and can be a 'typical' tb when the mood strikes.
My fiend has an ex racer (NH, mine was flat) and he is more your typical hot headed, flighty horse but I would trust him more than most. He is an utter super star even if he does get excited.
 
I took my 6yr old 'failure' out drag hunting last week first time ever, snaffle mouth, no martingale and just a cavesson noseband and she was a star. Big joggy to start with but nothing major. Watched her on attheraces.com racing and if it had been the 100 metres she'd of won every time out. She's like the horse in the weetabix advert when it says 'go on, i'll meet u at the end'. I didnt want a tb, ex racer or a mare but wouldnt swap her for the world.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry if this question has been asked before. I am new to the forum and can't find a way to search threads

Has anybody taken an exracehorse on, do they ever calm and become trustworthy/safe (ie., not bolt when asked to canter or refuse to stop at a gallop) or does their early training effect them when they retire young to hacking homes?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've had nine. They usually become calm and trustworthy. The mares are more likely not to than the geldings. (2 mares stayed very much "not novice" but all the geldings were fine).

Their lives are often shortened by their early work, especially if they raced as two year olds, meaning that they were broken at 18 months.

They usually need 4-6 months to "learn" to be horses, not machines. Some are a doddle straight away. Some need some really good riding and mental management to get them right. One or two are outright nutcases but you can spot those before you buy (Criminal Law, for example, threw some brilliant horses and some total psychos!)
 
I had an ex steeple chaser, who was a gent. And we have a number of ex racers on the yard - all of whom are just lovely.



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As said above, you can get all sorts when it comes to ex-racers. I've had 3 mares and 3 geldings. IME the geldings were VERY easy, quiet rides, and the mares a bit more sensitive/nervy. I've still got the nerviest of the lot 8 years later
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. None of them have been particularly difficult. I adore them.
 
I had one who was the most lazy chap ever, angelic to do everything with (they are handled so much as babies and load, clip, shoe etc.) with the sweetest nature. He was very accident-prone though, always injuring himself in the field and pullling shoes off!
 
Interestingly enough, research is pointing towards racing at younger ages actually trains the body to accept the work, and horses can stay sounder longer..... Of course, horses don't have problems due to racing at a certain age, they get problems because of wear and tear. A horse that ran 5 times at two, is in no more danger of problems than one that ran 5 times as a 5 year old. Further research may prove in the future that in fact starting them earlier actually helps. Racing a horse too much as a baby does of course carry a huge risk of stress fractures and joint problems.
Hence so many show ex racers that only raced once or twice, or only went in training for a month... they have had less work, less damage to the joints and ligaments, and less risk of blemishes.
As said before, do your research and take each horse on his own merits.
And i'd advise the 'average' person to buy an ex racer indirectly, once it has been restarted and sussed out a bit!
 
the boy in my sig is an ex racer-he hated it and wasnt very forward going when racing so dont know if that makes a difference but......he is the easiest lad ever in the school and i would put my granny/a toddler on him,but out hacking he is sharp-on the roads he is foot perfect and will canter up verges in front or behind but in open spaces he can be fine one minute then totally lose his brain. that could be nothing to do with being an ex racer and just him, but i suspect not. it doesnt bother me as i bought him to compete and can live with only doing very un-exciting hacking,but i wouldnt reccomend one if you are the sort who loves fast and furious hacking.
 
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