Ex racer expertise required

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quiteniceforacob

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I may be finding myself looking for another horse soon and budget will be low. Given this, people are pointing me in the direction of ex racers, but I know it's very easy to inherit a lot of problems (which I'd rather avoid).

I've seen many tips of the years but can't remember them all...should I be looking for young and only raced once, or raced until 8? I'd like to showjump so what kind of stamp would be best?

X-ray before buying?

Thank you all!
 
What you save in upfront cost you'll pay twice over for maintenance. Get insurance - anyone who has an ex racer without it is mad. Whatever you get will highly likely have problems, either in the way of being extremely accident prone, or musculoskeletal issues. If you have the budget, do x rays of back and neck at the very minimum. Hocks I'm more lenient with as there is a relatively cheap treatment option.

Be prepared to spent an absolute fortune in hay!

All this being said, ex racers are my kryptonite and I love them.
 
Id look for those who've raced a handful of times and retired sound because they were just too slow. If they can cope with the training/travelling/racing environment, have seen a bit of life and have (genuinely!) stayed sound and sane, you are stacking the odds in your favour (and a slow racehorse still feels fast enough)!
 
I am probably one of the luckiest owners when it comes to TBs. Yes, I lost BB to colic and eventually it cost me £10k in vet fees but he didnt have any issues in the whole 9 years I had him. He had one abscess, one cut from a fence and that was it.
I have now got a young french tb and he is doing amazing too.
 
IrishMilo said:
What you save in upfront cost you'll pay twice over for maintenance. Get insurance - anyone who has an ex racer without it is mad. Whatever you get will highly likely have problems, either in the way of being extremely accident prone, or musculoskeletal issues. If you have the budget, do x rays of back and neck at the very minimum. Hocks I'm more lenient with as there is a relatively cheap treatment option.

Be prepared to spent an absolute fortune in hay!

All this being said, ex racers are my kryptonite and I love them.
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Goodness, that’s a very negative viewpoint!
I’ve had several ex-racers and all have lived out very happily and healthily. My current one is tough as old boots, has cost me very little to keep (no hard feed, only the same amount of Haylage in the winter months as the fat warmblood), doesn’t wear much in the way of rugs and has only had one vet bill in 2 years when the idiot warmblood stood on him and took a chunk out of his pastern.

As for the best type to buy, generally people prefer flat horses to make into a jumping horse because they don’t learn to jump long and flat like they do over hurdles. I prefer them to have not raced at 2, or at least not too often, and to not have any significant gaps in their racing history. I don’t think it matters too much how long they raced and what age you get them because that’s related to talent on the racetrack. A horse that has raced more has proven soundness but also more likely to heave wear and tear. I prefer mine to come from a yard where I know they hack out and get turned out. And pick one with excellent confirmation and good feet. That’s the biggest thing for me.
 
It would seem that I was very lucky with my ex racer, never had a day lame ( until she broke her femur in the field and was pts at 18), 1 bout of colic and after treatment from a chiro was the kindest, most honest mare ever to train. She had done hurdles, raced 3 times and just not good enough, I bought her as a 6 year old, 6 months out of training and nothing done with her. Didn't get any more hay than the other non natives on the yard and just absolutely my horse of a lifetime.
 
I did have issues with mine but if I’m honest I knew he wasn’t right the first time I sat on him.

He very much go’s against the TB stereotype though.
He now lives out and my main worry is that he’s too warm rugged! He’s not been fed in weeks and even in work cost very little to keep feed wise. They are not all prone to being hat racks!
 
I agree with the hat rack comment, mine didn’t take a lot to feed although he did have a soya allergy which was just avoiding that.
Otherwise unlimited hay and a hard feed if they need it.
You will soon get to gauge just what they need. ☺️ they are the most loving and loyal horses. Once you have their heart, its there forever.

You could buy a £15k horse and have issues immediately or in the same token, you could buy A £2k one and have none.
 
TheMule said:
As for the best type to buy, generally people prefer flat horses to make into a jumping horse because they don’t learn to jump long and flat like they do over hurdles. I prefer them to have not raced at 2, or at least not too often, and to not have any significant gaps in their racing history. I don’t think it matters too much how long they raced and what age you get them because that’s related to talent on the racetrack. A horse that has raced more has proven soundness but also more likely to heave wear and tear. I prefer mine to come from a yard where I know they hack out and get turned out. And pick one with excellent confirmation and good feet. That’s the biggest thing for me.
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Totally agree with the above although both mine raced as 2 year olds. I had a jump horse years ago and she struggled to adapt her shape to show jumping though through sheer spirit jumped Foxhunter and above. If there was a short striding double or treble we would struggle (she once one strided a two stride double in a big class which was an eyes shut moment) but she was fast! That said a lot of the jump yards nowadays do more show jump style training with their jump horses - Laura Collett goes to at least one yard if not more for example to school their horses. It is difficult to generalise as they are all individuals but the only breed for me. There are a number of really good rehomers and you may well find one who has already done some jump schooling or even competing and ready to go on.
 
I think I would sound out the re-homing places who will be able to give you plenty of background on the horse and help you find just what you are looking for. That said, I didn't and missed all sorts of problems so I am older and wiser now!! I have heard it said that if you can find a chaser who has retired sound (for whatever reason) then they can be less likely to have so many problems as they may well have been started later and not stressed so much during the growing years.
 
TheMule said:
Goodness, that’s a very negative viewpoint!
I’ve had several ex-racers and all have lived out very happily and healthily. My current one is tough as old boots, has cost me very little to keep (no hard feed, only the same amount of Haylage in the winter months as the fat warmblood), doesn’t wear much in the way of rugs and has only had one vet bill in 2 years when the idiot warmblood stood on him and took a chunk out of his pastern.
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Hmm, I wouldn't say negative, just realistic. Don't get me wrong, I think they're the most loyal, forgiving and willing horses going - but my own experience of owning, being on a yard half full of them, and living and working on a race yard for a year has really opened my eyes to just how complex they can be.
 
I agree with IrishMilo - they've done intense work as youngsters and their joints will suffer. I would also only purchase from a reputable place - solway racehorses are great and Katianna Naylor & Sophie Spireli have good reputations (although are shockingly bad at responding to any messages / voice mails left)

You also need to decide if a flat or jump horse would suit you... they are very different to retrain IMHO I reschooled exracers for years before I moved onto other breeds as it's hard work undoing all their education regarding riding and acceptance of the rein / bit etc only for them to go lame. Good luck with your search. They are a beautiful breed but can be walking vet bills.
 
Good to have those recommendations as have seen horses from them pop up and look great.

I think I will either need an ex racer or something unbacked, and I don't know which of those is more difficult! But I will speak to a few and find out how open they are with vet histories etc
 
quiteniceforacob said:
Good to have those recommendations as have seen horses from them pop up and look great.

I think I will either need an ex racer or something unbacked, and I don't know which of those is more difficult! But I will speak to a few and find out how open they are with vet histories etc
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I can recommend solway racehorses , always get a good horse from him
 
I've just had to retire my exracer at 9 with arthritis of the hocks that didn't respond to injections and suspected arthritis else where.
I was looking for another as I love TBs but all the ones I viewed were lame, or in one case seriously gone in the wind and it just became so depressing (and made me so angry about what has been done to these poor horses to be buggered at 4-6yro).

So I've bought an unbroken 3yr old heinze 57 who will either be an amazing horse or a project I sell in a few years if he doesn't grow enough.
 
Mrs G said:
Id look for those who've raced a handful of times and retired sound because they were just too slow. If they can cope with the training/travelling/racing environment, have seen a bit of life and have (genuinely!) stayed sound and sane, you are stacking the odds in your favour (and a slow racehorse still feels fast enough)!
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We have one of these! Retired as too slow but sound. He’s a fantastic horse I feel very lucky to have him! He’s only 6 though…he’s such a plod you’d not think he was once a racehorse 😂
 
Trouper said:
I think I would sound out the re-homing places who will be able to give you plenty of background on the horse and help you find just what you are looking for. That said, I didn't and missed all sorts of problems so I am older and wiser now!! I have heard it said that if you can find a chaser who has retired sound (for whatever reason) then they can be less likely to have so many problems as they may well have been started later and not stressed so much during the growing years.
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Sophie Spiteri in Wales has some super ones, I know a few people who have bought from her and they have been really great horses https://www.facebook.com/sophie.spiteri.94

She tries to match the horse to the rider and they aren’t silly money either x
 
Sorry to jump on your post OP. How do people (those with ex racer knowledge) feel about about rehoming horse that is 8 this year, has ran 56 times and a successful flat horse.

Retired sound and had 9 months in the field at the trainers, barefoot with good feet. Trainer is being honest about everything and has said she'd be free to a good home, providing it was long term. Mare is very well put together, sweet and affectionate.
 
Hormonal Filly said:
Sorry to jump on your post OP. How do people (those with ex racer knowledge) feel about about rehoming horse that is 8 this year, has ran 56 times and a successful flat horse.

Retired sound and had 9 months in the field at the trainers, barefoot with good feet. Trainer is being honest about everything and has said she'd be free to a good home, providing it was long term. Mare is very well put together, sweet and affectionate.
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What sort of things would you be wanting to do with her? Others might feel differently but if I liked the horse in front of me and she moves well, has good posture and is a nice person then I wouldn't be put off. I would expect her to be able to pass a vetting (although can accept that if she's out of work then a five stage wouldn't be possible). Having had 9 months off would also be a plus, have they said why they have kept her for 9 months rather than rehoming her straight away?
 
Hormonal Filly said:
Sorry to jump on your post OP. How do people (those with ex racer knowledge) feel about about rehoming horse that is 8 this year, has ran 56 times and a successful flat horse.

Retired sound and had 9 months in the field at the trainers, barefoot with good feet. Trainer is being honest about everything and has said she'd be free to a good home, providing it was long term. Mare is very well put together, sweet and affectionate.
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I would have no issue with that at all, I happily bought BB he raced more than that and had a successful career 🥰 and was 7 years old.

I would be extremely proud to be giving her a home. She sounds like she has had good downtime
 
There are plenty of well raced former racehorses doing well so all done to the individual horse rather than what she has done. Definitely age and the amount of racing wouldn’t worry me. You could perhaps look at the race record to see if there’s any big gaps which might have indicate a problem. That said mine had quite long gaps between some of his races mainly because he was a summer grass horse rather than all weather.
 
To me the biggest question is as Squeak said - why 9 months off and try to rehome now??? Is she back in work and sound now? But if she's free to a good home, and you like her, she's worth a punt. But she could end up being an money pit or being retired / PTS - can you cope with that? Buying the horse is irrelevant when it comes to their cost! I don't mind the number of races - it's the time off which worries me.

BUT all negativity aside - if she is sound, then she's a tough, not so old, campaigner who should do you well for many years, she will have a wise . experienced head on her shoulders, and will repay your love in spades :)
 
Hormonal Filly said:
Sorry to jump on your post OP. How do people (those with ex racer knowledge) feel about about rehoming horse that is 8 this year, has ran 56 times and a successful flat horse.

Retired sound and had 9 months in the field at the trainers, barefoot with good feet. Trainer is being honest about everything and has said she'd be free to a good home, providing it was long term. Mare is very well put together, sweet and affectionate.
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If I was looking, I'd probably have her on description alone. But I also bought a definitely wonky, long-pasterned ginger mare last year. She ran seven times on the flat and was absolutely hopeless. She is very sweet and a sensible hack, so even if she isn't up to doing too much, she's a nice horse for light hacking, and fun to have around.

Very cheap, straight out of training. Didn't vet, as I'll keep her even if she has to retire early. But she might not. I lost a lovely seven-year-old cob to a broken leg in the field, so you never know what can happen with any horse.

Also...... Not insured for vet bills :oops:
 
I agree with Cragrat, if she retired sound and no suspicious gaps then she's tough. If being in that intense work didn't break her I'd be optimistic.

Mine flat raced until he was 6 with some sucess. But it took me 18 months to get him barefoot and buying a shetland to stop him being an agoraphobic liability in the field 🙈
So it sounds like you have a head start on those bits!
 
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