Ex-racers???? Following on from my last thread

Perfect_Pirouette

Perfect_Pirouette

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Okay,

So as said in my last thread I am now horseless and looking for a full loan, OR a very cheap buy.

Prompted by the other ex-racer thread on the go at the moment.

Over the past week I have been thinking more and more about ex-racers, particularly after seeing the succcess people on here have had with theirs.

So I would love to get one on loan from a racehorse charity....or buy a fairly cheap one. HOWEVER, the catch is and unfortunately I do think it is probably the deal breaker but worth asking....I am a competent but nervous rider, lost all my confidence in my very late teens and now mid 20's am still struggling to get it all back completely and TBH doubt I ever will. I am okay once I get to know a horse and have a good seat and can deal with bucks, spooks etc but the fact is I don't really WANT to. Or at least not nasty bucks/spooks and not all the time. Obviously horses aren't robots and will all do something occasionally and that I don't mind. However I am dubious as to whether or not to attempt to give an ex-racer a home simply because I think genuine, safe ones just don't exist.

Has anyone else who's a bit of a nervous rider got an ex-racer and if so how did it turn out? Does anyone have an ex-racer that is safe and sane and came without too many quirks? Also has anyone ever had one on loan from a charity?

Just throwing the idea around in my head really and would like some help.
 
I can honestly say that my little TB is the easiest, sanest and most bomproof youngster I have ever dealt with. She does some impressive handstands in the field, sometimes I go to bring her in and think to myself ''I don't really want to be sitting on THAT :eek:'' but then time and time again, I tack her up and she just does not bat an eyelid at anything.
I bought her in August last year (I think, time seems to be escaping from me), but really started any sort of work after Xmas and she has never, ever put me in any situation that would unnerve me.
So, in short, yes, you can find sane, sound and sensible ex-racers for very reasonable money (think meat money, really).
 
She's nearly 6, raced unsuccessfully as a 2yo, then tried again at 5 yo and still too slow, I bought her from Alan McCabe, through a contact on here :) for £350 delivered.
Trainers words:
pretty, sound as a pound, bomproof and slow as a boat :D
He was pretty accurate in his description.
 
In short yes, I did, a nice 3yo. Now have 3 of them 6 years after the first, have done things with them that I never thought I could as a rider on the flat and jumping - I'd never really jumped before. My OH learned to ride on them aged 30 and has one of his own now.

None of the ones I've owned have been spooky or bucked, I have hit problems with them but nothing that you wouldn't encounter with any horse. I have, however, had the support of an excellent instructor and have been obsessive about what I feed them - it's all high fibre, low sugar, low starch, no molasses as I do believe a lot of issues that horses have nowadays are diet related.

They are all individual, obviously, but a nice horse is a nice horse regardless of whether it raced or not.
 
There are 3 on my yard that all came from the same trainer all free of charge and they are the most genuine laid back horse's Ive ever met.
One in particular belongs to a person who has very low confidence and he is by far the most saintly, quiet horse on the yard!!
 
martlin said:
She's nearly 6, raced unsuccessfully as a 2yo, then tried again at 5 yo and still too slow, I bought her from Alan McCabe, through a contact on here :) for £350 delivered.
Trainers words:
pretty, sound as a pound, bomproof and slow as a boat :D
He was pretty accurate in his description.
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OMG, you have just described my dream horse for dream price :( lol. Does he have one for me!

This is what I want, I am just really not very trusting at all and always believe people are BSing when they say how bombproof and safe their horses are etc. Although for £350 I don't suppose there's a lot of point in them lying.
 
Me!!!

I am honestly the biggest wimp going, it takes me along time to get to know and feel comfortable with a horse.

You've seen the posts with my Jpeg. I've had other breeds of horses and I don't find him any more sharp than them.

He's not always perfect he can have a sharp spook or a buck or a leap BUT I can bring him back to me quite easily, he won't just lose it and dump me, he's never done that and he isn't even 7 yet so for a young blood horse I think he's pretty damn good! I've always felt safe on him right from the start, he's just a sweetie.

Every horse iv'e ever had can have the odd sharp moment, even my old 26yr old PBA bucked off his novice sharer when he got excited :o. Iv'e never found J to be a massive handful in anyway, there are more cobby types at my yard which are generally quieter on a day to day basis but they wouldn't jump a 1m05 fence from a standstill because iv'e messed up and still clear the fence and carefully enough to keep me on board!

J does have a lovely temp. My mums late TB was really as quiet a gentleman as you could ever expect to find, he was stunning beautiful and just so lovely all of the time. My mum did lots of showing and dressage with him and he was always imbeccably behaved. My mums current one is sharper, he's a bit more of a nervous sort and while he will never buck, rear or bolt or do anything horrid he is more of a sensitive and twitchy ride. My late mare was more sensitive and forward going also but I trusted her, she never had me off in 5 years of ownership, she always looked after me.

I really am wimpy riding horses I don't know. If someone gave me their horse and said 'gallop it across the field' I wouldn't!!! I know my jpegs, I know how he reacts, I know he is a good horse and i'm fine :).

It really does just depend on each individual! I know of some ex-races who have made brilliant novice rides. If you want to get a loan one from a charity I recommend Moorecroft, you can go and try lots and you can go back as many times as you like to make sure you find the right one. Each one of their horses is hacked, schooled, popped a fence and has usually been to a show as well as being fully vet checked with jabs, teeth, back all up to date before they are rehomed. Its a very safe way of getting an ex-racer.
 
SummerxStarsx said:
OMG, you have just described my dream horse for dream price :( lol. Does he have one for me!

This is what I want, I am just really not very trusting at all and always believe people are BSing when they say how bombproof and safe their horses are etc. Although for £350 I don't suppose there's a lot of point in them lying.
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As he couldn't care less if the horse sold or not, he had absolutely no reason to lie to me. You will find that the trainers in general are fairly honest about their charges. I checked her record on Racing Post, checked against the breeder's/owner's other stock. Had a chat with the people looking after her and decided to have a punt.
I suppose, how I look at it, I was not set to lose a lot of money, as brutal as it sounds, I would get most of that back at Turners if she turned out to be a complete dud.
Just ring around trainers local to you, you will find it an interesting experience if nothing else ;)
 
We have Reg, who is a lovely, kind and honest horse. He's had his moments where he's gone "Nope, not today!" but Al doesn't have to do much to persuade him otherwise- the worst he does is threaten to go up as he bounces forwards. It has been an uphill struggle for them at times as she was very green to reschooling and he knew even less but now he's so many people's dream horse. He's very solid out hacking, totally snaffle mouthed (happy mouth lozenge snaffle) and a sweetheart to boot. You could take a granny out hacking on him and he'd behave and this behaviour is across everything.

His worse behaviour yet in a dressage lesson can be seen here:
[youtube]Q129Z6gFhRA&list=UU8Bu1at0ZeLX4u4QZELauKw&index=25&feature=plpp_video[/youtube]
And I think the strops were understandable considering the high winds and rain!
 
Firewell said:
Me!!!

I am honestly the biggest wimp going, it takes me along time to get to know and feel comfortable with a horse.

You've seen the posts with my Jpeg. I've had other breeds of horses and I don't find him any more sharp than them.

He's not always perfect he can have a sharp spook or a buck or a leap BUT I can bring him back to me quite easily, he won't just lose it and dump me, he's never done that and he isn't even 7 yet so for a young blood horse I think he's pretty damn good! I've always felt safe on him right from the start, he's just a sweetie.

Every horse iv'e ever had can have the odd sharp moment, even my old 26yr old PBA bucked off his novice sharer when he got excited :o. Iv'e never found J to be a massive handful in anyway, there are more cobby types at my yard which are generally quieter on a day to day basis but they wouldn't jump a 1m05 fence from a standstill because iv'e messed up and still clear the fence and carefully enough to keep me on board!

J does have a lovely temp. My mums late TB was really as quiet a gentleman as you could ever expect to find, he was stunning beautiful and just so lovely all of the time. My mum did lots of showing and dressage with him and he was always imbeccably behaved. My mums current one is sharper, he's a bit more of a nervous sort and while he will never buck, rear or bolt or do anything horrid he is more of a sensitive and twitchy ride. My late mare was more sensitive and forward going also but I trusted her, she never had me off in 5 years of ownership, she always looked after me.

I really am wimpy riding horses I don't know. If someone gave me their horse and said 'gallop it across the field' I wouldn't!!! I know my jpegs, I know how he reacts, I know he is a good horse and i'm fine :).

It really does just depend on each individual! I know of some ex-races who have made brilliant novice rides. If you want to get a loan one from a charity I recommend Moorecroft, you can go and try lots and you can go back as many times as you like to make sure you find the right one. Each one of their horses is hacked, schooled, popped a fence and has usually been to a show as well as being fully vet checked with jabs, teeth, back all up to date before they are rehomed. Its a very safe way of getting an ex-racer.
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Yes, you and your J were one of the reasons that made me think about getting one. Not because I think you're wimpy or anything like that but because I really like the look of him and he always seems a real genuine sort. Also like your mum's new one.

I think perhaps if I was to get one I would try and go down the loaning one from a charity route as you're right, it is a very safe way of going about it. I will get in touch with Moorecroft tomorrow I think and see what they say/if they have anything they think is suitable.

I don't mind going and paying £300-600 on one from a trainer at all, at the end of the day I wouldn't stand to make much of a loss if it did all go to pot, I am just a bit worried about broken bones in the meantime! (mine :D )

I don't mind the odd buck or spook etc, I just wouldn't want a 'bucker' or a 'spooker' or anything that was really quirky/nasty to ride. As I said, I know, especially with blood horses you will get the odd moment and, if like your J, it was easy to bring them back from that and they stopped it the I would be fine. Especially once I got to know them.
 
Lolo said:
We have Reg, who is a lovely, kind and honest horse. He's had his moments where he's gone "Nope, not today!" but Al doesn't have to do much to persuade him otherwise- the worst he does is threaten to go up as he bounces forwards. It has been an uphill struggle for them at times as she was very green to reschooling and he knew even less but now he's so many people's dream horse. He's very solid out hacking, totally snaffle mouthed (happy mouth lozenge snaffle) and a sweetheart to boot. You could take a granny out hacking on him and he'd behave and this behaviour is across everything.

His worse behaviour yet in a dressage lesson can be seen here:
[youtube]Q129Z6gFhRA&list=UU8Bu1at0ZeLX4u4QZELauKw&index=25&feature=plpp_video[/youtube]
And I think the strops were understandable considering the high winds and rain!
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Can't see the photo at work but hearing about him being virtually anyone's hack etc is really encouraging and inspiring. I guess it's just having the confidence to INSIST and push them through when they are having a real 'moment'
 
If you were planning on getting one then I would honestly advise you to get one that has been too slow to race or had no interest in going fast as they are generally the quietest and most bidable horses you will ever meet. I wouldn't go for an older handicapper as they know all the tricks in the book and whilst the can be the best rides on the planet they are the ones that have spent the longest time in training and thus will generally take longer to break away from that mindset.

Saying that I have a 6yo 6furlong sprinter who raced for 3 years - from 2yo-5yo - and he is THE laziest horse I have ever sat on!

If you go straight to a trainer then say what you want/need and they are generally honest about their horses as they don't want to get a bad name for themselves letting you have something that doesn't suit you.
 
As a rule of thumb, novice or riders with any kind of nervous disposition and ex-racehorse thoroughreds is a recipe for disaster. More often than not, I can't see it ending well.

Nice as pie as some horses are, thoroughbreds are known for being a bit sharp at times. Not only that, but when they come out of racing there are further quirks that may need to be 'broken down' before you build them back up.

A crap horse costs as much to keep as a good one, infact thoroughbreds frequently cost more than others in the first place (not often good doers and injury rate can be startlingly high) that I would always suggest nervous riders go for something safe, steady and not flashy rather than waste a paltry amount of money on a failed TB racer.

If you feel your only option is a failed racehorse, then you should get one that never even made it onto the track but as a nervous rider, expect to feel many moments of nervousness before you feel those moments of confidence!
 
I think going down the Charity route would definitely be the best idea for you as they will give you all the advice you need and they can tell you whether or not an ex-racer is suitable for you.

I would love one, but they definitely are not built for me and I know I could not handle any antics, I'm far too wimpy. That's why I stick to my Cobs/Welsh Cobs :p

If you do end up looking for one, make sure it's built uphill and, like others have said, was too slow on the racecourse.
 
MD- I'm the same, except I have now loaned 2 ex-racers and ridden a green 7 year old TB x DW for the past 7 and a half months so I now feel that I CAN have something else other than a cob.

HOWEVER, I am going to look at a lovely sec D for full loan on Friday :D I love Ds and some of them have the most fantastic movement. My friend's got one, had him about 18 months and has gone from Intro- nearly at Elementary in that time. I've ridden him a lot and think he's fab!

Have also ridden Iberian breeds a lot as worked on a classical equitation yard for a bit and have to admit, although they were bloody sharp and did things like go up vertical with me, they were fairly small and compact and I never once felt unsafe or that I was near to coming off. So would also consider one of those although they're slightly harder to find!
 
SummerxStarsx said:
However I am dubious as to whether or not to attempt to give an ex-racer a home simply because I think genuine, safe ones just don't exist.
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See below.

Scarlett said:
They are all individual, obviously, but a nice horse is a nice horse regardless of whether it raced or not.
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;)

EKW said:
If you were planning on getting one then I would honestly advise you to get one that has been too slow to race or had no interest in going fast as they are generally the quietest and most bidable horses you will ever meet.
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May I point you in the direction of CS? Came out of racing as too slow but probably the definition of quirky.

EKW said:
If you go straight to a trainer then say what you want/need and they are generally honest about their horses as they don't want to get a bad name for themselves letting you have something that doesn't suit you.
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True, both me and PS (and others) have bought exactly what it said on the tin.

MillionDollar said:
I think going down the Charity route would definitely be the best idea for you as they will give you all the advice you need and they can tell you whether or not an ex-racer is suitable for you.
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I too think the charity idea would be excellent for you - these have been re-schooled already and (mostly) will have been introduced to the all rounder life style.

I'd suggest an older sort, either from a charity or a PC home who has spent a good while doing a little bit of everything. Please get something with decent feet :cool:
 
I could not ask for a better horse than the ex-racer I have, she is so laid back and easy to handle, will do anything that is asked off her and definately one of the easiest horses I have had. Would not swap her for the world. I would also agree with going down the charity route as they want to find the best home possible for the horses and the majority of the horses have been re-schooled. :)
 
MillionDollar said:
I think going down the Charity route would definitely be the best idea for you as they will give you all the advice you need and they can tell you whether or not an ex-racer is suitable for you.
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HEROS http://www.heroscharity.org/ were fantastic for me if you decide to go down the charity route. They've got a lovely range of horses to suit whatever you 'do', and will absolutely make sure you don't end up with the wrong horse. They also do a 'life time loan' type agreement, which might be a good option for you if you'd rather not buy? I'd throughly recommend them! Good luck in your search :)

p.s. I hope this doesn't count as advertising?! I'm in no way affiliated with them, and it's a charity!
 
If you are nervous a TB could be a recipe for disaster - many of them are too sharp brained and would want a confident rider - ATM locally to me there are tons of normal horses looking for loan homes - if you want cheap that would be my way forward loan one that will get you your confidence back.

S x
 
See I was thinking Heros but a lady I know had a VERY bad experience and was given a horse 'suitable for a novice' well put it this way, it turned itself completely inside out like nothing I've ever seen before being ridden. Put her in hospital so many times. I'm really not sure what happened there but he was just totally NOT what it said on the tin. She sent him back after a year of battling and a few weeks later saw him, I think on their website as a 'novice ride' again. I know some horses can change with a different owner/environment but it was just a completely different horse to the one described.

The above HAS put me off charities a bit but i am sure that that is probably a very isolated case and most of the time people are matched up suitably.
 
SummerxStarsx said:
See I was thinking Heros but a lady I know had a VERY bad experience and was given a horse 'suitable for a novice' well put it this way, it turned itself completely inside out like nothing I've ever seen before being ridden. Put her in hospital so many times. I'm really not sure what happened there but he was just totally NOT what it said on the tin. She sent him back after a year of battling and a few weeks later saw him, I think on their website as a 'novice ride' again. I know some horses can change with a different owner/environment but it was just a completely different horse to the one described.

The above HAS put me off charities a bit but i am sure that that is probably a very isolated case and most of the time people are matched up suitably.
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Sounds like a nightmare! Can't blame you for being put off the charity a bit (and as good as my experience was it probably won't change your mind!), but don't let it put you off all charities. I was just about to add to my OP that if you're really not confident an ex-racer might not be your best option - mine have had their 'quirks'(!), but obviously you know you (and your confidence and ability) best, and that the added bonus of buying through a charity rather than straight out of racing is that they'd be able to give you more info on the horse and it's personality in 'normal' life.
 
to throw a spanner in the works, my ex racer is a neurotic nutcase who needs a really confident, calm rider or else he turns into a napping rearing nightmare! Just to show the other side of the story!
 
I would have a TB over a Welsh D any day, not tarring all Welsh D's with the same brush but if you at all nervous/unconfident they can be very clever and work you out. Why don't you try Darley, I believe their rehoming fee is £100 or something like that and they are only at Badlingham (sp) so not too far for you to go and see.
Such a shame about losing out on H, had a long chat with her owner last night about it all and it is for the best. You did a good job keeping her going and I am sure you both learnt a lot, as well as getting the red frilly!
 
My little guy is rising five... He was broken late, didn't make the grade when he went into training and ended up parked in a field for nearly a year...

The only reason I don't ride him much is because I'm totally back to basics after twenty five years out of the saddle and brain surgery - trying to 'relearn' my co ordination when his trot leaves me three feet behind him isn't the best idea I have to say... Plus he's still a baby himself really having had so little education so I need to stay within my confidence boundaries...

But...he's mega easy... My novice son rides him, my 'never sat on a horse before' husband has been on him and I'll happily take him out in the school or hop on after my son has had a lesson and just 'play' with him teaching him very basic stuff like reversing or stepping sideways... A student who hacks him out loves him to bits and some very competent friends have described him as 'boring'... :D

They're definitely not all lunatics who have hissy fits at the drop of a hat - although he is higher maintenance so far as rugs, keeping weight on etc are concerned... :)
 
Laafet said:
I would have a TB over a Welsh D any day, not tarring all Welsh D's with the same brush but if you at all nervous/unconfident they can be very clever and work you out.
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Agree, my Welsh D was far more complicated than any exracer I have owned. Proof that you should always look on horses as individuals!
 
Laafet said:
I would have a TB over a Welsh D any day, not tarring all Welsh D's with the same brush but if you at all nervous/unconfident they can be very clever and work you out. Why don't you try Darley, I believe their rehoming fee is £100 or something like that and they are only at Badlingham (sp) so not too far for you to go and see.
Such a shame about losing out on H, had a long chat with her owner last night about it all and it is for the best. You did a good job keeping her going and I am sure you both learnt a lot, as well as getting the red frilly!
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Oh, I know. I have ridden a few Welsh Ds and I wouldn't say any of them were novice rides. I ride my friends a lot and as gorgeous as he is, he is a little sh !t. He has tried to buck me off, bolted with me around the school flat out, round and round whilst trying to get his head down to bronc, although ears pricked the whole time with a cheeky smile on his face! Carted me off at full pelt towards a 4ft spread someone had been jumping, luckily I managed to turn him just before we got to it. But actually, I just completely adore him and have always said yes when been offered to ride him again. He really does go fantastically, think he was cut late as he has the most ginourmous, powerful neck and seriously powerful engine and is just so uphill. Now if that was a TB that did all the above with me, for some reason I'm just not sure I'd have been laughing :confused: which is ridiculous and a complete mental thing on my behalf. I think it's because, apart from the past 18 months, before that I have ridden cobs, welsh cobs etc and they have become my 'comfort zone' I just find them easier to ride, not as wibbly wobbly and not QUITE as sharp!

BUT for the past 18 months or so I have moved away from cobs and have been riding TBs or TBxs and I now do love them. I love the feeling they give you when they are working correctly and I also love how easy, compared to a cob, you can get them to do it. I really do think they find it a lot easier as I suppose they are built more for it than a cob is, even though I know obviously it is a WB that would find it most easiest.

And at the end of the day, I really, really love dressage and have to accept that I can only go so far with a cob. But I do think Welsh cobs go that little bit further. Have no idea what this one on Friday will be like but owner put in advert that they would like a dressage home for him as his flatwork and paces are good so we'll see.

Yes, I was thinking Darley too as know a friend who got one from there and they were good. Will wait and see what this horse is like on Friday I think and then if no good will start getting in touch with the charities.

I really have got the TB bug now. I just want a SANE TB. And I know they do exist. H was a TB and she was as sane as they come! It's just finding one!
 
Ladydragon said:
My little guy is rising five... He was broken late, didn't make the grade when he went into training and ended up parked in a field for nearly a year...

The only reason I don't ride him much is because I'm totally back to basics after twenty five years out of the saddle and brain surgery - trying to 'relearn' my co ordination when his trot leaves me three feet behind him isn't the best idea I have to say... Plus he's still a baby himself really having had so little education so I need to stay within my confidence boundaries...

But...he's mega easy... My novice son rides him, my 'never sat on a horse before' husband has been on him and I'll happily take him out in the school or hop on after my son has had a lesson and just 'play' with him teaching him very basic stuff like reversing or stepping sideways... A student who hacks him out loves him to bits and some very competent friends have described him as 'boring'... :D

They're definitely not all lunatics who have hissy fits at the drop of a hat - although he is higher maintenance so far as rugs, keeping weight on etc are concerned... :)
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He sounds lovely too! I guess it's just about taking a gamble isn't it which is what I've got to be prepared to do! I think re-homing from a charity would be the best thing at the moment if I was to get one and then perhaps offer to buy it if we get on.
 
tricky one..................generally buying an ex racer because you cant afford anything else, is the worst reason to buy one, and the reason they end up with a bad name.

there are plenty out there that are straight, and genuine, but it does depend on HOW nervous exactly you are, if something is blowing, snorting, bouncing and cantering sideways, but not actually really doing anything, are you going to be ok to sit still and pat and ignore it, because even the most genuine ex racer will probably have those moments, and if you think you would freeze and panic, that will scare them and the behaviour would escalate, if that makes sense?

Fig is THE most genuine, willing little man ive met, a real can do attitude, but someone who went foetal and nervy would really unsettle him and might end up making him very upset indeed.

you dont have to BE brave, but you need to be able to fake brave at the very least, if that makes sense?

the other thing to consider, is that if you buy one, and it turns out to be bonkers, and thus completely useless, will you have the balls to have it PTS and thus save another cheap and barmy horse entering the uncertain world of being sold on and on and on?if you dont think you could do it, step away now. Not saying many people have to, but its a harsh reality you have to consider, something that failed at its first career and isnt all that keen on having a second one, is safer PTS IMO, unless you are going to be happy to gift, or sell at a loss to someone you KNOW will be able to turn it around.
If CS wasnt so good at dressage, he would be one of those, because something that rears, wont hack, wont jump and naps like the devil, isnt a viable option to sell on. His freaky talent for poncing is all thats saved him really.

lots to think about.
 
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