Ex-Racers. What is the so special about them?

I was going to say because they are the Ferrari of the horse world.

If you go back over the years there are lots of ex racehorses that have done very well show jumping, eventing, showing - I wish I could recall some names but I may get them wrong. It just wasn't so "special" as it were. Wasn't there a horse that George Hobbs show jumped at top level which had passed the post first in the Grand National (though without a rider?).

Now with all the work ROR are doing to encourage good practice, training and competition with ex racehorses the fact that they are ex racehorses is much more known.

I do think that there is a difference in the "specialness" as it were of a horse that perhaps ran a couple of times as a youngster and one that raced and been in training for 5, 6, 7 years. That said, even those who only ran a few times on the flat have still been started off younger and not done the same type of work as say a young horse specifically destined to event or dressage would do, so there is retraining physically and dependingon the horse mentally to do.
 
I have only had one horse that raced. He was sane and lovely! He only did hurdles two or three times and was too careful and jumped them massive. He made a nice eventer and was wonderful to hack ect! He did keep getting injured though and as a showjumper TBs arnt for me! I sold him to someone to event and she loves him
 
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