Ex racers

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Carrots&Mints

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Have been thinking for a while to buy myself a new horse as Im progressing and wanting to learn more but my old steed is ready to have a more chilled out life.

Anyhow.... Started saving up some pennies aiming for 3k, but then I thought what about an ex racer?

How do you go about gettin information ect where I would get one from just general information.

Many thanks
 
Please don't take this the wrong way as you havn't given much information about your level of riding and experience other than your progressing. Think very hard about an ex racer. Even a retrained rehabilitated horse is very different to most other horses. A thoroughbred is often (not always) quite highly strung and if it's been in training will have several hangups. Separation anxiety being a common one as they tend to do everything in groups.
I do hope I'm not being presumptuous, you may be
perfectly capable of managing one and if that is the case it is very rewarding to own one, I have though seen some disasterous situations ending in injury and shattered confidence for both horse and owner, being the fault of neither other than incompatibility.
There are several ex race horse rehab centres for you you to investigate the possibilities, google should bring them up.
Wishing you well in your search for your new equine partner.
 
I've just bought myself an ex racer - to be fair he's 12 and raced til he was 31/2 - I wanted something fun but sensible that I could gain confidence with.

He is the best thing ever - I've had him 7 weeks, I'm jumping after 20 years of abstinence, hacking out, competing - he is absolutely fabulous :)

It's not about the breed it's about what suits you and what you want - used to big 17hh warm bloods so a 15.3 tiny tb was a shock but he ticked all the boxes - hrs fabulous :)
 
Elfen, that's fabulous. Having been out of racing a long time makes a difference but he maybe a more relaxed type as well. As I said before not all TB's are highly strung by any means but it's something to be aware of when looking.
Yes I bet he feels tiny after your warmblood.
 
One person I know who got her TB from someone connected to the jockey/ stables. She would reschool the horses and sell on. ( not a happy outcome for the horse as she is not a good owner or rider) My other friend's was bought outside the salesroom in the car park! He's a total sweetie.
I'm currently stalking one who's done really badly at racing. I contacted the trainer to ask what their plans are for her and to let me know if they wanted her rehomed. No word yet. :(
 
I love my ex racer - he's so quick to learn! I have found that they do generally need more management - all my horses are out at the moment and when I bought him he had already got mud fever, and I am still trying to get rid of it before winter starts! Also like lots of other ex racers I looked at he has his vices - if stabled he chews everything in sight!
If I was looking for another I'd do the same again and get one that did little racing - saw a few that came out if racing later and never came right and have since been due to the wrong owner taking on too much :(
 
You can tell me to mind my own business (I don't want to seem like I harp on about the breed at every opportunity), but how about a Standardbred ex-racehorse? They've been described as built like Thoroughbreds but with much more relaxed natures.

There's a ridden Standardbred sale coming up this month in Stoke-on-Trent, although it doesn't take much to break in one that's just come off the track (in fact most are broken to the saddle as part of their training anyway). They're also very cheap and very quick to learn.

Let me know if you'd like any more details etc.
 
I consider myself to be an experienced owner and decided to take on a ex racer after my boy passed away.

I'm sure there are lots of lovely laid back and loving ex racers out there but I didn't get one of them. He was extremely difficult from day one, had severe separation anxiety, napped for England, bit, kicked and was generally unpleasant to be around.

He was always hurting himself in the field, was lame more than he was sound, and got mud fever on and off throughout the whole year.

I had lots of professional help, but in the end it just didn't work out. Our personalities just didn't click.

I'm sure you will find a lovely ex racer, but just warning you that there are lots that do not cope with the change of lifestyle.
 
I bought one 8 weeks ago. I viewed about 12 at various race yards by just ringing up trainers in my area (all very friendly, helpful and welcoming), had one on trial for a month but he wasn't quite what I was after and then I started looking further afield on all the normal sales websites and found the one I have now which was being sold by an eventer on behalf on the owners. He's 4 and raced until March this year.

He's an absolute star, really can't fault him and I would say that of all the ones I viewed/ tried most seemed pretty quiet, easy and friendly. A couple I wouldn't have touched with a barge pole mainly due to temperament (arrogant, bolshy etc).

Challenges I face with my new lad are his very sensitive skin and he eats a LOT lol!

But I went in with eyes wide open, didn't believe anything I was told and I trusted my own knowledge and gut instinct, my new boy def has it in him to be naughty you can just tell, but he knows his boundaries. Trying not to sound big headed but I know I can handle any strops he may throw, I'm confident and because of that he hasn't tried anything. If he was with someone who had the slightest bit of doubt then I think he would milk it and run them riot (as most horses would to be honest)

But, I think he's a gem and will make a cracking eventer in time, having only paid £1k he's worth every penny and wouldn't swap him for anything
 
TrasaM said:
I'm currently stalking one who's done really badly at racing. I contacted the trainer to ask what their plans are for her and to let me know if they wanted her rehomed. No word yet. :(
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Did you actually use the word rehome rather than sell? Just that they may believe her to be a valuable animal for whatever reason and if you said rehomed that implies to me you are looking for a freebie (I'm not saying you are just how it could come across). If someone sent me an unsolicited email wanting to "rehome" one of my dogs it would be going straight in the bin.
 
I was going to say the same, depending on the horse an ex racer isnt’ really for someone ‘progressing’ as you will need to be teaching him/her a new way of life – they certainly wont be teaching you anything new.

That being said there are some ex racers that are brilliant and don’t need too much work – I had one years ago who was brill fun, needed a bit of schooling but nothing a 'good rider' couldnt handle.

The one we got last year was a completely different kettle of fish :eek: and not for the faint hearted and a year on we're now on board and doing well in the school - he wouldnt have a saddle on .. when he did he broncho'd on the lunge, you couldnt get on him, etc, etc... his two previous owners sold him on as dangerous/unrideable ... but then again they'd bought him beacause he was cheap :mad: and made him worse. All he needed was time/lots of work ;)
 
There is a website called Source an Ex Racehorse which has horses for sale from private homes and trainers.
http://www.sourceanexracehorse.co.uk/

They vary from those that have just finished racing and need to be turned away to those already competing in another sphere.

What you would get here is the background and information on the horse and temperament and you may find something that matches your experience and requirement
 
Would echo a lot of the posts. We bought our from Ascot 2 years ago. My daughter is v experienced, but this little mare has tested her VERY fully, She is the nicest natured but incredibly sharp & it has taken 2 years & a superb instructor to get her to the stage of being a lovely hack, albeit, a speedy one! & taking her out to small shows without having the paramedics on speed dial......
I have posted on here about our ups & downs, so if you search my name you will see our journey plus blogs!

Good luck if you do get one

Longdog
 
I am in the process of buying an ex-racer, he is 6 and has been out of racing since july 2009 (love being able to look him up on racing post) He was a really bad racer haha came last in the last 3 races he did bless him. However he is so laid back (not a plod though) and well mannered. I love him and can not wait for him to come home.
I am buying from a private home where he has been for the past year and they have also been fantastic and patient with my decision as its my first horse I have bought as an adult (grew up on a farm in devon with lots of riding and pony club)
I didn't go out looking for an ex-racer though I was looking for the right horse for me and it turns out that that's him.
 
You can get ex racers for nothing over here in ireland! If you do get one your better looking for an ex chaser/pointer rather then a flat bred as the chasers tend to be a lot less fizzy and more sensible
 
Taking her to a small show without the paramedics on speed dial.

Love that comment longdog. Really made me laugh.
On a serious Note though, although spoken in jest, it's actually all to often a very good idea for some ex racer owner/riders.
 
Another thing to think about is things like vet, farrier, dentist, saddler.

My ex racer was awful for all these routine things. I am surprised my farrier came back so many times, that man has the patience of a saint.
 
I am on my third one, I love them, the first two were jumpers and my present one is a little flat horse, thought I would downsize now I am getting older, but unfortunately he is the sharpest of the lot so keeps me on my toes!
I used to work with racers when I was young so I think the TB bug stemmed from then, I must say though, mine have all been fairly high maintenance!
 
CobsGalore said:
Another thing to think about is things like vet, farrier, dentist, saddler.
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Not sure that is an ex racer thing. All the vets I've had all say that they find the ex racers the easiest of their patients as they are so used to being handled from a young age.

Could do with mine being a little more unwilling to see the vet and when he was shod the farrier was a weekly visitor.
 
any money you save on the horse being 'cheap' will be quickly made up on vets bills, supplements etc. My ex racer is very high maintenance!
 
Aarrgghh...just posted a reply and it seems to have been eaten in cyber-space...so here I go again....
Right, charities such as Moorcroft will be able to help you, they take in horses from training yards and re-school them then re-home them for a donation. They will already have a good idea of the horses characteristics and who it may be suitable for in terms of level of rider and the riders aspirations in terms of hacking/jumping/dressage.
A few of the replies i've seen to your post seem rather negative as i've always found ex-racers to be great horses - quick to learn, good to handle, good for clipping/vet/farrier/box, affectionate...they are however very high maintenance.
To me the important thing is to find a horse that suits you, an ex-racer is just a description of the horses past - look at the horse in front of you - how is he to handle? how is he to ride? - they all have different personalities, as do all breeds of horse.
I have 8 ex-racers on my yard - I love them all dearly and they are not all advanced rides, in fact one is regularly ridden by 10/12yr old children.
 
If you are considering an ex-racer, first port of call should be The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre or Moorcroft. They always have TB's available to re-home, they are properly assessed and re-schooled and great care is taken to match horse to rider. They also have excellent back up if you need any advice.
 
momo79 said:
A few of the replies i've seen to your post seem rather negative as i've always found ex-racers to be great horses - quick to learn, good to handle, good for clipping/vet/farrier/box, affectionate...they are however very high maintenance.
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Sorry I don't mean to be negative, I'm just telling OP about the experience I had with my ex racer
 
Lovely horses, mine was so personable. But blumming high maintenance! Always injured etc. just stereotypical tb... But very beautiful.
Personally wouldn't have another, but looking at my current horse you can see the stamp of horse I like.... C.O.B rather than T.B :p
 
TrasaM said:
I'm currently stalking one who's done really badly at racing. I contacted the trainer to ask what their plans are for her and to let me know if they wanted her rehomed. No word yet. :(
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But I thought you said in your previous post about this mare she was being kept to race further???
 
I love exracehorses I buy them cheap either from the sales or though their trainers and reschool them for eventing I have done 6 so far, they are all sold once they reach BE100 and all of them have found very good homes, but it's like with every breed there good and bad, I'm just lucky I've found the good ones, and my idxtb has cost me more in vet bills then all of the 6 exracehorses I've had put together, good luck and if you get a good one dont ever let it go as they are wroth their weight in gold
 
The fact you have re schooled them for eventing says it all.
They are destined for confident strong experienced riders.
It's when they end up in the hands of novice or not very experienced people that problems arise, and the worst of all is a rider with low confidence having one, result is usually carnage.
I'm sorry but these horses may behave like sea side donkeys most of the time when they have a confident rider on board. They look and behave beautifully. The minute they feel upset Or worried it's a different story, and if the rider becomes anything less than positive there will be problems, often huge.
They are often a fantastic mount for the experienced but they should not be in the hands of anyone less.
It most certainly is about breed. All breeds of horse, dog, cat or cow have different traits. For the TB ex racer add to that their earlier life style and it makes them the hugely talented, often lovely tempered but always sharper ones.
 
Ribbons I totaly agree with you, although out of all my years with racehorses I've came accross a handfull of tb's that could be ridden by novice riders but they were a 1 off! I've seen a pile of racers that where quiet rides go to people who thought they were fit for them and end up loosing they're confidence and wreckin the horse at the same time! There really is the odd really quiet 1 but can take a long time to find and could be a painfull journey for a novice rider!
 
My first exracehorse that I got, Sam was 3, the second time he was ridden I let my sister in law ride him and she really is a novice rider but some of the others I wouldn't let her ride them, Sam really doesn't act like a exracehorse he really is lazy, I had a really bad car crash when he was 4 and had my arm in a cast he was the first one I got on only 5 days after my crash and he had 4 weeks off as I was working away he didn't do a thing wrong but like I said there good and bad in every breed, my idxtb it took 2 people to get her in two the start box and I didn't get on her until my arm was better and even now that's she 16 I would put just anyone on her but with Sam anyone could get on him
 
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