horse budget

[Slightlyconfused]

They are a massive risk - I don't know anyone who has had one that wasn't a big vet bill on legs. Perhaps the people I know have just been unlucky. Then you've got a horse that's potentially difficult to retire in a field on your hands. Add to that the fact that they are bred and trained to be reactive and fast - they really aren't a horse for the average rider. Fine if you are a very experienced rider with good nerves and prepared to PTS if/when not rideable. This is why they are not expensive to purchase.

My disabled brother rode our tb. He was a hot horse that was in a medium rug when every one else had heavy or more on them. He lived on adlib hay and just a chaff bicket for supplements, was ridden in a snaffle for everything and went past everything and out any anything.

My welsh on the other hand dumped people she didnt like, when hacking could only hack with certain horses, liked to bugger off when she spooked, had a mean buck and was seriously senstive. I would take a ex racer over a welsh anyday

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Also, just to put it out there, a young girl on the yard has just brought a 4yr old ex racer, the easiest horse to handle on the yard, they treated for uclers as he came over from Ireland and knew it would be stressful. He has taken everything in his stride. Does not give a flying poop if horses arw kicking off on the yard he is too busy eating.
Is barefoot, has only been either naked, rainsheet or max 200g and that was in the snow.

He is going to be mega when he has finsihed his growing and training.

Like anything, it depends on the horse. A freiend has done through three horses in 5 years from private or dealer sales and they had to be either retired or sold due to not suited to her or mediacl issues. And these have no tb anywhere in them at all.

 

[SO1]

If you are interested in connies there are plenty on horsemart in the 6-8k range that are backed youngsters.

I think prices are falling. Most are advertised as OVNO so you might get a bit of the asking price.

 

[dottylottie]

thankyou for the insight everyone!

i’m trying to keep an open mind, my only absolute no’s are heavy hairy horses and i really don’t like chestnuts?

i do prefer “go” than “woah”, but i’m trying to be realistic in that i don’t want to take on something that i CAN handle just because i can, over something i would enjoy more - an ex-racer that’s already started retraining would theoretically be more suitable than one just out of racing, even though i’d be able to cope with it, im not sure i’d find it enjoyable to do the whole retraining process myself.

i think my main issue is that i know i need to try a few to figure out what i like and don’t like, but i don’t want to be labelled a “time-waster” by trying something i’m on the fence about?

 

[Barton Bounty]

thankyou for the insight everyone!

i’m trying to keep an open mind, my only absolute no’s are heavy hairy horses and i really don’t like chestnuts?

i do prefer “go” than “woah”, but i’m trying to be realistic in that i don’t want to take on something that i CAN handle just because i can, over something i would enjoy more - an ex-racer that’s already started retraining would theoretically be more suitable than one just out of racing, even though i’d be able to cope with it, im not sure i’d find it enjoyable to do the whole retraining process myself.

i think my main issue is that i know i need to try a few to figure out what i like and don’t like, but i don’t want to be labelled a “time-waster” by trying something i’m on the fence about?

Have a look at solway racehorses, he gives them downtimes and started their retraining! I highly recommend Kevin ?

 

[Peglo]

please keep us updated on your search. Very much looking forward to hearing when you’ve found your new horse. ?

 

[dottylottie]

please keep us updated on your search. Very much looking forward to hearing when you’ve found your new horse. ?

thankyou! the earliest i’ll be looking is the end of march/start of april, but i’m eager to update you all and stop boring you all with questions on the same subject?

 

[Lexi 123]

They are a massive risk - I don't know anyone who has had one that wasn't a big vet bill on legs. Perhaps the people I know have just been unlucky. Then you've got a horse that's potentially difficult to retire in a field on your hands. Add to that the fact that they are bred and trained to be reactive and fast - they really aren't a horse for the average rider. Fine if you are a very experienced rider with good nerves and prepared to PTS if/when not rideable. This is why they are not expensive to purchase.

I disagree I have seen very sound chilled ex racehorse that were ridding into their late 20s Stop stereotyping TBs . I know reactive crazy cobs that Have arthritis at 6 years old that retired young.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I disagree I have seen very sound chilled ex racehorse that were ridding into their late 20s Stop stereotyping TBs . I know reactive crazy cobs that Have arthritis at 6 years old that retired young.

I agree!
My han cost way more than bb a month with his heartbars and build up amongst other things ?

 

[Marigold4]

TBF I have only known 4 ex-racehorses. So I do have limited experience. However, all 4 were a disaster.

 

[Marigold4]

I disagree I have seen very sound chilled ex racehorse that were ridding into their late 20s Stop stereotyping TBs . I know reactive crazy cobs that Have arthritis at 6 years old that retired young.

I'm not anti-TB. Most of my horses (bar a couple of connies) have been at least 50% TB. I'm a big fan! I just don't think backing them and shoeing them so young or racing them hard does their soundness any favours.

 

[Dexter]

I'm not anti-TB. Most of my horses (bar a couple of connies) have been at least 50% TB. I'm a big fan! I just don't think backing them and shoeing them so young or racing them hard does their soundness any favours.

If you can find one that's raced and stayed sound for a year after that, you are more likely to have found a good one. They are cheap straight off the track as its a gamble.

 

[ycbm]

I'm not anti-TB. Most of my horses (bar a couple of connies) have been at least 50% TB. I'm a big fan! I just don't think backing them and shoeing them so young or racing them hard does their soundness any favours.

There are NH horses available that didn't start work until they were 4 or even 5. They are sold to go into training as unbroken or just backed "stores". The taller and bigger boned horses are less likely to have started too young.
.

 

[dottylottie]

okay so, i’ve just been looking at ex racers on horse quest and some of them are quite lovely? i’m surprised by how many of them are 15-15.2hh aswell, im 5”2 and petite so wanting something that’s not-a-pony but doesn’t make me feel like i’m doing the splits lol.

downside is that i was thinking along the lines of something a bit chunkier so my mum could ride too, and unfortunately she’d be too big for a 15hh tb. she’d forgive me though right?!

 

[Barton Bounty]

okay so, i’ve just been looking at ex racers on horse quest and some of them are quite lovely? i’m surprised by how many of them are 15-15.2hh aswell, im 5”2 and petite so wanting something that’s not-a-pony but doesn’t make me feel like i’m doing the splits lol.

downside is that i was thinking along the lines of something a bit chunkier so my mum could ride too, and unfortunately she’d be too big for a 15hh tb. she’d forgive me though right?!

There is a cracking 16.1 tb called big frank but he is chestnut lol. I dont think you wanted a chestnut lol. He is on horsemart or horsequest, I would have snapped him up.
Have a look on preloved as well.
I am 5’2 and BB is 16.1 and he is just the right size ?
She is lovely! ?

 

[dottylottie]

There is a cracking 16.1 tb called big frank but he is chestnut lol. I dont think you wanted a chestnut lol. He is on horsemart or horsequest, I would have snapped him up.
Have a look on preloved as well.
I am 5’2 and BB is 16.1 and he is just the right size ?
She is lovely! ?View attachment 106224

he’s too big and too orange?

stop it!! i don’t really want a mare either!!? what a pretty girl?

 

[Barton Bounty]

he’s too big and too orange?

stop it!! i don’t really want a mare either!!? what a pretty girl?

Lol! 16.1 isnt that big of a difference! Honestly youd hardly notice it but there is plenty about for you she was just an example ?

 

[Squeak]

I'm 5'1 and have a 16hh tb. I would probably choose to go smaller as a personal preference but I have no issues with the 16hh and don't look too small on him for showing or dressage so it could be worth considering if you do want to be able to share with your Mum.

 

[dottylottie]

I'm 5'1 and have a 16hh tb. I would probably choose to go smaller as a personal preference but I have no issues with the 16hh and don't look too small on him for showing or dressage so it could be worth considering if you do want to be able to share with your Mum.

i’ve ridden up to 16.3 comfortably, it’s the things like tacking up and grooming that i struggle with? i know 15.3 seems like an odd limit, but i’ve always been able to really notice that i can cope at 15.3 but once they’re an inch taller the problems start?

i’d be willing to try up to 16hh, especially if they’re on the fine side, but that’s my absolute limit lol and they’d have to have impeccable ground manners haha

 

[SO1]

I am same height as you and agree it tacking up the big horses that is the issue. At the RS I am often on 16h+ plus I would never buy one that size because of the day to day handling.

Homey was 13.3 and perfect height for me.

i’ve ridden up to 16.3 comfortably, it’s the things like tacking up and grooming that i struggle with? i know 15.3 seems like an odd limit, but i’ve always been able to really notice that i can cope at 15.3 but once they’re an inch taller the problems start?

i’d be willing to try up to 16hh, especially if they’re on the fine side, but that’s my absolute limit lol and they’d have to have impeccable ground manners haha

 

[dottylottie]

not on the topic of budget but i don’t want to keep making new threads lol -

does anyone show an overheight connie with any success? i really do like them, and i’ve seen a few conflicting posts about showing them as a hunter/sports horse. obviously at local level it doesn’t make a great deal of difference, and there’s still other classes they *can* go in, but has anyone got anywhere with it? of course it’s all for fun, but i don’t want to look like a plonker haha. the most common seems to be SHP, but i’m too old for those classes

 

[Jango]

If you are discounting 4yos because they've done a bit of hunting, you would be mad to take on a ex racer who would have been galloping and racing at 2yo before their young bodies are mature. TBs are lovely horses and I wouldn't discount one if it hasn't been racing or training. But all the ex racers at my yard spend a LOT of time at the vets or rehabbing for something or other!
I think you would be able to get a nice horse that could do some local showing for under 10k at the moment. It's also worth asking if the price is flexible. I recently enquired about 2 horses up for 10k, before I went to view I explained my max budget was 8k. Both sellers were happy to take that for a good home (I've bought one of them!).

 

[dottylottie]

If you are discounting 4yos because they've done a bit of hunting, you would be mad to take on a ex racer who would have been galloping and racing at 2yo before their young bodies are mature. TBs are lovely horses and I wouldn't discount one if it hasn't been racing or training. But all the ex racers at my yard spend a LOT of time at the vets or rehabbing for something or other!
I think you would be able to get a nice horse that could do some local showing for under 10k at the moment. It's also worth asking if the price is flexible. I recently enquired about 2 horses up for 10k, before I went to view I explained my max budget was 8k. Both sellers were happy to take that for a good home (I've bought one of them!).

the hunting was just a generalisation - i’d be hesitant to take on a 4 year old that’s been doing everything under the sun for the same reason i wouldn’t particularly want to take on an ex-racer; the repercussions of them doing so much in their younger years. Obviously there’s no guarantee that a 10 year old wasn’t also started this way, and i think i should’ve phrased it better. Equally though i’m wary of the adverts of ponies being sold unbacked or just backed at 7, because then i’m wondering what put them off doing it sooner. conclusion: i’m wary of all these adverts!? And because horses are such wonderfully accident prone animals, after all my worrying and questioning i’ll no doubt buy something that flys through the vetting only to injure itself as soon as it’s home haha.

i’m not in any way overlooking how difficult this process can be, but i’m *hoping* because my requirements are relatively flexible and there’s not many behavioural things that would put me off, i’ll manage to find something reasonably soon without having to put my budget up too much.

i’m glad you snagged a bargain, AND a lovely horse!