Looking after TB horses?

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alexsharpe

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Hi there, i have ridden and looked after horses since i was 7 (23 now) and have owned my own horse for nearly 6 years. I have ridden TBs before and helped looking after one for a while but my experience with them ends there!

I am thinking about getting one but is there anything special i need to know about looking after them? I am a knowledgeable horsewoman and know that they suffer from gastric ulcers more then other breeds and they are finer so often require more rugging up. Other than that, i am more than qualified to look after horses so can't imagine there is much more to learn about TBs!!

Thanks
 
I would say - be very strict with their feet. Make sure you book the farrier on time, use an appropriate moisturiser/hardener/supplement in summer/winter as neccessary and use it religiously.
 
They are like any other horse! treat them as an individual and cater for their novel idiocyncrasies (sp) and you can't go wrong.

I have two and do exactly that
 
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High maintenance.

Awful Feet.

You gotta love em!

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Or the complete opposite....!! OH has one, good feet. Biggest personality on the yard though. Will live in/out but watch out for flying buckets when he thinks its tea time!!!
 
When I got a TB I was told you will always have your hand in your pocket. Sadly true! Get it vetted and don't buy anything with problems, you don't want any exclusions on your insurance policy. Opt for the higher level of vet's fees on your insurance policy and LOU if you can afford to do so.

TB horses are held together by muscle and when that goes, they fall apart, so fitness is important. A heart murmur which may be picked up on vetting is not unusual for TBs or necessarily anything to worry about. Feed a good joint supplement and a feed balancer. Coligone is a good product for gastric maintenance and stressheads.

Feet are usually bad so get a good farrier. The feed balancer will help with feet, or feed Formula 4 Feet. Kevin Bacon helps condition the outer wall. Dont' neglect the feet as an underrun heel is very common in TBs. Also thin walls that can't hold a shoe.

Trying hard to think of any good points here ... oh yes, they are very beautiful!
 
Treat them as individuals. I have 2, both fantastic with great feet and no gastric issues at all. One has to be rugged like the michelin man the other is rugless! Both are a little highly strung but lets face it, that's why we love them. Very intelligent, quick learning horses who are a pleasure to own(and look good when pratting around!)

Above all, don't be scared to ask for help and/or advice.
 
They are all so very different. Mine has fairly flat but very hard feet, very good quality horn. Has become accident-prone! Otherwise easy to look after and ride.

Oh, and mine doesn't feel the cold, heavyweight rugs not often used despite being partly clipped last winter. He's always toasty warm!
 
I was actually thinking about rehoming one from a retired racehorse charity but a pre-requisite for the new owner/carer is TB experience!!! So i think I will be vetted more thoroughly than the horse!!

Thanks for all the advice.
 
Mine is 7/8 TB....but no gastric problems, fab feet and incredible willing temperament with a sharp mind which makes training her a delight.

Minus will always be saddle fitting, high withered and the temptations is to get a narrow saddle which is a huge mistake because they pinch the withers. Dropped template is usually required which makes off the peg saddles a poor fit.

Rugs....wide neck rugs pull back and can rest on the wither. Horseware rugs are a great fit...cheap way is a horseware underrug..that way anything will sit over the top.

Plenty of rugs, more hay than they can eat and good quality non heating feed. Nuts are better than mixes because they are easier for TB's to digest. Alfa and speedibeet are great high fibre, warming additions to the hard feed.

Echo the regular farrier...dont exceed 6 weeks because they have notoroiously bad feet (my horse is an exception but I still take care because I want to maintain them).

Exercise.....we have 'all in' days when the fields are waterlogged. Most other liveries just go for the day off option but I always exercise, lunge if no time to ride. They need regular exercise.

Fantastic horses.
 
They usually need an experienced rider who is confident in the saddle. They have a reputation for spooky, but I've ridden ones that are almost bombproof. They tend to drop weight easily and surprisingly quickly. I've heard Pink Powder is good. Intelligent. Loving. Sometimes nervy. Soppy.
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As individual as any other breed or part-breed.
Last 2 I've had went 8 weeks between farrier visits, lived in or out, held condition beautifully and were generally as easy as the natives they lived with. One was a jumping machine, the other really wasn't. One was thick as they come, the other extremly bright.
 
They are all different. I've had 2 laid back ones which I've let novice children ride and one very sharp one. Some of them need wrapping up in cotton wool and some are as hard as nails!
I think what you need to be aware of is that they probably need a bit more looking after than other horses, they may have rubbish feet and that some appear to be very accident prone but this isn't always the case.
They are lovely horses, my riding horse is a Warmblood and I'm beginning to realise that I'm missing my Thoroughbreds!
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i had one on part loan..
she went 12 weeks without the farrier as didnt grow any foot hardly, and shoes stayed on really well, she got fit really easily, as was nearly out of work when i got her
was a jumping machine, a bit slow for a tb, but she was 14, and speedy in company!
very fussy though, and very loving, best horse ive known, i miss her loads
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:(

xxx
 
They can be very versatile. My oldest TB is 25, I've had her 18 years and she has done all sorts: raced, team chased, hunted, endurance and all riding club stuff. She also bred 2 foals. They can be very sensitive and responsive. Mine has awful feet and also needs her teeth doing twice a year. I love TB's!
 
When i got mine in april, he literally needed shoeing every 2 weeks!!! but he is now on 6 weeks like the others are. he had been on Global Herbs hoof supplement and we have a very good farrier. He can also be a pain to catch as he wasn't turned out before much, and cant be left alone in the yard, definitely needs company. otherwise, love him to bits, can be a bit messy in the stable though!
 
Echo feet issues - My farrier is on speed dial!! Every 5 weeks without fail and he fronts are still dodgy.

His temprament is pretty good, very laid back and lets you brush him all day but DO NOT hug him unless he comes to you!
 
well i have one - has very good conformation, and although his hooves can crack a little, they are perfect shaped. Very lazy, will get out of doing work if he can, also very greedy. But has very good paces for dressage, as well as an excellent jump when he can be bothered.
 
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