New home for my troubled ex racer

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Hi everyone..
Im looking for some ideas or advice, I have an ex racer horse hes 12 years old I've owned him for just over a year, I rescued him from neglect.
He was in ridden work until recently but he is very sharp. I am struggling financially and time wise to keep him so I have come to the decision to try and re home him. I do not want to sell him as this would only lead to an un certain future for him... I dont want him being passed from pillow to post. He is a very sweet natured horse. would make a lovely companion for an old boy or girl.
For him to be ridden he would need an experienced rider. Its breaking my heart doing this but i feel its for the best. If anyone knows of any sanctuary's or a loan home please get in touch. Anything is considered may be I would sell if i found the right home who knows...
 
I'm afraid there are thousands of ex racers looking for a home and so you will really struggle especially if he has soundness problems or is a difficult ride. Have you had the vet look at him?
 
Put him on the Project Horses website? If he could jump or do dressage with an experienced rider, someone might want him.
 
hi, ive had the vet to him he is 100% sound although there is evidence of an old pelvic injury (he fell on the track) When he was in ridden work he did show some great potential as a dressage horse and he was hacking out in traffic ok. (wouldn't say he was a happy hacker though! very lively) Ive tried advertising him for full loan but the only response I had despite stressing not a novice ride were complete novices!
 
My friend gave her TB to the blue cross when she could no longer look after her. Her TB could be quite sharp but fairly good to ride but was 13 and had hock spavins.
We saw her not that long ago on their website for rehoming.
Could be a possibility?
 
Firewell said:
My friend gave her TB to the blue cross when she could no longer look after her. Her TB could be quite sharp but fairly good to ride but was 13 and had hock spavins.
We saw her not that long ago on their website for rehoming.
Could be a possibility?
Click to expand...

I doubt you're likely to get very far with this. Due to massive strain on their finances rescue centres are only taking in the very sick and neglected horses. Personally I would suggest this is unfair on the rescue centres.

PTS although unpalatable, and thought to be unfair is an option- but first I would speak to instructors or PC to see if there are any talanted young riders who want the next step-up? Maybe there is a family who have a talanted child, and can't afford the horse to match them?!
 
Look at the Retraining of Racehorses website. www.ror.org.uk. they list the main ex.racehorse charities. They may not be able to take your horse, but they do have lists of people wanting ex.racers, so they might be prepared to pass on your details to anyone suitable.
 
http://www.sourceanexracehorse.co.uk/

I am interested in why you describe him as 'troubled'? You said he can be sharp, and needs an experienced rider, but is 100% sound. Selling on a horse does not automatically consign it to an uncertain future. There may well be other riders out there who are experienced, and can do a good job with your horse. You certainly haven't said he is beyond you, only that finances sadly are the issue. I agree wholeheartedly that welfare charities are full to bursting with real cases of neglect, and contemplating sending them a horse that, to all intents and purposes, has nothing wrong with it seems a bit unfair. Thoroughbreds generally tend not to make good companions, primarily due to their size, temperament, and needing a considerable amount of care and feeding. Your boy sounds as if he just needs an experienced rider, as he is young enough and sound enough to have a good 'job' somewhere. Better to sell to someone who can do a good job with him, than risk loaning him out, then having him sent back while you are still financially strapped, with no facilities, or worse, him going missing on loan. If he has got serious issues, I would suggest discussing possible solutions with someone really experienced with ex racers. If someone like them feel his problems are insurmountable, then, however awful it may sound, he will have NO uncertain future if he is put down.
 
Absolutely with Dunkley - the equine charities are overflowing, and are there to help neglected and suffering horses, not a healthy one in a good home.

I would not personally look at a tb as a companion, and think loaning can often be more trouble that in it's worth, especially if he is not an easy ride.

In your position I would be looking to sell - even if just for a few hundred pounds. I would just place another very honest advert and see who enquires....

If you are struggling financially there is no shame in considering pts if you really feel you can't find him a suitable home. I know it sounds harsh but these are difficult times and horses are a luxury, coupled with a horse market that is saturated already.

Good luck!
 
Tammytoo said:
Look at the Retraining of Racehorses website. www.ror.org.uk. they list the main ex.racehorse charities. They may not be able to take your horse, but they do have lists of people wanting ex.racers, so they might be prepared to pass on your details to anyone suitable.
Click to expand...

another with this contact some of the charties and they may be able to offer advice if not a solution charities such as the trc i know will not sell there horses and therefore remain the property of the trc until the end http://www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk/index.php
 
thank you for all your replies.when i say hes troubled i mean he is just very quirky. I think he has been beaten in the past as he is very wary of strangers but once he trusts you hes a pleasure. I brought him back in to work myself and he came on leaps but now due to lack of time and money I cannot continue with his education. He has a few vices. He windsucks, i had him scoped an he does have ulcers graded at 2/3 which I treated with gastro guard and is now controlled with settlex. he box walks when stressed. If i could find someone experienced to continue with his education then perfect! I would probably let him go to the right person.He is a very good looking horse.. you wouldnt think he was thoroughbred.Hes very sensitive when you first get on, (ive had his back checked, everything is fine in this area. he hops around on the spot for about 5 mins but if you sit quiet and keep your legs off your fine! Does anyone know anybody that may be interested? I would hate to just sell him on and him be passed around or even worse, neglected again.
 
You mentioned a pelvic misalignment and possible SI injury - with the stressy behaviour it does sound to me like he may have an ongoing problem there. I only say because my WB had low grade ulcers which were a symptom of his pain - he has been diagnosed since with chronic SI dysfunction. He was in a lot of pain continually and it only showed in his bad temperament and then eventual reluctance to be mounted and bucking.

I had his sacrum manipulated by a holistic vet who is osteopath trained and it has made a great difference to his movement and temperament. I have LOU for him as he is a chronic case.

I thought I should just say.
 
I agree with the others, that he is unlikely to be suitable as a companion. If he is a good doer, he would benefit from living out. Less stress = less stereotypies, so may help re the boxwalking (natch! :D) and windsucking, which would then improve the gastric problems.
Gastroguard/Settlex etc are pretty expensive and it is unlikely that someone would willingly take on those kind of issues. Coupled with which it sounds like he is cold backed and a 'quirky' ride.
I'm sure he is a lovely natured boy, and good looking, but he has so many minus points that are potentially dangerous/expensive to treat.
Have you thought of advertising for an experienced sharer to ride him for you and help towards finances?



















lthough living out may possibly help with the windsucking and obviously the box walking
 
Could you offer a part loan, or share, or find somewhere cheaper. I realise the financial commitment for a horse is significant, but possibly you could trim your own expenses in the short term, and this might help, or get another part time job.
 
My horse i bought in July...not cheap either!! He has always been classed as 'quirky'......in fact he's not quirky, he rears, bucks, spins, tried to kill me, kicked me in the head, bolts, bites and anything else you wouldnt want a horse to do but its only now that we can actually hack out without returning separately!! i can now canter across fields, where as before he'd stick his head down, bolt and buck, i can jump anything with him, before he'd plant himself, i'm hunting him next week and he's lovely now! x he has his moments still but riding out last night at dusk (had to consider being found if bucked off when it got dark before!!) i realised that we actually have a bond now and when i say no, instead of trying to face plant me, he'll have a bit of a sulk, gets squeezed on and loads of praised for slight forwards movement and then he'll be fine for the rest of the time! x its amazing how much a horse can be turned around and even though he still has his moments and he does have to trust, he is a lovely horse compared to 6 months ago but even as a devil (not exaggerating!) i wanted him as soon as i saw him and i could see his potential so even though we're a long way off, we're getting there so there is hope that there is a rider out there for him.

Wish you the best of luck finding him a home, if its as a companion or as a ridden horse. I think its hard to admit defeat, either finacially or in your ability but passing him could do him the world of good. It definately sounds like you care and have his best imterests at heart x
 
Can he jump?
Where are you? Anywhere near Lincolnshire?

My yard mate has just had notice on her loan and is looking for a long term horse. She is pretty upset so long term only. She is 16 but tall and very capable, I cannot speak highly enough of her as a horse person/rider.

He would also need to be reliable on the ground as I do the morning routine and am not too stable on my feet due to knee problems so not able to deal with maniacs on the ground. I am experienced though!

She's not a OTTB fan and would need to be a special ponio to fill the gap left by her current horse but if you are near it would be worth her meeting him I think. PM me if interested and local(ish)
 
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