OTTB a good horse to have?

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countrybumpkin727

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Hello there!

So after 18 years (ish) of riding I am finally going to take the plunge and get my own horse. I am not a novice rider and have work ridden for yards and ridden a whole variety of horses from babies to difficult horses. After finishing uni and having a near miss with a horse and lorry I have decided to take the plunge and get my own horse and do some eventing. My budget is tight as I am paying off my student loan but I managed to get around £2000 together for a horse. While on my search to find the one I have seen lots of ex racers for sale that have come off the track, have been restarted and are no for sale and within my price range. My family has had some history of TB as we used to be in the racing industry so it is not a case that we do not know how they behave and how sharp they can be. What has concern me is that a family friend who is horsey said that one would not be suitable as they can be hard to handle, really bad dooers and need lots of extra food and most importantly need to be ridden every day other wise get really upset. I work full time and some times I have to work late, last year I had a horse on loan and in the summer it was fine I could get out there 6 days a week but during winter with the right facilities sometimes it can only be 3 rides a week. So my questions are as follows:

do you find that they actually are fine with not being worked everyday? is it just my friend using a generalisation?

Do they require a lot more food?

There must be lots of people out there with OTTB so if anyone could share their stories that would be great!

Thanks
 
Like any other breed they vary immensely.
We currently have 2 (have had others).
#1. We've owned since she was 4, had her in training. She's a big lass, does require a lot of feed, and is hard to keep condition on. BUT I don't need to ride her everyday, she maintains a reasonable level of fitness without me having to spend hours doing fittening work which is a godsend as like you I can work long hours, I travel at least 1 week a month and I have a young son, sometimes it's just not feasible for me to ride for up to 7 days. She's also a wimp (small cut = huge ouchy) and it's taken time to get her feet right. Fab to handle, although my son has scared the bejasus out of me a couple of times by running under her - she just watches him and sniffs
#2. New arrival, 5yo gelding, very sharp needs riding / exercising every day or you have to lunge him before you get on. We're hoping that with time he will chill out more. But within 2 weeks of being on the yard he's starting to relax, has been up the road in company and didn't bat an eyelid at the combines and lorries. He's a much tougher little nut, managed to cut his leg in the field and we thought he'd be hopping lame but it's not bothered him at all, we've not worked him whilst its healing as don't want it to open up so getting back on could be interesting! can be tricky to handle as has been teased whilst in training but is gradually chilling out.
Of our other TB's:
1 mare - very sharp but didn't need riding every day, just expect jigjogging and exuberance when you next ride her, very good doer, got fat on fresh air, easy to handle but we'd had her from a yearling
1 mare - very laid back, pulled shoes off for fun but didn't go lame when it happened (unlike mare #1 who dies if no shoe on), completely chilled and didn't require riding every day, really easy to handle
So there you go - 4 examples, 4 very different horses.
They are personally my breed of choice BUT, choose carefully, if you're going to a sale try and speak to the trainer and anyone else that know's the horse first, try and make the most informed decision you can - it's easy to buy a pretty TB it's much harder to buy a good one.
 
Depends on the horse's personality completely. I got one to do eventing on, he had nice paces and a nice jump. But his brain just isn't there for it as more pressure went on. They really need to have very good heads to be able to cope with the 3 phases. Mine should technically be able to do, but he just can't mentally. He is also a disaster for injuries and has cost a fortune in vets bills. he would go haywire if he was only ridden three times a week, and i need to pump food and oils into him in winter to keep weight on. I love him to bits and he has a home for life doing dressage with me, but in hindsight i wish i'd saved more and got a different horse. I eventually got an ISH as well who absolutely loves eventing, and it just makes everything much easier and more enjoyable.

I love exracers and will always have one i think. But if i was getting another I'd take way more time analysing its personality instead of just looking at vague 'potential' based on looks and paces
 
I have two, I don't think I'd have anything else now.

Older boy is 17 now, got him 2 years ago after loaning him for a few months. He has perfect manners with just enough cheek! Absolutely stunning to look at, quite fine & has amazing (bare!) feet.

Apart from what we jokingly refer to as "sideways month" when he first goes into the summer grazing, he's perfect to ride. I was very novice when I got him & he's given me so much confidence :-) my novice son rides him too.

He can be difficult to keep weight on in winter, but think we've cracked it with alphabeet & micro linseed.

Aside from his jabs he has never needed the vet.

The baby has just turned 7, is 17hh and built like a tank. Never seen so much bone on a tb & there are 15 others on our yard! He's so chilled he's practically horizontal. Good doer, barefoot, armchair ride. Love them both to bits!
 
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They are massively variable, in all honesty go and see them and make your mind up on an individual basis. My mare never raced but she is pure TB and is very easy, more sensible than my sports horses although does take a fair bit feeding over the winter but she has still been growing which has made it a bit more complicated to get right. She has better feet than either of my sports horses!
 
I've had four now and as others have said they've all been different!

The first one had raced and appeared to be really laid back until I sorted out the pain in his back and then he turned into a it of a nightmare. He also picked up what I can only describe as a "stab wound" between his front legs in the field which required hospitalisation and extensive antibiotics. How he did it I'll never know. He didn't stay long because in the end he just wasn't suitable for what I wanted him for so I can't comment on feeding etc.

The second one was full TB, with racing bloodlines but never raced. I got her as an older lady and I think I can honestly say she is one of the best horses I've ever had. I did all sorts on her and when she was really fit I did have to work quite hard to keep the weight on. In the summer she was fairly easy to feed-I have found that all my TBs have done better on good grass in the summer time compared to the winter when they are on hard feed. She had been used as a broodmare so if anything I found that she could become a little chubby in the summer if I wasn't careful. If she wasn't ridden for a week she would be bright but not silly, but I found that she was at her best if I rode her about 5 times a week.

The third one was an ex-racer who had raced and I got him as a 5 year old. He was an absolute nightmare not helped by the fact that he had been gelded late and could be an idiot to turn out with other horses. I was on a large livery yard at the time which made my life a bit difficult. He was also tricky to handle and would rear up if he was in a mood. It didn't bother me because I knew how to handle him, but there were days when I couldn't get to the yard because of work and I know for a fact that the yard owner didn't like handling him. He was hot headed to ride and I used to have to work him every day or I knew about it. He was also tricky to feed because everything used to hot him up. I'd had him about 18 months when my circumstances at work changed and I couldn't keep two horses. I still had my mare (horse 2, above) who by this stage was in her mid 20's so I sold him. He went to a good home and is doing well although I don't think he'll ever be straight forward. He was by Dubai Millennium so I think that's where some of his temperament problems came from.

My current horse has been in training but never raced, too lazy I think! All my TBs have been big, but he is massive and is an absolute pain to keep weight on in the winter. By about January time he is on three big feeds a day plus ad lib hay and you can still see his ribs. When he's not in work he keeps weight on fairly easily, but as soon as he's doing something he drops it off again. He will never be a fat horse! He is pretty level headed and a real saint to handle. I would say I can probably leave him for about 4-5 days without being ridden and he's OKish. Any longer than that and I'll lunge him before getting on. On the whole he's pretty good, but like any horse he has his moments! I usually ride him about 5 times per week and he does pretty well on that.

As others have said I would speak to the horses trainer if you can to get a good idea of what the horse is like. Or look at one of the rehoming centres as they will have built up a good relationship with the horse and will be able to tell if it is going to suit you or not. Be critical about the horses confirmation and previous injuries-will it stand up to the job you want it to do? Ex-racers can be expensive pets if you can't ride them because they're lame! I would also consider the horses pedigree. As I've mentioned above, Dubai Millennium has a reputation for throwing difficult horses with sharp temperaments. My current horse is by Street Cry and he is known for producing horses that are level headed, sensible and keen to learn. There is also Bustino in his pedigree which is another horse I like.

Good luck with whatever you decide!
 
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countrybumpkin727 said:
So my questions are as follows:

do you find that they actually are fine with not being worked everyday? is it just my friend using a generalisation?

Do they require a lot more food?

There must be lots of people out there with OTTB so if anyone could share their stories that would be great!

Thanks
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I've only had ex-racers, and whilst they have their challenges, they are great riding horses.

I found with mine that 3-4 days a week were fine, but this would tend to be in a row in order to really make progress if they are green. I don't think working every day is either necessary or even beneficial for them. So, 2-3 days off, then ride for 3-4 days. If they are green, they might be a bit hot on the first day or two, but you just need to ride through it and then by day 4, they should have made some progress, so rest for a few days. Rest days are important for their muscle recovery, but you need to be sure you are giving them quality work on the days you ride them - good 40 min, hour sessions of proper schooling, get them working and sweating. We really only show OTTBs where I am from (Aus), and I was given this advice from someone who has brought on probably hundreds of them over the years, it seems to work for the majority.

I can only compare them to the ponies we had, so obviously they are never going to be as hardy as them, but again, work them, but work them smart not hard and you'll find it easier to manage their weight - if they get worked hard every day you may find the weight drops off them. The biggest problem I had with them was actually getting them to eat, they just aren't naturally 'piggy' like some other horses, although that's a generalisation - one mare I had was a greedy little thing and the only time she went off her food was when she was really ill, so call the vet!!! But often they'll eat, but not finish every meal, and I used to find traveling them would put them off a bit too so if you are competing you need to take that into consideration.
 
Thank you all so much for your response! I was a bit worried when my friend, who is very horsey, tarnished them all with the same brush as I assumed that it was individual. I have no ISH horses to be a nightmare as well as warmbloods.

I have actually done a fair amount of detective work on this one, I emailed the breeder and his last trainer to get an idea of his temperament. They said that when he was with his first trainer he was a bit nervous when he got into the yard and would bite his shoulder and kick his stable but settled down. As soon as he moved to his last trainer he was a saint which is current owner has also suggested. He did crack his pelvis and had a small ligament (which put it out for a couple of weeks) So I am hoping that generally he is sound.
 
My ex racer was easy enough to keep weight on once I got his diet right and rugged him accordingly but ridden wise you would get away with a day off, two at a push but you gave him three days off and you took your life in your hands getting back on, on the fourth day!

He wasn't worked particularly hard, we mainly happy hacked and I never appreciated it when people said 'needs working everyday' until I got him. He was a worker, he needed to work otherwise he was an idiot. The most loyal and mannerly horse who was also very laid back .. but only if he was in consistent work.
 
Be sure to get the cracked pelvis fully investigated (I'm sure you are anyway). They can struggle a bit with new types of work as it can be physically very different and more difficult than what they are used to, and I think a lot of the trouble people have with them can be due to pain and pressure when they are doing something different as they usually finish up with a few niggles of some kind - it might not bother him now, but it might in a different situation and they aren't known for soldiering on with pain!
 
Hackie said:
Be sure to get the cracked pelvis fully investigated (I'm sure you are anyway). They can struggle a bit with new types of work as it can be physically very different and more difficult than what they are used to, and I think a lot of the trouble people have with them can be due to pain and pressure when they are doing something different as they usually finish up with a few niggles of some kind - it might not bother him now, but it might in a different situation and they aren't known for soldiering on with pain!
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thanks for the advice, I am going to have a look this weekend and see firstly if I like him and then if I want to proceed I would do a 5 stage vetting telling the vet about the pelvis. But have to see if we even click first. I have tried now so many horses and there hasn't been that connection :)
 
Maybe I'm ultra practical, but not having a 'connection' isn't a massive deal for me, I tend to think that can come with time. My last horse and I certainly didn't have it, but I loved the bones of him by the time I sold him three years later (to relocate to the UK). I would have loved to have brought him but it just wasn't feasible. But, I was very fortunate to have had it with the horse before that, I literally fell in love with her the moment I saw her and she was very special, so it does happen.

Temperament, temperament, temperament, and soundness and confirmation are key when looking at OTTBs. You are looking at changing their job so if they have a good temperament and are sound that process will be a lot easier.
 
I have one (Who I have actually just advertised ;) ) She is fab. Best horse i've ever owned I've had an amazing 5years with her.Shes evented/showjumped/done showing and dressage, she is a pleasure to have round. Never sharp! She is beautiful to look at and in regards to the weight she is currently on a bare-ish paddock as gets fat so easy! Maybe I got really lucky.
 
In my experience:

I have a few TBs. they live out and as a result, they can go weeks and for a couple of them months, and they are exactly the same in behaviour when I next get on them as when in full work.

They need more feed to keep weight on once in full work. Can be slow to eat. Large feeds can faze them. Better twice a day than one large feed.

I hunt mine from the field, fully clipped out. So I put on lots of rugs. My TBs never get as hot as my IDx hunters. Easier in a way to manage that those that get hot. (Those early spring months and rug juggling is less of an issue for my TBS as to my IDx's!)

If buying a TB/ex racer, spend some time getting to know them. You want a kind eye and a mindset that wants to please you. Then you can forgive them their quirks (will trot past a combine harvester but will spook at a leaf in a hedge not forgetting overblown reactions to the tiniest of injuries.)

I would avoid TBs who have had majory injury like broken bones, esp if you want to event. Event horses need to be tough. TBs are not known for being tough. You need a survivor with an able body not something you will need to nurse through life #heartbreaking
 
I've ridden several for people. Just like any other breed, they're individuals. The ones who've raced do best with routine during the retraining part, but they soon settle. I've not yet come across a TB that needed ridden every day - several that enjoyed it though!
 
My ex racer was a complete dope on a rope. He was never fizzy, even when he would have months off over the winter. He didn't care if he was ridden every day or once in a blue moon, he always behaved in the same laid back manner.
I did have to feed him slightly more in the winter but he was a good doer in general. I found that the warmer he was in the winter, the less I actually had to feed him up.
He did have his problems though. His feet weren't great and he spent a lot of time bruising his soles. He had an old back injury which meant although he could jump and do dressage, he struggled to hold himself together for an extended period of time and so it could all be very hit and miss.
I adored him and was very sad to sell him but I had no choice. He is in the best retirement home with my best friends novice dad and hacks once a week and is loving life at a slower pace, so that alone proves not all TB's need riding every day.
Would I get another? Probably not. They are lovely but there are just too many unknown factors for me and I find it is a lot harder to undo other peoples bad habits and retrain them. I much prefer starting completely from fresh with a youngster. Occasionally, you will be lucky enough to get a superstar though. Just make sure to check for any old injuries etc. They may seem like a bargain at £500 but could end up costing a whole lot more in vets and physio bills.
 
I have owned two, and ridden a few more. The 1st horse I bough back in the 80's was an ex flat racer(was last twice as a 2 yr old , last once at 3). I had him at 3, what a little christian. Did everything with him, SJ, hunting,hacking, XC-he used to get a bit lively in winter when he was in if you didnt ride, but in summer you could leave him a month then just get on and ride away. Lived a happy healthy life till well into his 20s.
I used to ride another, 4 year old mare, won a lot of SJ then was sold to the hunt masters wife who hunted her with the Quorn for many years and when I last heard of her she was retired and 25.
I worked for a chap who broke 4 ex-racers to harness and drove them as a four-in-hand at FEI competitions.
I currently have a sweet kind 6yr old gelding by Subtle Power who came out of racing because of a failed wind op, I ride him bareback on the beach, and can leave him off for ages and just hop on no bother,
Choose wisely, sound, good strong feet and legs, and youl never get a better horse... good luck :)
 
My boy, is fab! He can be worked every day or I can work him once a month, he doesn't change. I didn't ride for 3 months due to a injury and couldn't ride and after 3 months took him for a plod, no issue! He is a big chap at 17hh and a US tb so chunky aswell. Does struggle with weight, putting it on! But once I have it right, he has 3 feeds a day in winter, He maintains it well! He is a typical tb is terms of injuries, he is very accident prone, but that's just him and he has thin soles. He often makes a mountain out of a molehill!! . Hoping to take him barefoot though this winter. He is very sensitive though and can be a little stressy. Fab to ride though! Love him to bits.
 
I've said it before and will no doubt say it again; if you get a sound, sane OTTB there is nothing you can't do together. Ideally a horse that retired sound from racing and was just too slow to hopefully reduce the risk of pre existing injuries/weaknesses but as with any horse there's no guarantee. However there are always a lot on the market and the quality varies hugely so you may need to see a lot of them to find your one!
 
I got an OTTB last Autum, who's the biggest pig ever! I've got an older TB who's a terrible eater & a very poor doer & vowed I wouldn't get another TB! New one eats anything you put in front of him & is a good doer. He's got an amazing,chilled out temperament, he's been on box rest for an injury for over 3 mths, eats well still,held weight & looks remarkably well(& sane!) for a horse who's only current exercise is 10-15 mins walking in hand.
 
whizzer said:
I got an OTTB last Autum, who's the biggest pig ever! I've got an older TB who's a terrible eater & a very poor doer & vowed I wouldn't get another TB! New one eats anything you put in front of him & is a good doer. He's got an amazing,chilled out temperament, he's been on box rest for an injury for over 3 mths, eats well still,held weight & looks remarkably well(& sane!) for a horse who's only current exercise is 10-15 mins walking in hand.
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I have one here who is like an overgrown pony, he eats anything, is a fairly good doer, is happiest living out with the ponies, is no different if ridden once in a while or every day, he originally came in on box rest and was totally chilled, ate constantly was pleased to go out but never fusses if he comes in for a day/ night.
He had terrible feet but they are now amazing, my osteo saw him this week and the first thing she said was what great feet he has, he is barefoot and has improved beyond recognition from when he arrived with flat feet, no heels and frogs that had crumbled away and almost disappeared, he is happy on all surfaces and has remained sound following the tendon injury he arrived with.
 
Or maybe look at a specialist rehoming centre like Heros or final furlong. People hang onto shared perceptions. I have had a LOT of ISH over the years (traditional ID x TB) and haven't had the famous laid back Irish temperament. Not one! I have had 2 big TB's who were trained for NH but were too slow so didn't race. The pure TB's were considerably easier to work with and both took the concept of being laid back to a ridiculous degree. I also had a TB as my first horse who was well produced and a nightmare to keep weight on. Trick is to send them into the winter fat and then they finish looking normal. Summer mine went down to 1 small feed and adlib hay.
 
With regards to the cracked pelvis - get the vet notes. If it was a simple stress fracture that healed no problem you shouldn't have any further issues, especially if you build the work up gradually. If the pelvis split and stepped then I would walk away if you want to event. There will be a weakness at the step 99% of the time to horse will be squint behind.

Either which way always be aware of the side that broke as the muscle may need more work on that side.

As to riding them every day I think mine would keel over with shock if he got ridden 2 days in a row! I simply don't have the time. I make time for 3 days before a show to ride him everyday which means dropping riding one of the others but they don't care lol!
 
Thought I would give a quick reply to this. I got my first horse about 2 weeks ago and he is a OTTB. He is so relaxed.. settled immediately and is such a dream. he is also much better behaved than most of the horses in my yard and shows them all up!!

He does eat like a pig and is super thing.. but I am loving having him and wouldn't dream of any other type of horse! Lets hope that lasts!!!!!
 
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