Owning an ex racehorse

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Footlights

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I am in the process of looking for an ex racehorse to buy and wanted to ask those who have bought/owned one a few questions?

What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems

Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?

I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?

Thanks :-)
 
Mine is as crib biter but had no problems, never had colic or any health issues really. she is in her 20's now and still hacking and looking great. we have a club scotnorthexracers.co.uk everyone is really helpful and supportive.
 
my lad had a twisted pelvis from a racing injury, and also had damage to his hocks so they swell up when he isn't exercised for a day or two. he also has a skin infection and dodgy teeth. he cost me a fortune between vets, osteo and dentist!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Trac...4026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326984294&sr=8-1
is a very good book

One bit of advice i would give is to make sure you have a professional on-hand to help you out. I am riding 30 years and would consider myself a competent rider, but i'd never broken a young horse in, and i was missing huge chucks of riding education that i needed for my lad. I had always been on horses that had been properly broken and understood taking a contact, bending, balance etc, so it was a huge challenge realising he knew nothing, and worse than knowing nothing, he had been taught something else and needed to be COMPLETELY retrained from scratch. I battled along for a few months making progress but then hitting walls when he just wasn't understanding what i was trying to teach him, and i didn't know 100% what i was trying to teach him either! It was very frustrating for the two of us.

Then he ended up with a professional for three weeks and came back a much improved, happier horse who understood the basics properly. I would strongly advise you do the same if you feel like you don't have the knowledge to retrain him without a book. I had really wanted to retrain him myself, but for the horses sake I eventually gave up on my ego and sent him off. he came back mentally and physically happier and better able to work.

as regards taking out and hacking, there is no way to answer that unfortunately - depends on the rider's level, the horses personality, the feed it's on, the turnout it has etc. There is no way to predict it, unless the horse is a complete dope on a rope (which some can be)

my lad has been so challenging, tbs are so clever and sharp. He is the most lovable horse, but i know i will always have a horse whose default stress reaction is to rear or spin, out of the blue at any moment. he has got 100% better, but the reality is i can never tune off and go for a lazy hack as he can be fine, head down ambling round, and then spin in a second over nothing.

saying that, i love him to bits, he is gorgeous, a total sweetheart and has lovely floaty paces but he will just always be a challenge and require that i am on my game more than another horse i had before!
 
I got a 4yr old exracer from leominster sales,to good a bargin to miss :D:eek:. He didnt have any problems regarding injuries as such, found out after we got him hes got abit of a locking stiffle. It doesnt really effect him now, if he has a change in exercise(if i start doing alot more/less) then it sometimes starts locking again but he doesnt care.

Havent really looked into any books to be honest, sorry no help there.

He had 1 mild hit of colic, but i dont really think that it had much to do with him racing previousely. It wasnt serious luckly. He was acting like nothing had happened the next day :rolleyes:

I dont really have anyone to hack out with very often so not really much help on that one. Though hacking in general he his an absolute diamond! I have managed to go on a hack with a couple of mates and he was very good. We also babysat a youngster (i kown he is himself pretty much) who hadnt been off the yard much and he gave her alot of confidence.
We havent tried fun rides yet, hopeing to this year :eek::D but hopefully he should take it in his stride, main reason for not doing it yet is not having transport. (had him about 2years now)

I havent really done an alfull lot with him so for the amount of work i have put into him he is a complete star! Just enjoy whatever you by and treat it like an induvidal. Not all ex-racers are as fragile as everyone makes them out to be. They can be hardy good doers.

I wouldnt be without my boy, hes amazing and trys to keep me safe and do what i ask at all times.:D
 
Mine’s a cribber too, hasn’t coliced in 2.5years of ownership, is utterly stunning, treated him for ulcers in 2010 and since then he’s become a good doer, gets fed a handful of chaff and looks fab! Was barefoot for two years but now has fronts back on. Not a dope but still safe as houses, plus he’s utterly stunning!
 
I am in the process of looking for an ex racehorse to buy and wanted to ask those who have bought/owned one a few questions?

What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems

I had two. One of mine had bar fired front tendons prior to when I got him. He was never lame and it never caused any problems with jumping or galloping etc. He was very sound, possibly because his tendons are therefore 'stronger?' The other was not bar fired but had no issues.

Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?

Sorry can't help with this one!

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?

None at all.

I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?

Both were good as gold already, so straight away! I will admit I had a little bit of nappiness when hacking alone but only sometimes....a rear once however overall neither put up much reluctance once they were on their way they were fine!

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?

Mine were brilliant, would have another without a doubt although I appreciate they are all different and maybe I was lucky!
 
Hi Emma, I've had several and looked after hunt horses which were ex-racehorses and ridden for other people.

My current horse has had a minor suspensory injury and I've had him scanned and he's fine to do any job including eventing, needs lots of walking though as he's had 2 years off. Most of the hunters which were former racehorses had previous injuries, one had a bowed tendon and 2 were fired and they managed to hunt hard with no problems.

Never had any stomach troubles, some are very good doers, some not so. Adlib haylage or hay is the best thing to keep weight on. One of the hunters had a colic op in training but he never had a problem when I looked after him.

Haven't read any books on the subject.

Fun rides etc - depends on individual temperament, I took one horse to a busy x-country schooling fun day 6 weeks after he raced and he was a star. He's now a pony club eventer.

I you are buying straight out of training, I usually find trainers pretty honest - they'll tell you how it is and remember some yards never take horses on the roads at all so may need introducing to traffic.
 
ive had my ex racer for 3 years, he windsucks, and has had gastric ulcers, but apart from being very accident prone thats the only issues ive had with him.
hes excellent on roads and in heavy traffic, and as long as he's at the front is fine to hack in large groups, and is a star on his own. he's never going to be a show horse due to numerous scars on his hing leg from injuries, but id have no qualms about taking on another ex racer when my guys time is up.

id personally say theres more pros than cons.
 
I see ex-racers in a whole different light to most people as I work with them on a daily basis and I know the horses I take home inside out.

Speak to any previous trainers the horse has had as they are very honest about the horses. They don't want to get a bad name for themselves by telling you a load of bullcrap.

I can honestly say that 95% of the horses in our yard will hack out in busy traffic either on their own or in company. They are used to working in strings so having other horses around then usually isn't a problem. Of the horses that get brought into our yard from other yards, again most of them are fine in traffic and to hack out, ride out etc. In the stable they are usually good to do. You get the odd grumpy one but that's the same in any walk of life.

If it's your first experience of racehorses then I would strongly recommend getting a National Hunt horse as they are usually more level headed and have had some basic schooling to allow them to be taught to jump. They are also more used to a slow pace of life. Saying that I have a 5furlong sprinter straight out of a factory and he is the laziest horse I have ever sat on! He just can't be bothered. This is making reschooling him slightly harder than the others but he is getting there.
 
Emma13 said:
I am in the process of looking for an ex racehorse to buy and wanted to ask those who have bought/owned one a few questions?

What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems

Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?

I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?

Thanks :-)
Click to expand...


Ifs your first time why not look at Darley Rehoming or Moorhouse - it will take a lot of the guesswork out. Other than that there are no hard and fast rules as each horse is so different. You could buy an ex racehorse that never actually raced ( I did!).
 
Thank you all for your comments and experiences, it's been a really interesting read!

I am going through Darley, so rebacking and basic schooling would have already been done.

They told me that the horse had a ligament injury when it was a yearling and had chipped a bone in it's leg which had been operated on. That was back in 2009 and it has been sound since.

What I am most worried about is the cost - I think of TB's (especially ex racers) as being accident and illness prone! I suppose it depends from horse to horse!
 
We have owned many an ex-racehorse, all turned into polo ponies and hunters.
All very easy to deal with- not at all highly strung. We always had ours out 24/7 and dad is sure that is what chills them out. They are actually no more costly than any other horse. Ours live out throughout the winter on their holidays, no rugs, minimal hay and they really suit this!
Darley is definitely a good place to start!
 
I don't find mine any more expensive than any other horse to keep, he wears a med weight rug, he has 2 large haynets which are very rarely completely empty and now fed fast fibre. He's sensible and has loads of self-preservation and never stresses or panics. He wintered out in a herd last winter and was fine. Again down to the individual temperament. I have just started long-reining him and he's confident and happy to do this without fuss.
 
I've had two of my own and helped to reschool others.

Of my own, Rebel, who I lost in October was the easiest horse ever and if I could have cloned him, I would.
A bugger in the stable - you always had to watch where his head was as he wouldn't think twice about taking a chunk out of you, but put a saddle on and he was a dream. I could hack him anywhere. Yes, he would shy occasionally but I wouldn't have wanted him to be a donk - it just added to his personality. He did a bit of low level dressage which he did well at too. When he came to me he had done both superficial flexor tendons - they were both seriously bowed. Yet they never ever affected him. The only time he went lame was when he fractured his leg in the field. He was a horse of a lifetime to me.

Blue, my 10 year old mare has been a different kettle of fish. She came to me with no injuries or blemishes just over a year and a half ago. Her vets fees are somewhere in the region of £18k (yes you have read it right). She has had serious sinus and tooth problems where she nearly died, had a bone chip removed from her fetlock a couple of months later, has bilateral bone spavin, bilateral navicular and a hind limb suspensory ligament problem. Initially she showed great promise for dressage and hacked out alone, but as the different lameness problems took hold she started napping out hacking and became dangerous. She is now having at least six months off before we even contemplate starting anything again - whether she will ever be able to have any reasonable sort of ridden life is not known at the moment.

After I lost Rebel I went out and bought a little coloured 2 year old pony with unknown breeding. Best thing I ever did!
Maybe one day I will get another ex-racer, but for the time being I won't. They're not difficult to ride - they are fantastic, but you have to be prepared for things to go wrong as they did in my case. Good luck if you decide to buy one.
 
Wow 18k! I bet your insurance company love you!!

I'm sorry to hear you've had so many problems - I suppose that could happen with any horse though, not necessarily an ex racer.

I suppose I won't know whether he is the right horse for me until I meet him, and luckily I believe darley do a 3 month trial period too.
 
I am in the process of looking for an ex racehorse to buy and wanted to ask those who have bought/owned one a few questions?

What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems

I was very lucky with my horse, he didn't have any injuries while he was racing :) the only injury he did suffer with was a pulled back muscle from him messing about in the field! however this was not to much of a problem and didn't need a vet, I just walked him out in hand a couple of times to stop it from seizing up with plenty of rest (still turned out) then walked him out in his saddle but no rider, then when he seemed sound again I walked him out ridden then he was all sound after that.

Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?

Buying and Reschooling Ex-racehorses by Christopher Coldrey and Victoria Coldrey.

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?

Never had a problem with colic or anything else but I always keep an eye out for any signs of possible stomach ulcers as ex racers are prone to these at any time throughout there life, also keep any eye on their feet as TB`s tend to have flat feet that can cause problems... I had my horses shoes removed once out of racing to harden his feet up and allow a better hoof wall to grow down I also had his shoes removed as I turned him away for a year and a half so he could get used to his new life slowly and give him time for his muscles to change, other wise you run the risk of tying up.

I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?

After a year and a half I brought him back into work very slowly, with lots of ground work and lunging so he would respond to my voice and treated him like a 3 year old who had never been touched (he was turned 7 and a half) and this worked very well and now he takes everything new in his stride! It was about 6 months from start of lunging until I was confident to take him out on the roads and again took everything in his stride... He has never tried to throw me, buck or rear, if he does get spooked he tends to rock on the spot which I find very easy to sit too, we are planning to do our first sponsored ride this summer.

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?

Treat your ex racer like a youngster, forget that he has been backed and treat him like everything is new (even turn out) if he does play up make sure there is not a reason for it before resorting to discipline, be patient and give him plenty of love and TLC, look after him and he will be more inclined to look after you, stay in control and don`t stand for any nonsense but be fair and listen to him.
hope this is helpful.
good luck x
 
What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems
Reggie had done a front suspensory, I think, which was his career ending injury. He spent 2 years in a field chilling and came totally sound and has very clean legs and so far has stood up to eventing at BE100 very well. Touch wood.
He'd also had a fall, which has resulted in some back problems, but nothing that working properly and physio hasn't helped tremendously.


Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?
The RoR people are brilliant, and their books and DVDs are worth watching/ reading. But not really... He's mostly been treated as any other horse with regards to his reschooling.

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?
Nope! He does like being out 24/7 and gets stressy if he's in too long... And he doesn't like loud noises. But that's just him really- he's a sensitive soul who needs people to be nice to him!


I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?
Since day 1... Literally, he hacked from day 1 in company or alone without a problem. He's totally snaffle mouthed and will go in front or behind, lead small children on ponies on cantering hacks, go galloping and then mooch on a long rein with my mum on board. He's the safest hack around.

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?
Enjoy them and don't be afraid of getting proper help for every stage. Reg is a delight to own, and a really super horse- he's now competing at BE100 and hopefully will move up to Novice in the next year or so. He's been reschooled by my sister (she was 15 when she got him, now 18) and despite it being a bit blind leading the blind he's remained an utter joy to have about.

Much love for the Reggie pony, he's a star and a member of our family as much as he is a working horse :D
 
My boy wasn't injured. I've had him 2 months. He's hacked out from week one and is schooling and jumping simple courses nicely. He wind sucks so I took his stable door away and use a chain instead. No problems. Great horse. Rising 6. Came to me direct from race yard less than a month after last race.
 
Have you looked at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre website. They have horses of all ages and take a lot of care to match you up. They also have excellent aftercare help and will takes their horses back if things don't work out or your circumstances change.
 
Footlights said:
I am in the process of looking for an ex racehorse to buy and wanted to ask those who have bought/owned one a few questions?

What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems

none, sound as a pound, bombproof and slow as a boat :D - that was the what the trainer had to say about her

Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?
errm, no, not really. For me, an ex racehorse is like any other well bred youngster, only used to discipline and traffic

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?
the only small health problem was an allergic reaction to a particular brand of feed that resulted in a rash - not too serious and easy to treat and I suppose not TB specific, so to speak

I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?
I bought her from the field, she last raced in May, I boutght her in August and basically started from scratch in about October, with her first solo hack around xmas, in company she is even easier than on her own

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?
It's not so much about ex racers, but any horse - the less starch you feed it, the easier your life will be :)

Thanks :-)
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Just enjoy your new horse and don't treat it any different only because it ran fast around a track ;)
 
Footlights said:
I am in the process of looking for an ex racehorse to buy and wanted to ask those who have bought/owned one a few questions?

What injuries had your horse obtained before coming to you and did these ever show themselves again when in your hands? i.e. tendon/ligament problems

He didn't have any that I was aware of when I bought him, as far as I know he retired sound just a bit slow for racing!

Can you recommend any good books to read regarding retraining an ex racehorse?
As lolo says the RoR are fab, lots of great DVD'd and clinics to attend too :)

Did you ever have any problems with colic, stomach ulcers, or any thing else health related because of their racing life?
Nope, he cribs but it doesn't affect him in anyway

I know each horse is different, but generally how long did it take before you could take them out hacking with other horses or go on a sponsored ride without too many problems?
Hacked out from day one, he has exciting moments the same as any other horse. He's utterly bombproof though and normally ends up in the lead (all others walk too slow for him). He's started learning to hack out alone and was fine pre-box rest too.

And anything else that you think would be useful for me to know?
Get ready for lots of feed research/dilemmas as they can be sensitive to feed or some can take a while to get it right (took me 6 months, but now he's looking fab).
Normally they are all bright as a button and pick things up very quickly (mine does) so they keep you on your toes, they all seem to be characters too :D

Thanks :-)
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They are all different ;)
 
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