Re-homing a retrained ex racer

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ChestnutConvert

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Basically i am thinking of doing the above. It would be a 'sane' one that has been re trained already from one of the larger ex racehorse rescue places.
I would be using him for hacking, fun dressage and all round fun i guess nothnig too heavy.

Would it be advisable to take one on?

I know experience and time comes into it but i have both to a good degree. Just tips and good stories to get an idea and balance up the options.

Ta.
 
I have an ex racer, got him a year ago. I think I would class him as one of the relatively sane ones, although the fitter he gets the sharper he gets!

He is a super horse and great fun to ride. He is a bit tricky on the ground but is improving all the time. He is great to box/shoe/clip though. I hack him alone and in company and am taking him out affiliated dressage at elementary and we are doing our first area festival in 2 weeks.

I think the things I would suggest you consider are that ex racers can be very very sharp and spooky-my boy is fab but every now and then he will spin. They are handled differently on the ground than 'pet' horses and can take some work in this department as well. Having said that they have been out to big race meetings and seen lots of stuff (but leaves still try to eat my horse!)

So I would say go for it but maybe ride a few first if you havent already-they are not for everyone!

J
 
I have one, although she isn't retrained. She is a dope on a rope to handle and needs a schooling whip to ride with as she is a bit lazy! She isn't that spooky but will spin if she doesn't like the look of something.
Go for it! Up until April I was a "natives all the way" kind of person, but I think if I find another TB like Millie I'll have it like a shot!
 
Like any other horse, if the training was done well you will have a well mannered horse you can enjoy.

If it has a long racing career it will mean it had come to the ridden horse game a bit later than horses from the trad riding horse background, but TB's are a smart breed (as much as you can generalise about any animal) and can adapt really well.

They have probably seen a lot that other horses haven't by being in the racing environment and this can either make for a chilled out, unphased horse (like mine), or one that gets excited as it associates show noises like tannoy's etc with its old job.

Another generalisation (mostly based on mine and TB's I know) they have a good work ethic and like to work/learn so the variety of activities you are thinking of would probably be good for them.

Really down to you looking at the key things in any horse, temperament, confirmation and attitude.

I bought mine and have retrained him myself (with help from good friends, instructors)- not always easy but very rewarding and I know he has taught me far more than I have taught him.

Look at ExRacers club they have a lot of information, stories etc

Good luck finding the horse for you.
 
A retrained ex racehorse is just like any other horse!

I think the things I would suggest you consider are that ex racers can be very very sharp and spooky-my boy is fab but every now and then he will spin.
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Not so - no more than any other horse. I know plenty that are lazier and dopier than most warmbloods or native ponies.

OP - judge each horse on an individual basis as to whether it is right for you. Some will have quirks, as any horse can have - just be very clear about what you can and can't deal with.
 
those re homing places are good, although the cost of avtually taking one on is quite high once uyou look into it. I did and then ended up with a TB who i am now retraining myself but i am experienced rider and have ridden a fair few ex racers so i am not phased. However mine is lovely on the ground but totally changes once under saddle, he is a tense, wound up pr*t for want of a better word, but he is slooowly getting used to being tacked up not meaning its off to the gallops!! Although he has just had 3weeks off with an abscess and a kick so will be fun on sat when i sit on him again.
He is an absolute gentin his stable but is rushy to the field has to go out on lungeline during winter as he has a tendancy to bounce into the fencing!!
BUT he raced for 7years hunted and p2p for 1 yr and has only been out of that atmosphere for 15months being brought into work may this year. However i love him to pieces even though i have stil got another year easily before we can compete and he is still spooky to hack es[ecially if fit.
So from what you have said a retrained one definately seems the better option for yourself. As i ahve just realised how much work mine is taking!! haha
Go for it they are very rewarding horses but you have to keep there brains busy or thats when they start spooking at nothing as rthey are bored!!
 
I've ridden a few TB's over the years and quite like them. To be honest the WB that i am just giving up can be quite spooky, spin, stubborn b*ugger at times! Okay so i lost my nerve at the beginning but soon learnt to get on with things.

I guess i would like the chance to have a breed i like (although i like lots) and to have the retraining started but for us to progress.....will see soon!
 
I love a nice tb! Since I've had my mare I've always said that if I was to get another horse it would deffinatly be another ex racer.

Mine can be sharp, can be moody and protective of her stable but mainly when she has her breakfast or dinner.

She loves to be ridden and keeping her mind active going out and doing things!

She loves to jump and is a real nice horse to own. I'd deffinatly go for another mine does have her down sides but love her!

If you've taken in everything, experience wise and money wise (mines going to cost a lot this winter feed etc) but she's worth it! Love them!
 
Originally Posted by Jmillwood
Well if it makes you feel better in 12 hours I will be on route to collect my first ex racer! Excited/scared!
I can imagine how you feel. I'm sure you will never regret it! Keep us informed and good luck!
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Thanks Sarah_horsey ......I will do a new post tomorrow and keep you all informed!
 
lots available on the exracers club website. We have retrained a couple and found them keen to please. Far less spooky than our old Conniex too !!
 
Iv owned mine for 5 years now and he's my horse of a lifetime! Love him to bits!! He's one of the neurotic ones, very sharp, naps and is led in a chiffney as can be very strong when he wants to be!!! Can't compete him as he gets so stressed when in that environment and had to take him out of livery and bring him home as he couldn't cope with too much hustle and bustle! Sounds like a nightmare, reading that back!!! On the plus side, he doesn't spook easily, can move when he wants too (like to ride something with a bit of spark!! and he has a heart of gold! No matter how silly he can get, I know he'd never hurt me intentionally! He's well mannered in the stable, can occasionally get a bit above himself (was cut late) but can soon tell him off verbally and he listens and takes note!! I have a very strong bond with him and trust him impeccably! I just love tbs in general, their intelligence, willingness to please. My boy was untrained also, but adapted to dressage very well, quick learners. Just make sure you can give them plenty of routine, they thrive on it!
 
Reg is the nicest horse we've owned- his stable manners are impeccable, he's sweet and safe out hacking and never pulls or gets strong. He has dopey moments and does self-harm on an alarming scale- he rolled repeatedly on the same flint... After the first moment when it carved into his flank, you'd think he'd have realised it was hurting! But overall is a joy to own and care for- he can go galloping round the belts one day and then go out with a load of 12hh ponies with their tiny jockeys and nanny them along while they go for canters and he'll lollop along at the back. His retraining has done entirely by my sister, not by anyone with any experience or lots of background in dealing with them.
 
broke_but_happy said:
I have one, although she isn't retrained. She is a dope on a rope to handle and needs a schooling whip to ride with as she is a bit lazy! She isn't that spooky but will spin if she doesn't like the look of something.
Go for it! Up until April I was a "natives all the way" kind of person, but I think if I find another TB like Millie I'll have it like a shot!
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i have one that sounds almost exactly the same. not retrained, just rested and hacked for 3 years. i wouldn't say he's spooky at all but can spin if confronted with too small a gap to pass a tractor, things like that. but he will always go where he's told with a smack and a growl if need be. out hacking alone he is a bit sharp at times but totally safe, a dobbin in company. usually dope on a rope, but definitely likes routine, he gets stressy and fidgety to handle sometimes when i have to ride in the afternoon or something else happens out of the ordinary. he's my first proper horse, totally not what i was looking for but when it comes to getting my next one, i'd bite the owner's hand off if i find another like him. i've had to adapt to him, but i wouldn't change him for the world.

ETA - mine just doesn't get dressage. started jumping a few weeks ago though and he's now jumping like a pro, considering he had never even seen a coloured pole until this june!
 
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