Rehoming an Ex-Racehorse Advise Please!!!

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louise1967

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I would like to know any stories or some advise about having an ex racer. I love thoroughbreds and would love to rescue an ex racehorse as so many need homes.

I have been riding for 25 yrs since I was 13, had 2 horses, one of which was 3/4 thoroughbred and a complete nutcase and currently just have a little pony for my daughter. I havent had my own horse to ride for 7 yrs now,but have rode on and off for the last 7 yrs, but used to love XC & jumping and really want another horse. Are all Thoroughbred Nutters???? I do know a few quiet ones, any comments would be greatfully received.
 
there are a fair few places dedicated to racehorse rehabilitation, if you google it you will find lots of places
 
go somewhere where they spend loads of time picking you the right horse for the job. don't be tempted to take one of the track unless you know what you doing or like galloping everywhere!!
 
Hello - no, not all TB's are nutters but if you're a bit rusty then it isn't a route I'd take.

Ex racers really do need clear boundries and a confident rider - I love TB's but i wouldn't take on another ex racer as although I love my boy, there's been alot of tears along the way! Maybe in a few years yes but you really do need to know what you're doing (not saying you don't though!)
 
i have a tb called danny he last raced as a 5 yr old last july , he was sold at ascot sales in august , hes sane sensible laid back , great to handle ridden and on the ground , he goes first or last out hunting and doesnt bat an eyelid at anything , i,ve hads kids ponies more fizzy than him lol , my other tb gelding harry is 18 , never raced , not fizzy and is so laid back most of the time hes asleep , in fact i think he thinks he should have been born a cob
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I had one until last year, she was a lovely horse. Had an old cannon injury but it was only scar tissue. She was in some ways a "typical" tb, a bit spooky and nappy to start off with but over time she became a lot more confident. It was a matter of gaining each other's trust, and a little help from magnesium oxide which really helped as a calmer; she was initially a bit of a nutcase on the yard.

She was, like many, brilliant in traffic - would sometimes flip at a sheep or tree trunk, but even the biggest truck or fastest boy racer wouldn't phase her. She taught me a lot, not least a velcro seat, and I was devastated when she developed arthritis and also narcolepsy. Can't have another riding horse just yet, but when I do I am seriously considering another ex-racer because they can be fantastic. If you can find a half decent one, and are confident in the saddle, I would absolutely recommend them, 100%. In fact I'd have to admit, they're a bit addictive...Good luck!
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I bought my first exracer last year and haven't looked back. Don't get me wrong, we've had our ups and downs but I love him to bits! He's a great horse, loves working, aims to please even though he doesn't always understand what I'm asking from him! The hardest bits been finding the brakes as racehorses are trained to go faster the more contact you have on the reins!! Standing still at the mounting block was also an issue as normally jockeys are legged up whilst the horses are still moving!! With time and patience they can make great riding horses, true athletics!! Plus they've been handled from a young age so normally great to load, shoe and mine's so calm in the stable!! He's strong to lead at times so I use a chifney a lot but racehorses are led everywhere in chifneys so will be used to it!!
Like other people have said you can always go to a rehoming place and get one already retrained if you don't feel ready to take on the responsibility of retraining yourself! Or the time to do it as routine is a big factor in it!! My boy knows if I'm even 5 mins late getting to him and my god does he let me know!!!
 
I had a break from riding for about 10 years and 8 months ago I bought an ex-race TB mare - yes she is a bit nuts but she is the most wonderful and obliging girl! T

hey just need to be taught and schooled right. Having been broken as a racer all she knows is GO! She gets a bit confused at times and rushes allot (but I think that is the breed rather than anything else).

You'll need patience and confidence but the rewards are totally worth it. I wouldn't swap mine for anything.
 
Some great advice already given.
What I will add is that ex-racers thrive on routine. They are used to quite a strict one, and most really want to and enjoy work.
TB's take a lot from their rider/handler, and are used to people taking charge in a confident way. So confident people get on very well with them. If the rider/handler makes a big deal of things, then they do too.
Most are great with traffic too! (you should see what they put up with training in Newmarket)
 
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Some great advice already given.
What I will add is that ex-racers thrive on routine. They are used to quite a strict one, and most really want to and enjoy work.
TB's take a lot from their rider/handler, and are used to people taking charge in a confident way. So confident people get on very well with them. If the rider/handler makes a big deal of things, then they do too.
Most are great with traffic too! (you should see what they put up with training in Newmarket)

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Exactly what I was trying to say but put better
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Thanks for all your wonderfull advise. When I decide to get my next horse, probably the end of this year or start of next year, I think I would like a TB, like I said my last horse was 3/4 TB and she was nuts, and after 3 months of tears at the start thinking what have I done, I became more confident so did she and she was brill after that, always a lively mare but we understood eachother. I love thoroughbreds, I just cant help it. I think if I get an ex-racer I will get one from a centre where they have started the rehibilitation already and can match me with the right one. Thanks!!!! all of you that answered my post xx
 
I HAVE ONE!!! and love him loads!! He came from the Darley rehoming program and is an angel!!! He is a little nuts to hack out but has chilled out so much now he has settled in PM if you want more info. go get one they are awesome!!
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I have 3. The only one which i would say could be naughty is my chestnut mare and i think that has more to do with her sex and colour. My one gelding only came out of racing 2 years ago now, and he is so laid back I'm not surprise he was no good as a race horse, you take him out for a hack and he come back yawning his head off. I love my TB's i would not have any other breed, but then i did work with race horses for 10yrs so i know the breed so well.
 
I've had mine for nearly 12 years now...I got her at 9, she had raced from 2-5 years old.
She is fantastic!!! Tho I have had lots of tears in the beginning, well for the first few years really!!!, this has come more from the treatment she recieved, probably after racing, tho some of her characteristics are from racing.
Routine, routine, routine...very important...
Black and white...keep things black and white so they know where they are and what is expected of them.
Tend to be one person horses...very loyal to their one constant person.
Bright, quick to learn, sensitive, can be sharp!!!
My lady was fab too ride...brave, intelligent and lovely paces.
I realised early on that my mare was more intelligent than me...she has spent many years training me!!!!
I think they are wonderful but with a huge learning curve!!
 
try www.exracersclub.com

They have a rehoming forum and loads of knowledgable peeps with their own ex-racers

I guess ex-racer/TBs are no different from any other breed. They are all individuals, I know folk who's ex-racers are really laid back and people with cobs/natives that are a "handful". Good luck with your search

Jx
 
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I've had one of mine three years now and have always wondered if he actually has a pulse!!! (and he came off the track!)

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LOL, he sounds like Snowy!
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You really can't generalise with ex racehorses - it's like stating that all chestnut mares are nutters, or that all cobs are plods.

If you choose carefully, I am sure that you'll find the right ex racer for you, and will have years of fun together.

Good luck.
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