Rehoming ex-racers questions

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dragonflys

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From reading posts on here i have seen that a few people have rehomed ex-racers.

I have some experience with ex-racers but was wondering what they would be like to 'nanny' youngsters when going out on first road hacks etc?
They usually seem very good with traffic but dont know if this would be asking too much of one.
I need a horse that can do this as i have 2 nearly 4 yr olds but no one with a seen it, been and done it type to help me take them out on their first trips.
I can offer a lovely home and life, no hard work or competing, and just wondered if an ex-racer would fit the bill!
Thoughts appreciated.
 
i can only go from the experience of my ex racer. And that is that he was excellent on roads providing he was part of a group. Initially he had no experience whatsoever of being independant or leading a group - it took a lot of patience to teach him!
 
Hello,
I would say yes. I have had 2 ex racers, and have worked on racing yards, one of my horses was absolutely BOMBPROOF in all types of traffic, he was unbelievably good, never met a horse like it!! The other was perfect but did get het up, but never minded traffic! I would say it depends on the ex racehorse, it would fit the bill but id suggest riding out a few times in traffic before you buy!! Hope that helps!!
 
All of mine have been 110% in traffic and on the roads, alone and in company.
beaware where they come from though as my most recent chap came from a yard that he was born at and had never been on a road in his life as they were based on a very busy main road.

However he took to it straight away and is 100% bombproof!! :)
 
Mine was exceptionally bad (been confirmed by others not just my opinion!) I put up with him for 3.5 years but just had to rehome him as my daughters pony is recently broken and it was just to dangerous accompanying her out on him.
He was very jackyl amd hyde though he very quietly nannied him for the first couple of outings on the road but no way could i trust him with my daughter on the pony as opposed to another adult.
My friend however has one that i now borrow to accompany her and on the days its windy or very busy etc my daughter rides the safer of the 2....the ex racer! and i ride the pony.

I think you would have to be very very careful, probably one straight out of racing is not going to be the best idea as they are "unknown" often having never really been ridden out on the roads etc.
If you can find one that has been ridden as a normal horse and proved itself to be safe and quiet then yes they are a lovely choice.
 
My 4 yr old ex racer is brilliant on the roads so are the pointers I ride out for.
As with any horse, it depends on the charcter of the particular one. some as with cob's KPWN, NF anything can turn themselves inside out at traffic.
 
Thanks for replies.

I had thought of going to the rehoming racehorse centres as opposed to a yard, but sounds like it might be worth considering.

Thanks again :)
 
My young ex racer is 110% in traffic. however that is not good, he is so unbothered by it he will just ignore it/walk in front of it etc. he is not easy to hack, gets very excited and when he is going home he is going home, and a lorry in his way will not stop him!
 
My ex-racer was suprisingly good with traffic. He's good when out with other horses, and not too bad when out on his own so long although I don't trust him to go anywhere too busy just yet.

He is, however, a pain when on grassy bridlepaths. He gets so excited (presumably thinks I want him to gallop) and usually starts to run backwards (napping).
He does this whether hes out on his own or with other horses. Hes getting slightly better now he realises Im not going to make him run, but I still have to becareful when going down any new paths or alongside fields hes not been to before!

I'd definitly recommend try-before-you-buy. Ask to take the horse out for a short hack when you view it.

Good luck!

http://www.tipsandbits.com
 
Think they would be great for the job and so many needing homes. My ex racer is great in traffic, had a issue with white lines :confused: but is fine now!!!! not to mention travels well
 
I bought my 8 year old mare straight out of racing last April and was warned that she had NEVER been on the roads. As it was, I bought her and after about 7 weeks she was incredibly ill and has not long ago come out of hospital. I started roadwork with her last weekend - took her out on her own and this weekend I hacked her down a busy "A" road with cars and lorries going by at 60mph+. I had led her out in hand before and had long reined her for a couple of weeks, and she doesn't seem remotely bothered about anything. She is more quiet than my 21 year old ex-racer. I think it really depends on the temperament of the horse in question. When I bought mine, I did make sure she had been ridden at the front of the string though, so she wouldn't just rely on going behind another horse, so if you're going to get one out of racing, it's worth asking if they have been at the front.
 
I think being good in traffic would really vary from horse to horse quite a bit. My daughter's ex racer is pretty good with traffic of all shapes and sizes, but randomly became unsettled about drains in the road and apparantly flower pots.
 
i've had lots, & only had 1 that wasn't great, & TBH he was fine with another horse, just not on his own, generally mine have all been V sane & sensible about traffic, i think they see so much in thier lives!
 
like any horse it does depend on the one you get. ex racers have been professionally kept and worked and are used to routine and disipline. if you cant offer routine, discipline and good riding then it might not be ideal. if you can offer routine, discipline and plenty of work and are capable of riding through a sharp moment with confidence then an ex racer could be ideal. good luck, a nice TB is a joy.
 
our 11yr old ex racer is mostly so laid back he's almost a donkey, with the exception of wheelie bins and plastic covered greenhouses. He is unflappable.
He still spooks a lot, but it's just a slight jump at wheelie bins or plastic covered greenhouses but doesn't take off, just jumps slightly, needs a lead down steps but is a dream to ride and would make a good schoolmaster for youngsters, he's 17hh by the way, just a big baby
 
Mine is seriously good with traffic :p Nothing phases him, livestock lorries, buses with hydraulic breaks, tractors... However a scary looking bin or some mud on the floor can cause problems :rolleyes: He's very good though, better on the roads than any of the other breeds I own/have owned. Also he's young and not done a whole lot. He will hack by himself with no problems as far as I know, though haven't ever gone further than a potter down the road.

If you could give an older ex racer (no-one seems to want these) a home, that would be an admirable thing to do :)
 
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