Sale of a difficult ex-racer

[Bellaboo18]

Ok thanks for the comments people. The only advice really to take away is get a vet work up which I’ve said I’d be willing to do. Not much else productive or supportive has come from this so further comments won’t be followed.

I'm glad you're willing to do the vet workup, that's clearly what he needs. Unfortunately there aren't any other productive/supportive options, he's clearly saying he's in pain. You could take up TPOs (incredible) offer which would ensure he gets the veterinary help he requires.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think the op has disappeared hopefully she will read TPO's offer.

 

[Miszeemare]

I had an ex racer by Fame and Glory (checked the name) notice the word Had! He was PTS following lots of rehab and vet work, he had kissing spines plus other issues. If you check the breeding line, they are very “quirky”, it was his behavioural issues that were the final straw. He was a lovely kind sole but he’s issues could not be overcome. He had no viable future unfortunately.

 

[leflynn]

I'm sure OP is still reading so...

Phillip Kirby has a good reputation. He's posted that they always take their horses back. So contact him.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=138508592659848

FWIW Mountain Glory looks like a big, strong horse in videos as a 4yr old. Probably not the type suitable for a novice or someone new to ex racers.

I'm central Scotland. I'd happily pay £1, to make it legal, and collect the horse on Sunday to solve your problem. I'd get a vet work up and deal with the outcome sensibly. The offer is there OP.

ETA: he was sold (or at least advertised) by his breeder/owner Sep 2022 with a declared tendon injury done in 2021 and treated with stem cells. Also someone to contact, alongside the trainer, if help is needed.

Got to love the Internet

Good advice, I have connections with the breeder/former owner also and I'm sure they would assist on a rehome if possible

 

[TPO]

Good advice, I have connections with the breeder/former owner also and I'm sure they would assist on a rehome if possible

Can't ask for more than that OP.

Previous posts of a similar ilk have always come down to the current owner wanting to make money on a sale to recoup their costs. Sometimes you're (generic) better off to cut losses and have a clear conscience.

Definitely worth contacting owner/seller and previous trainer.

OP is still active on here so I'm sure is reading.

 

[J_sarahd]

Having had an ex racehorse who showed similar problems and had to be pts two weeks ago due to a host of problems, I’d say there’s almost definitely something physical going on here and you’d be very wrong to sell him on. As others have said, even if you fully disclose what’s been happening, who’s to say that he won’t get passed on again with no disclosure.

Like miszeemare, my horse had kissing spine which, when treated, opened a can of worms. Her back was declared fine by vets and physios prior to her x-rays so I can say with full certainty that just because a vet says your horse’s back is fine, doesn’t mean it is. The behaviour being in the arena only would also cause me to think suspensories too. I would probably put my house on the fact that this horse is hurting somewhere.

Also, I don’t think it would be immoral to put this horse to sleep. Like I said, I highly doubt he is healthy from what you’ve said and my own experience. Even if this is purely behavioural, there really are worse fates than death for him.

 

[sbloom]

Pain.

And sadly even the RoR and rehabber organisations and individual yards tend, from what I can see, not get to the very bottom of things. These horses do mostly come out of racing with pretty dysfunctional bodies, they're, I'm sure, given a vet assessment, physio, then often lunged in gadgets and just made to get used to wrking in an outline, arena etc. I know there will be a bit more to it than that, but gadgets do more harm than good and do not train the horse how to move in an optimal way under a rider. The problems then just fester away and rear their heads later.

I recommend everyone really work to develop their eye, to see the tension in these horses, to see dysfunction, compensation and postural issues and only then to use that information daily with the horses they own and ones they're thinking of owning. I share the odd post about these sorts of courses, and many of the photos, videos etc I share help indirectly too on my FB page (I use my real name on here and the same photo). Equitopiacenter.com is a broad and inexpensive way to start getting into this and may lead you onto more in depth information from some great, knowledgeable practitioners in truly correct work.

I would talk to the vet about what they recommend, a 5 stage may be applicable, a performance workup might be more suitable, but be aware these can miss things, and quite significant things. Now there are more and more dissections of horses with known histories we see just how many of them have serious issues that vets couldn't find.

 

[poiuytrewq]

OP- You are the luckiest person who ever posted about this kind of problem.
I am "stuck" with a horse, I know how it can feel.
From what I can see you have an amazing offer of someone who knows what they are talking about and for some reason is willing to give your horse the time and money it needs, You also have a great sounding ex- trainer who claims to stand by his horses to fall back on if needs be.
You have two get out clauses. Just take one!

 

[scats]

I'm sure OP is still reading so...

Phillip Kirby has a good reputation. He's posted that they always take their horses back. So contact him.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=138508592659848

FWIW Mountain Glory looks like a big, strong horse in videos as a 4yr old. Probably not the type suitable for a novice or someone new to ex racers.

I'm central Scotland. I'd happily pay £1, to make it legal, and collect the horse on Sunday to solve your problem. I'd get a vet work up and deal with the outcome sensibly. The offer is there OP.

ETA: he was sold (or at least advertised) by his breeder/owner Sep 2022 with a declared tendon injury done in 2021 and treated with stem cells. Also someone to contact, alongside the trainer, if help is needed.

Got to love the Internet

That’s an incredible offer.
OP, if I were you and I really didn’t feel I wanted to continue with this horse but wanted to ensure he got a chance somewhere, then I would bite TPO’s hand off. She’s a good egg, many of us can vouch for that.

 

[southerncomfort]

FWIW op, we can all vouch for the exceptionally high level of care TPO gives to all equines in her care.

You'll not find a better home if you decide to cut your losses.

 

[TPO]

Aww you're too kind. I wouldn't blame OP for not giving their horse to a stranger on the Internet on the say so of other strangers on the Internet.

I do think OP should contact previous owner/breeder/seller and/or trainer.

 

[Milliechaz]

British thoroughbred rehabilitation centre in Lancaster take on ex racers to rehome that need more support. Think it's called their vulnerable horse programme

 

[Tiddlypom]

Aww you're too kind. I wouldn't blame OP for not giving their horse to a stranger on the Internet on the say so of other strangers on the Internet.

I do think OP should contact previous owner/breeder/seller and/or trainer.

I agree, TPO. Your offer was very generous, but your digging has revealed that there are former connections of this horse who ought to be the first port of call.

OP, you are still looking at the forum so will be aware. You and the horse have options.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Aww you're too kind. I wouldn't blame OP for not giving their horse to a stranger on the Internet on the say so of other strangers on the Internet.

I do think OP should contact previous owner/breeder/seller and/or trainer.

Iwas thinking about this thread out dog walking just now and your right. If I went into a new forum and had a moan about my horse then some unknown offered to buy him for £1 I’d be incredibly cautious and rightly so. I guess it’s easy for all of us to say wow go for that because we kind of “know you”
I’ll sell you a coloured for 50p instead

 

[fredflop]

In this situation the best thing appears to contact the trainer first.

However in other situations, can be tricky to know what to do first. I’d generally start off with getting teeth done under sedation from a vet specialist in dentist work, then followed up with the likes of Rob Jackson. (I’ve used him on ex racers and sorts out the issues other chiros etc don’t seem to pick up.) I’d then be looking at doing something like trt method for a month, see if behaviour improves.

If it doesn’t, money no object, vets for a full work up.

Limited funds, get the vet out at home to have a look, with the possibility of PTS on my mind.

 

[Amymay Again]

Aww you're too kind. I wouldn't blame OP for not giving their horse to a stranger on the Internet on the say so of other strangers on the Internet.

It’s no different to what the Op wants to do. The only actual difference is the price.

 

[Clodagh]

Philip Kirby offer rehoming for life for their horses. As has been said.

 

[Melody Grey]

Having had an ex racehorse who showed similar problems and had to be pts two weeks ago due to a host of problems, I’d say there’s almost definitely something physical going on here and you’d be very wrong to sell him on. As others have said, even if you fully disclose what’s been happening, who’s to say that he won’t get passed on again with no disclosure.

Like miszeemare, my horse had kissing spine which, when treated, opened a can of worms. Her back was declared fine by vets and physios prior to her x-rays so I can say with full certainty that just because a vet says your horse’s back is fine, doesn’t mean it is. The behaviour being in the arena only would also cause me to think suspensories too. I would probably put my house on the fact that this horse is hurting somewhere.

Also, I don’t think it would be immoral to put this horse to sleep. Like I said, I highly doubt he is healthy from what you’ve said and my own experience. Even if this is purely behavioural, there really are worse fates than death for him.

I have had the same experience unfortunately. From the video (just my opinion), there’s a lot of tail swishing which could indicate discomfort. Just my opinion, I know others will disagree or put it down to coincidence.

 

[SantaVera]

Write a very honest advert and discuss the horse at length with anyone who enquires about the horse.eta no horse is "wasted" as a field ornamental,no horse asks to be ridden,it just wants to eat and live with its mates.

 

[Amymay Again]

Write a very honest advert and discuss the horse at length with anyone who enquires about the horse

They don’t need to do that.

They have an offer on the table, and the back up of the ex trainer.

 

[sunnyone]

Whilst OP should be sorted , and it does appear that pain is involved in this instance, surely "horses for courses" should also be a consideration?
Not everybody, even these days, has or needs access to an arena. The horse could still be suitable for lots of other jobs.
Our own TB didn't make it on to a race course for numerous reasons, so was used by her trainer as a broodmare and then sold when her owner died. She hated wide open spaces with a vengeance, but was 110% with traffic on an A road, including double decker buses. She was also good in built up areas, woods, water, military helicopters, trains and tunnels, in short she was a happy hacker. But cross a golf course? No way Jose.

 

[TPO]

surely "horses for courses" should also be a consideration?

Part of that would be considering that you have thr knowledge, experience, ability, competence and confidence to rehome/retrain an ex racer and/or a "hot blooded" horse in general. My non racing TB was definitely the most difficult I've owned.

Part of owning any horse is assessing your own abilities, funds and access to/willingness to access help.

Part of owning any horse is assessing how much time you have to out into a horse and how much you can meet their needs. That differs person to person, for example I wouldn't buy a horse if my only livery option was individual turnout.

I love TBs, only second to QHs, and have a particular soft spot for ex racers (read also: sucker for a sob story). I've had doey ones and sharp as a tack ones, good doers and poor doers, need exercised regularly and lift and lay ones. A breed, or background, isn't one thing *but* an ex racing TB does tend to be higher maintenance and have more requirements/needs to be met than some other breeds or horses with different backgrounds.

While ex racers are generally cheaper to buy than others IME the cost of getting, and keeping, them healthy is much more than that of a "normal" horse. Their bodies go through so much, usually at a [too] young age and that can have serious detrimental effect. None of which is cheap to fix and maintain; in time or money.

There are quite a few good books about ex racers and countless pages of information online. There really is no excuse for ignorance when purchasing any horse.

So yes horses for courses, but the horses POV (course) should be the priority. Not just what someone wants right now.

 

[Goldenstar]

Poor horse , I hope he gets a soft landing somewhere .

 

[Poingsettia]

I agree, TPO. Your offer was very generous, but your digging has revealed that there are former connections of this horse who ought to be the first port of call.

OP, you are still looking at the forum so will be aware. You and the horse have options.

Was online an hour ago. Hope they have taken note of the advice given .

 

[Michen]

If TPO will take your horse please 100% take her up on it. Your horse, or you, couldn't do better.