tb ex racer long term health

[njc]

I`ve recently viewed a tb ex racer. He appears in very good shape, however his back hooves are a little cracked and he seems to have long toes on the front. He was also a flat racer for 5 years between the ages of 2 and 7. He raced 86 times in total, with wins and placings. He is now 10 and has had some retraining.
I `ve read a few ex racer posts on here but not come across anyone with a horse who has done so much racing before moving on. I would get him vetted but before I go down that route are the feet and the race history a recipe for disaster in terms of future lameness etc. I`m looking to do lots of hacking and a bit of jumping.
any thoughts much appreciated thanks.
ps this is my first foray into forum posting, patience required.

 

[Cuppatea]

There are plenty of horses that do that amount of racing and continue lame free for long alternative careers. Some have problems from it. It all depends on the individual horse. A vetting should suss out any obvious problems that may arise. Some (more old fashioned) farriers shoe horses long in front in the vain belief that it lengthens their stride therefore they can go faster........!!Invariably it has the opposite effect! It should be easily fixable by a good farrier, ive had experience with quite a few like this and touch wood it hasnt caused and problems in the horses future.

 

[leflynn]

We have another ex racer on our yard who is now 13 and raced from 2 until 10 (was quite successful too). He doesn't appear to have any issues whatsoever and is sound. He mostly does a lot of hacking with a bit of jumping and is seemingly as fit as fiddle

I think it depends on the horse and how they have been treated when in training/racing

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I have an ex pointer who came from ireland with quite a few miles on the clock. She is about 23 now, i have had her for 8 years. we hack and did do a bit of jumping. She has a bit of arthritis which I keep at bay with top spec senior balancer which has the joint sup in it. We don't jump now much to her disgust so she pops out of the field now and again just to keep her hand in She had 2 loose teeth removed a couple of weeks ago which is just an age thing. That is her in my sig and nobody believes her age. She is a great horse. I think they can adapt well and providing they are kept in a good routine which is what they are used to, and well cared for then they don't necessarily have a problem. I know many ex racers who are still eventing and jumping etc in late teens.

 

[Dizzle]

I know someone that has a 19 year old ex-racer, raced around 50 times from 1997-2006 including running in the Grand National. He is (as far as I am aware) still going well and apart from sarcoids is stil sound and raring to go (like a 5 year old!).

Like with any competition horse, it really depends...

 

[racebuddy]

hi also have an ex racer as well as my two main competion, he was raced successfully and then retired at around 9, he is now 16 and still competeing well in dressage and showing and loves his job, i agree with the foot issues i has not very good feet and needs careful shoeing and kept on top off and is sore if pulls any off but other than that he is fit and kept in daily routine all the time, he had no sense of routine when he came to me but now he is full of character and enjoys lots of fuss, xx

 

[njc]

Thanks for all the replies so far, his feet were in need of a re shoe and he`d pulled one off, the seller is getting them re done and then i`ll be going for another visit.
there seems to be a vast amount of supplements/products on the market for poor feet, does anyone recommend any of these, should i be looking to incorporate one of these if i buy him, he`s currently on pegasus cubes/cool mix and hay and seems to be in excellent condition aside from the feet

 

[Cuppatea]

there seems to be a vast amount of supplements/products on the market for poor feet, does anyone recommend any of these, should i be looking to incorporate one of these if i buy him, he`s currently on pegasus cubes/cool mix and hay and seems to be in excellent condition aside from the feet

seaweed in the feed and Kevin Bacon hoof dressing on the feet

 

[Angua2]

I found the best suppliement for my old ex racer was actually a good balancer, such as top spec or formula 4 feet, as you need to ensure that the hindgut is balanced and therefore absorbing the correct nutrients as the hindgut bacteria are responsible for the breakdown of biotin into a useable form by the horse.

 

[njc]

Thanks assuming I purchase I ll try the suggestions . Chestnuttymare your girl looks great in the pic

 

[dibbin]

My friend has one who's 28, he's still being ridden 4 times a week and in great health he had some soundness issues a couple of years ago, but they were sorted by corrective shoeing and an excellent farrier.

 

[LStarr]

Hoof Hardener to keep the horse sound and a decent multi-vit supplement for good hoof growth