TB or not TB...that is the question!!??

C

charliep

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 August 2009
Messages
56
Visit site
Hi,

I have been to see a fantastic TB gelding at a dealers near me. I have posted about him before. I am a novice rider in as much as I know the basics but lack the confidence. I have cantered about 5 times before (6 if you count the horse that bolted with me when I was about 12!!!) I am nearly 30 now and had been put of horses since the bolting incident, so cantering for me is a big deal! Anyway, I went to see this horse for the 3rd time today and cantered around the school no problem. I loved it!!! I think this horse if fab, but the only thing holding me back is that he is a Thoroughbred. I had previously been looking for a cob as I had been warned off TBs. Should I be wary? What is there to worry about with a TB??
Thanks
 
All I would say is a TB in my experience are very loyal and will love you but they must be exercised regularly and know who is boss. It will be settled I presume where it is so as with all horses you will get teething problems, if you have a good network of support round you and you are sure this is the one for you then maybe it is worth considering.

Why are you rushing into buying a horse and not spending more time getting to know more than the basics i.e. lessons or sharing?
 
TB's are very sensitive, and very clever. They can for this reason make excellent comp horses or allrounders, but for the same reason are less forgiving than other horses.

Have you ridden this horse out? I've known more TB's to flip out at silly things when out hacking then any other horse, including young ones. They also run on adrenaline and can be difficult to reason with once they've decided they're scared of something. They're also more difficult than most horses to keep weight on and it can be hard to keep them in good condition without them getting "hot".

Saying all of that, if the partnership is right, they can be the most rewarding horses you can own.

Personally, I wouldn't trust a TB from a dealer (why is it there?) - I don't trust dealers, and I don't trust TB's unless I know their full histories and that they've always been treated correctly and professionally.
 
Thanks for your reply,

I have been looking for a horse for months now and currently have one on loan (who is a bit of a nutter!) I have lots of experience with horses and will trot about with no problem. I still consider myself a novice though as I struggle with my confidence and have never quite got over the horse that bolted with me. The reason I want to find the right horse, is so I can continue with my lessons and grow my confidence. Riding different horses every week at the school means I never really bond with any of the horses and never really trust them. Hope this answers your query.
 
Fair enough, was just wondering. I'm still tempted to say you should share or loan but I also agree with the other poster that TB's are very loyal but can be less likely to be forgiving. I would also agree that they can be flighty and need a ctrong confident take charge person to gain your trust. I adored my TB, he was the love of my life but I'll tell you it took us a while to get there with lots of silly incidents that would have knocked less confident/experienced people, there were tears and tantrums but one of the most rewarding horses I ever had the pleasure to own. Let us know how you get on
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Fair enough, was just wondering. I'm still tempted to say you should share or loan but I also agree with the other poster that TB's are very loyal but can be less likely to help you out with mistakes. Let us know how you get on
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, I will do! He is the only horse I have felt really confident on... I just worry that he's a TB! Thanks for your help.
 
I honestly don't think a TB is a horse for a rider that is not fully confident/ competent / novice etc. Sorry. I have owned many and even the most placid and forgiving still had their moments where they would turn and run - it is after all what they are bred for. Whilst I would let a novice rider ride some of mine in the confines of a school I would never ever have sold one to a less than very competent rider.

You only have to look at the a charity like the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre to see how many loans do not work out and need rehomed (unsettling for horse and rider) and these are people who are very experienced at trying to put the right horse with the right person.

I have seen alot of very experienced people end up with their confidence shattered by overhorsing themselves and with your level of experience I would say a TB is a bad idea.
 
Well, I was going to say that if you're lacking in confidence at all, then a TB is probably not for you. They can be very sensitive and will know straight away if you're nervous and wonder why, and often act accordingly!...
That said, one of my TBs was the ploddiest, quietest horse in the world and I would've trusted him with a child. Quiet, steady, reliable TBs are not unheard of, but not as common as the other kind
grin.gif
 
I think it depends on the horse, they are so individual. I have an ex racer, I consider myself experienced but not brave. I was looking for a happy hacker and Che was advertised very locally as a riding club horse. Ill be honest, I only went to look as he was so close but he is the most gentle, honest little horse. My biggest concern was that he would be bored by so little work and would become too hot headed for me. He is however, quite lazy. At this time of year we only hack out at weekends and he is fine. He is turned out every day and stabled at night and thrives on routine. I think you need to be confident in your ability to manage the horse, get his routine and feeding right and not be afraid to ask for help and advice. 18 months on and we have a great relationship and I dont regret my decision at all. Hope this helps.
 
I think I would just worry that, whilst he is being idyllic in the school and settled where he is, once you get him home, you might find you have a bit of trouble whilst he finds his feet.

If he does something silly in those first few weeks, will you you be confident enough to work through those issues or would it knock you? Have you hacked him out alone at his current home?

What would you want to do with him when you get him?
 
I'm sorry but as some one who suffers from a few nerves, I wouldn't get a TB. Clever, sensitive horses who don't suffer fools need not just a good rider but someone with rock solid confidence and belief in their skills. Being on your own with a horse, especially hacking, is light years away from being in a riding school. Is your instructor helping you with the search at all?
 
My boss started riding in May this year, 3 months later he bought a TB just out of racing. So far they have been fine although they haven't really done a lot, the horse is lovely and a very kind sort. Once things start heating up a bit (horse is fitter and they start doing more cantering etc) I am pretty sure the horse will get lit up, how my Boss will cope then I do not no.

You come across as more confident and with more experience then my B so you may be fine with one. Have you got lots of knowledgeable people around you?

Although I am not that knowledgeable I have owned my TB for 6 years and have been able to offer my boss lots of advise when needed, I also exercise and school the horse for him.

I think if you go into it with your eyes wide open and have a great support team (including an instructor) around you then it may be worth buying this horse.

At the end of the day any horse you buy, regardless of it's breed could be a complete nutter!
 
A real hard one. I have a TB mare owned since a foal. She is generally a lovely horse and nothing can touch her for speed, cleverness and loyality.

BUT, if she gets a B in her bonnet about something you have to sit there calm if you did panic and grab at the reins or if she played up out and you got off her you would be in trouble you have to ride it through quietly.

My main worry about a novice and a TB is the speed at which they do things they don't give you a lot of time to re-group after an incident. Think carefully.
 
I would say that you are better off buying a confidence giving horse and it would be heart breaking if you brought this one and it ruined your confidence completely. i know what that is like and you don't want to make yourself any less confident.

Tbs in my experience are lovely and my ex racer is as calm as can be.. but they def have their tb moments where they can throw all their toys out of the pram for no reason at all and thats what I would worry about with you. remember they are bred for speed.

however if you really really feel like this is the one for you then I would say go for it as its attachment which matters the most as this is what will get you through all the ups and downs in your relationship
smile.gif
 
I would avoid it. To be honest it is one thing riding in an arena on a horse schooled in there by someone else. AS soon as you take it away from there it will very quickly behave differently and start tiny tests which as a novice you WILL not see until bigger problems start to show. It is so much about the early subtle signs that are missed.
I would avoid pure TB's and anything with Welsh in them, they are nearly always way too smart for a novice. Sorry to be so blunt
 
charliep, I really don't mean to be unsupportive but I'd advise that you try sharing something you feel confident on and/or finding a RS where you can ride the same horses (not necessarily just one - that way you don't learn to 'ride', you just learn to 'ride Horse X' so to speak.) more than once.

You can have lessons on a shared or loaned horse too.

They are flight animals and any of them will occasionally spook at something and you will almost inevitably have to canter (even if it is just for a few surprise steps!) at some point.

If you have some more lessons you'll get more confident and you might find the kind of horse you're looking for changes too.

I was nervous about cantering after learning to ride in an environment where it wasn't really safe, having a major car accident and being bucked off a few times on upwards transitions.

Now I share a chestnut arab who is spooky, flighty and loves to jump (something I'd barely done any of). I'm very glad I stuck with lessons rather than getting something that was supposed to be 'dull' and ending up loosing even more confidence when it turned out to still be a real horse!
 
I bought my TB last year after I'd totally lost my confidence. Why I bought a TB ex-racer when I had already lost confidence I don't know. He has turned out to be the kindest, loveliest, sweetest horse ever and I've gone from not wanting to sit on a horse at all to doing my first hunter trials on him. I feel totally safe on him and my 11 year old daughter jumps him quite happily.
There are some that break the stereotype, but just be very, very careful and get somebody you trust and who knows your ability help you find a horse. Good luck!
 
I think I'd avoid a TB for your first horse. My horse is a full TB - he is an absolute sweetie and I have a part loaner for him who is quite novice and who is doing really well with him ... But despite being the perfect horse for her to learn on 9 times out of 10, he has his tb moments and it's that which could knock the confidence of a more novice rider.

They are also much harder to keep / feed than many other breeds. Keeping weight on my horse without giving him any feeds that might make him fizzy has taken me years to perfect! I've got his feet looking great at last too but that has not beencheap or easy over the years and tbs are known for having weaker feet than sone other breeds.

My boy is now really just a happy hacker as he's getting on, and I have a pony that I compete who is a welsh x Arab. I've been amazed how easy he is to keep. He lives on the most basic feed and never freaks out at the things my tb would (ie a leaf blowing in the wind !).

I'd go for an 'easier' breed for your first horse.
 
Ive had Tb's for the last 14 years and as most have said they can be the most rewarding and loyal loving horses. The most laid back one I've ever had deffinately still had his TB moments and one I've got at the mo constantly has them. I appreciate that all horses can have moments but not horses are as sharp and quick as TB's are generally. Also all of them clocked someone who wasn't confident within seconds and although not nasty at all deffinatley pushed lines that they wouldn't have done with someone with more confidence.

I would never say never get one as I love my TB's and will probably always have them, but I think as someone who is not as confident, you would need a lot of help and support so that you and the horse flourished. Also go and see him with someone who knows TB's and ask lots of questions and get proof of his history. Good Luck!
 
My first horse was a TB (possibly crossed with a warmblood?!) and I'm not the best/most confident of riders but she was the best horse I ever could of possibly found. She was a right donkey and most people hated riding her because they couldn't get her going! I loved the fact, and it's become more apparent since I got my new pony, that if I found even a short path out hacking I could have a nice steady canter and easily be able to pull up.
Now I've got a small cob and he's mental! He's strong and gallops all over the place. Within a couple of weeks I was totally losing my confidence on him, but I got his old owner out who gave me ONE lesson, and now we're getting along fine and I feel far safer, but if I find a nice path to canter I have to think about whether I'll be able to stop or not.
All in all, I personally think it depends on each horse, I've met lots of thoroughbreds (trying to persuade parents to buy the one from my riding school
grin.gif
) and I can't remember any of them being mental. Whereas a lot of the cobs I know are off their rockers and gallop like idiots and because of their strength it's hard to get control. TBH, my only worry with a TB is how easily they seem to get injured. If you like this horse and as you say, he makes you feel confident, then go for it, it could be the best thing you ever do!
 
I have a TB gelding who I have now had for 2 years. He is 11 now. When I went to try him he was quite dopey really, hacked him out with no issues, jumped him in the school and he was chilled. However, the first time I took him out for a canter when I brought him home, it turned into a flat out gallop (he had grass beneath his feet, i should have known!) and I actually couldn't stop him. It scared the beejeezus out of me and could easily have knocked my confidence so much that I jacked it in. I did think at the time. 'what have I bought??' However, we're now doing fine but he has required a lot of time and patience with schooling to teach him that there are more than 2 paces in life!

It's not to say that any other breed won't do this but TBs are known for their speed and can just go from 0-60 without warning! I love my boy and would't swap him for the world but having not had a TB before I have learnt a lot about how to look after them over any other breed that I have come into contact with. They can drop weight easily, and my boy definitely cannot be reasoned with if he takes offence at something (I have to just sit quietly and let him get over it, otherwise I've lost him for ever and the session has to end). Definitely make sure you have support and a good instructor will prove invaluable.

No TB is the same, just reading some of these posts above you can see there is no 'typical' TB. Find out as much as you can about this chap you are interested in, what he's done in the past, the homes he's had, injuries etc.

They will teach you lots, as long as you can offer them the time and patience to learn, and stick with them through thick and thin. They are loving and loyal and will always have a special place in my heart. Good luck with your decision!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top