milesjess
Well-Known Member
Bump cos I like this thread 
Tell me you ex-racehorse stories (add photos!)
- Thread starter loverly
- Start date
JustMe22
Well-Known Member
I used to ride them at riding schools etc, and at 15 I got my first one although he was only on loan. I was novice, he was totally unsuitable (and not at all as advertised) and a complete loon. Wouldn't go as far as to say nasty, but misunderstood definitely. I only had him a year, and he was PTS due to colic, but he came on in leaps and bounds. Randomly taking off was his thing, and he used to bite and would regularly run over the grooms upon opening the stable.
However, he did improve a lot and I think had he been gotten hold of earlier and transferred to someone who used patience rather than violence (not me, before I got him!) he would've turned out ok.
Below is my current horse. He's also the one in my sig. I've had him over 4 years now, and although I have been largely useless at producing him, he's a lovely boy I'm currently in Aus, so not riding him for a bit, but he was jumping in the 1m classes and ready to go to Elementary when I left. He's got a lot of scope, and could easily jump the big fences, but whether he has the confidence remains to be seen. Also got nice, correct movement and has been sound as a bell for the whole time I've had him (touch wood). Only downfall is that he's very easily upset mentally and stresses out/panics, and once this happens it's very hard to get him to relax again.
However, he did improve a lot and I think had he been gotten hold of earlier and transferred to someone who used patience rather than violence (not me, before I got him!) he would've turned out ok.
Below is my current horse. He's also the one in my sig. I've had him over 4 years now, and although I have been largely useless at producing him, he's a lovely boy
I'm currently in Aus, so not riding him for a bit, but he was jumping in the 1m classes and ready to go to Elementary when I left. He's got a lot of scope, and could easily jump the big fences, but whether he has the confidence remains to be seen. Also got nice, correct movement and has been sound as a bell for the whole time I've had him (touch wood). Only downfall is that he's very easily upset mentally and stresses out/panics, and once this happens it's very hard to get him to relax again.
ekitteridge
Well-Known Member
Here's my boy; He's just turned 7 & is by Kayf Tara (Saddlers Wells) and did point to point up to last year (not that successfully) then turned away. He was bought from the field in Nov 2011 by his previous owner but she found she could not continue riding due to an old severe back injury. I bought him in April and since I have been schooling and hacking him. Hacking in company he's as good as gold. On his own he is nappy but this is getting better. Schooling he gets better each week. He's very good in the stable & to handle. He did his first dressage comp 2 weeks ago & came 2nd & 4th with 66.4% & 66% and was perfectly behaved - I was so pleased with him!
having a lesson ridden by Nick (daughters boyfriend)
doing his dressage test
another of him doing his dressage test
with my daughter afterwards
having a lesson ridden by Nick (daughters boyfriend)
doing his dressage test
another of him doing his dressage test
with my daughter afterwards
Trix98
Well-Known Member
Although I've met a few nutters, I think ex-racers are wonderful! If in the right hands of course 
My Dad had an ex racer to hack and she was an absolute dope on a rope! (He wasn't exactly a natural either) She couldn't school due a hock injury as she found it difficult to turn and couldn't be used for breeding either as she was barren. But when out on the roads and fields she was very sweet and calm, she did have an extra gear when we asked for it though! 
Here are some pictures
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The very lovely Sally ^
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Bond, an ex racer, Point to Point and hunts horse! Very genuine boy and took me around my first Cross Country without putting a foot wrong ( He broke my record of not falling off for 8 years.. then I fell off 3 times in a week! Not at all his fault though)
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Not a very flattering picture, but a little mare I rode called Nancy. Was a broodmare for 10 years and so had to be re-schooled.. the first horse I've ever met who didn't know how to jump. Literally!
My Dad had an ex racer to hack and she was an absolute dope on a rope! (He wasn't exactly a natural either) She couldn't school due a hock injury as she found it difficult to turn and couldn't be used for breeding either as she was barren. But when out on the roads and fields she was very sweet and calm, she did have an extra gear when we asked for it though! Here are some pictures
The very lovely Sally ^
Bond, an ex racer, Point to Point and hunts horse! Very genuine boy and took me around my first Cross Country without putting a foot wrong ( He broke my record of not falling off for 8 years.. then I fell off 3 times in a week! Not at all his fault though
)
Not a very flattering picture, but a little mare I rode called Nancy. Was a broodmare for 10 years and so had to be re-schooled.. the first horse I've ever met who didn't know how to jump. Literally!
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
I've had 2 to reschool in the past 2 years.
One was a very pretty mare, 15.2, bought out of training. V good conformation and breeding.
She was silly to ride at first but I hoped she would settle.
She never did however, and was at times downright dangerous. The more she was ridden the worse she became.
Sadly after much perseverance it became clear that she was not going to be fixable as a riding horse - first time I've ever said that about anything.
Her head was just totally ********d for want of a better phrase, so I turned her away with the intention of sending her to the bloodstock sales as a broodmare (fantastic conformation, breeding and temperament on the ground - just not ridden).
Unfortunately shortly before the sales she had (and lost) an argument with the fence, and after a very bad leg wound and infected coffin joint she now resides 6 feet under the turf. She was only 5 - very sad end to a nice horse
The other is a gelding that I still have. He's ok but bucks on occasion and being much finer is just harder and more expensive to keep than the others.
There are good ones out there, I know, but personally I won't be having another. The market is flooded now and too many people who don't know what they're doing are trying to make a fast buck on them.
One was a very pretty mare, 15.2, bought out of training. V good conformation and breeding.
She was silly to ride at first but I hoped she would settle.
She never did however, and was at times downright dangerous. The more she was ridden the worse she became.
Sadly after much perseverance it became clear that she was not going to be fixable as a riding horse - first time I've ever said that about anything.
Her head was just totally ********d for want of a better phrase, so I turned her away with the intention of sending her to the bloodstock sales as a broodmare (fantastic conformation, breeding and temperament on the ground - just not ridden).
Unfortunately shortly before the sales she had (and lost) an argument with the fence, and after a very bad leg wound and infected coffin joint she now resides 6 feet under the turf. She was only 5 - very sad end to a nice horse
The other is a gelding that I still have. He's ok but bucks on occasion and being much finer is just harder and more expensive to keep than the others.
There are good ones out there, I know, but personally I won't be having another. The market is flooded now and too many people who don't know what they're doing are trying to make a fast buck on them.
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
Ps I have successfully reschooled 5 on the past.....but they weren't all horses I would have wanted to keep in the end.
There are some lovely ones though.
If you're going to get one id get it from the trainer, not a private sale, aa they're usually something someones had a go on and failed with
There are some lovely ones though.
If you're going to get one id get it from the trainer, not a private sale, aa they're usually something someones had a go on and failed with
NariNags
Well-Known Member
I brought my boy after he'd been off the track for 9 months (two years ago) and in some ways its the best thing i ever did in terrms of taking his royal stressyness to something that everyone can handle on the ground and is relaxed and happy to pony the youngsters around and hack out
But in terms of heart ache and soundness issues you could say its been the worse. 2 months after having him he broke down on his Right fore and hind and diganosed with PSD in both and so began the consistant soundness problems that are (well were) comming right , we are at the stage that once his new abcess has healed and we can begin work again and if nothing else goes wrong that he may be caperbal of low level dressage but nothing more certinally jumping may be limited to 90 cm if that which is a shame but hes not going anywhere .
So go for it but be aware of dodgy legs (not all but IME) and get them 5 * vetted if you can and think about it
Nari
But in terms of heart ache and soundness issues you could say its been the worse. 2 months after having him he broke down on his Right fore and hind and diganosed with PSD in both and so began the consistant soundness problems that are (well were) comming right , we are at the stage that once his new abcess has healed and we can begin work again and if nothing else goes wrong that he may be caperbal of low level dressage but nothing more certinally jumping may be limited to 90 cm if that which is a shame but hes not going anywhere .
So go for it but be aware of dodgy legs (not all but IME) and get them 5 * vetted if you can and think about it
Nari
Footlights
Well-Known Member
I got my ex racer almost 3 months ago now so he is still settling into his new home and lifestyle. He flat raced twice as a 3yo and twice as a 4yo. He won his first ever race and then seemed to lose interest after that.
He is proving to be a very sensible ride; we can hack out with lorries, motorbikes etc going passed us and he doesn't bat an eyelid. We can also trot along with other horses in a big field without him becoming strong or trying to race. He is very unconfident by himself though - not spooky, just a bit nappy - although he has never reared or bucked, he just plants his feet and doesn't move! I'm sure this will improve as his confidence does though. The only time we have had an issue out hacking is when passing another horse (opposite direction), but again, I'm sure this will come with time.
The main issues I have with him are on the ground. We have good days and bad days. On a good day he will stand still when tied, picks up all his feet for me, lets me calmly groom him and tack him up. On a bad day we break lots of bailing twine, he pushes me, tries to bite me and is generally just very stressy and anxious. He can also be very coltish and opinionated(!) which I do sometimes find hard to deal with, although this is probably also due to his age and the fact that he was gelded pretty late.
It's lovely to hear other peoples stories on here - Good luck with your search!
He is proving to be a very sensible ride; we can hack out with lorries, motorbikes etc going passed us and he doesn't bat an eyelid. We can also trot along with other horses in a big field without him becoming strong or trying to race. He is very unconfident by himself though - not spooky, just a bit nappy - although he has never reared or bucked, he just plants his feet and doesn't move! I'm sure this will improve as his confidence does though. The only time we have had an issue out hacking is when passing another horse (opposite direction), but again, I'm sure this will come with time.
The main issues I have with him are on the ground. We have good days and bad days. On a good day he will stand still when tied, picks up all his feet for me, lets me calmly groom him and tack him up. On a bad day we break lots of bailing twine, he pushes me, tries to bite me and is generally just very stressy and anxious. He can also be very coltish and opinionated(!) which I do sometimes find hard to deal with, although this is probably also due to his age and the fact that he was gelded pretty late.
It's lovely to hear other peoples stories on here - Good luck with your search!
AMH
Well-Known Member
I have a mare but only for breeding. My folks had a share in her when she was racing and she was the sweetest thing when she went to the trainer and came back 2.5 seasons later a total and utter thug.
I've sat on her in the school a couple of times but I'm no TB expert and it quickly became apparent that she wasn't going to be one for me to tinker with! But she's very nicely put together and her yearling filly is absolutely gorgeous - will be a hand bigger than her mother and will be raced by us and some friends. Once she's out of racing she'll be a riding horse for me, but I will get her professionally retrained because I know my limits.
If I was ever going to have an ex racer to ride other than mine, I'd only take them straight from the trainer via a recognised retrainer, or take one from one of the retraining charities, because I know I don't have the skills or the patience to do one myself.
I've sat on her in the school a couple of times but I'm no TB expert and it quickly became apparent that she wasn't going to be one for me to tinker with! But she's very nicely put together and her yearling filly is absolutely gorgeous - will be a hand bigger than her mother and will be raced by us and some friends. Once she's out of racing she'll be a riding horse for me, but I will get her professionally retrained because I know my limits.
If I was ever going to have an ex racer to ride other than mine, I'd only take them straight from the trainer via a recognised retrainer, or take one from one of the retraining charities, because I know I don't have the skills or the patience to do one myself.
Madam Min
Well-Known Member
My OH is looking for another horse and we're hoping to give an ex racer a home, currently looking. OH has got lots of experience with prob/diff horses so fully prepared of what to expect.
We had one vetted last month but she failed, gutted cos otherwise she was perfect!
We had one vetted last month but she failed, gutted cos otherwise she was perfect!
Fantasy_World
Well-Known Member
Some lovely stories on here about ex racers. I have one too, a mare who raced over both codes and won races. It is so nice to read about horses I remember though over jumps like Aces Four and Our Armageddon.
I really wish that a database could be set up to help trace these ex racehorses and where they end up after their racing career is over.
So many disappear or end up in the wrong hands.
Thank gawd for people who know what they are doing and for centres and rescues who focus on the re-training of them
I really wish that a database could be set up to help trace these ex racehorses and where they end up after their racing career is over.
So many disappear or end up in the wrong hands.
Thank gawd for people who know what they are doing and for centres and rescues who focus on the re-training of them
suzysparkle
Well-Known Member
I had one on loan when I was 16 (17 years ago). He was 17.2hh and had run in the Grand National (I believe he was pulled up before Beechers on the second lap). Bit of a long story as to how I came across him but he was amazing. We used to hack out (always on our own) for miles and often after school we would be in the pitch dark. Would never do that these days!! We were lit up like a christmas tree that's for sure and never thought anything of it. He was 100% bombproof in traffic.
I trusted that Horse completely. He was a perfect gentleman, used to stand like a rock as I hauled myself on from milkcrates, walked so calmly when he was led out to the field and never once showed any sign of bad behaviour.
I can only recall 2 things that ever scared him. One was a girl who went past us on roller skates!! He got a fright at the sound and simply cantered off for a few strides and that was it. The second was one day out on a very quiet road there was a group of joggers coming towards us, running abreast on the road. He span round, cantered about 50 yards then span back round to have another look. He then decided it was fine and just carried on. I loved that Horse and was devastated when he went back. I've only got a couple of printed photos....no digital ones (didn't exist then I don't think!!).
Since then I have ridden 2 ex-racers. One was possibly the quietest Horse I have ever come across. The other was a 4 year old who was bought for £800 in a sale. She was very quick to learn and took everything in her stride. Needed to be ridden a lot or she did get a bit sharp. Both were also 100% in traffic, and both were happy to hack on their own althought the 4 year old could nap a bit. Was fine if you kept her trotting though. Fabulous Horses with so much to give.
I trusted that Horse completely. He was a perfect gentleman, used to stand like a rock as I hauled myself on from milkcrates, walked so calmly when he was led out to the field and never once showed any sign of bad behaviour.
I can only recall 2 things that ever scared him. One was a girl who went past us on roller skates!! He got a fright at the sound and simply cantered off for a few strides and that was it. The second was one day out on a very quiet road there was a group of joggers coming towards us, running abreast on the road. He span round, cantered about 50 yards then span back round to have another look. He then decided it was fine and just carried on. I loved that Horse and was devastated when he went back. I've only got a couple of printed photos....no digital ones (didn't exist then I don't think!!).
Since then I have ridden 2 ex-racers. One was possibly the quietest Horse I have ever come across. The other was a 4 year old who was bought for £800 in a sale. She was very quick to learn and took everything in her stride. Needed to be ridden a lot or she did get a bit sharp. Both were also 100% in traffic, and both were happy to hack on their own althought the 4 year old could nap a bit. Was fine if you kept her trotting though. Fabulous Horses with so much to give.