Thoroughbred horses?

We have a 6 yr old tb, bought very niavely (sp) for my novice OH...

He loves him, I find him too sensitive. 99% of the time he is an angel, but he is prone to throwing complete fits when he doesn't want to do something, these can be throwing a legs to a four legged leap. Very intelligent, will do lovely work in the school, hacks out alone and in company, isn't very spooky.

Very fast, so make sure you are prepared for that, sounds a silly thing to say, but I wasn't! Some tb's are fairly hardy, ours isn't, it is a bit of a battle keeping weight on without getting fizz. Feet are ok but not great. Always getting cuts and knocks, so like someone has already said, be prepared for vet bills!

Oh and if you are getting one straight off the track or with limited training, make sure you know what you are doing. We learnt the very hard and expensive way, that you need professional help from someone who know's tb's.

I love him but wouldn't want another one, my WB is far easier to look after and less worry! But that's just one TB, I imagine there are lots that aren't like that!
 
My Ted is an 18 yo pure-bred TB and presently behaves like a youngster.

Ordinarily he is incredibly lazy- however he is able to switch from plod to racehorse in milliseconds with little warning! His grand sire was Bustino.

He has days when he is laid back and days where he stresses about the slightest thing. He is a wimp when it comes to cold wet weather. He won't go out in field for longer than 20 minutes/day from October to February and wears at least 2 heavyweight rugs otherwise he gets cold. This is his own choice! I would love him to go out all day and in at night- would save me mucking out twice a day. He has other ideas!

He is sensitive to the slightest change. However, when I used to compete him he was a gentleman- when he did BD juniors with my sister , all the other girls wanted him because he was lovely and very dependable.

That said he refuses to grow old gracefully and a year or two ago in our first veteran showing class, we were asked to leave due to his over exuberant behaviour, which was rather embarrassing!

He can be a Jekyll and Hyde horse, some days he's adorable/cuddly, others he's a nightmare. He is very demanding and impatient though, he can't wait for anything and is a complete diva! He used to be an exceptional SHP (he's only 15hh), winning PUK many years ago; so his attitude may be related to his life as a show horse when he was younger.

However, I wouldn't have him any other way. I've learnt a lot from him and would always consider a TB in future. You just need to be prepared that they can be overly sensitive/hot headed when they want to be.
 
Silverted...you have made my day!! I had a text from our yard this morning, saying our tb had to be bought in after being out for 10 mins. He can't do wet/cold weather at all! I am so glad he is not alone in this.
 
99% of the horses I ride are thoroughbred and they range from the big, chunky hunter type you could put your granny on to the skinny, sharp type who`ll have you off before you can blink. It really depends on the horse. I think of them like athletes - they need proper amounts of work and exercise and stimulation otherwise they get bored, fresh or stupid. Most ex-racers like routine and the company of other horses because thats how they were brought up. I love them!!
 
I have a TB inherited from my daughter who lost interest for a while. He was bred for NH but is a bit too laid back. He is 17hh and an absolute gentleman both in and out of the stable. As mentioned previously though, reaction times are quick and they do take a bit longer to settle back down again. Daughter has now started riding again and he is much happier with regular work.
 
I do agree - there are different 'types' of TBs, and distinctive 'sets' of personalities which normally fit with them.

Not sure why so many people are anti-TB as they are so versatile - can basically compete at top level in any discipline - and so often ex-racers are bombproof in traffic and basically the ideal allrounder for anyone with a bit of horsey nouse who won't just 'expect' the horse to keep weight etc.

edit: fat pony phrased the different types perfectly while I was still writing my post!

Haven't owned a TB, but ridden a few and absolutely love the responsiveness + intellegence. My next horse will be full hotblood - think imo they're more straightforward than WBs with lots of blood
 
I had a TB that was an absolute physcho (literally nearly killed me e few times!)
I have got another TB now though and he is an absolute star, and I wouldn't change him for the world, my friend is even learning to ride on him!! He's the ultimate all rounder/family horse!

I don't think its the breed, its just depends on the type of horse they are, just like people, some you love, some you hate, but there all human!
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I love them. We have two - both raced, both lovely decent horses. My experience is that they need good management but are so very very rewarding. They are so trainable and intelligent, I can't really imagine having anything else.

Would personally look for a good solid old-fashioned Irish TB, with National Hunt breeding if I were looking again. The sharp little French ones don't do it as much for me!
 
my tb has great feet, keeps condition well, lives out and is v.hardy.

she is however a stroppy little diva and knows her own mind.

however, i would pick a tb over a warmblood any day myself- they may be sharp but they tend to be very intelligent and once they understand what you want will give you 100%
 
The unanswerable question. I didn't like my TB one bit really, in hindsight nd would never have another - but some people LOVE them so your answer is, best to judge on merit and yourself, you can't take other peoples opinions on a breed too seriously.
 
To me, they are the same as any horse and you really can't lump them together. I've sat on sharp cobs, and thoroughbreds that I have happily put a 6 year old child on
The only generalisation I can really make is they tend to have bad feet e.g flat footed and crumbly.
Any horse can be sharp, but don't rule out a thoroughbred

I understand how people have had bad experiences - for instance I will never touch another Arab with a barge pole, but having had the horse of a lifetime in a thoroughbred, I will happily have another one
 
Dot1: You will be pleased to hear that it's not that unusual. I put a post on a few weeks back when it all started again- the charging at the gate, weaving and calling after 10 minutes in field and lots of people responded that there horses were the same.

It was such a relief to know there were others like him! I thought it was only my crazy horse that didn't like going out in winter but there are lots of them.
 
Thanks guys you have all been really helpful i think i will go look and decide whether one will be right for me, im not a novice rider i like a bit of character in a horse when riding
 
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