Thoughts on this horse

The only other thing I would think about is the fact that he is hunted at least once a week. Depending on OH skills and ideas on hacking, as in level of work, in comparison to what horse is doing now, can obviously change behavior. Don't want to teach you how to "suck eggs" it's just I have seen people buy "good" horses and then wonder why they start mis behaving when they aren't exercised to a level they are used to.
 
Spring Feather said:
Interesting that many posters on this thread have not placed a decent value on this horse for what he is. I would pay significantly higher than what has been mentioned on here. Hunters are not cheap, and a hunter as safe as this guy appears to be, would be worth his weight in gold. An ex-NH horse who is sound and doing the job he's been bred for would put him in a much higher calibre than the stereotypical 'ex-racer' price bracket.
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I agree. I would pay a lot lot more if he were younger. At 14 with a 5 stage vetting I would be willing to pay around 2500, more with tack and rugs!
 
BSL said:
The only other thing I would think about is the fact that he is hunted at least once a week. Depending on OH skills and ideas on hacking, as in level of work, in comparison to what horse is doing now, can obviously change behavior. Don't want to teach you how to "suck eggs" it's just I have seen people buy "good" horses and then wonder why they start mis behaving when they aren't exercised to a level they are used to.
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Very good point also!
 
Spring Feather said:
Interesting that many posters on this thread have not placed a decent value on this horse for what he is. I would pay significantly higher than what has been mentioned on here. Hunters are not cheap, and a hunter as safe as this guy appears to be, would be worth his weight in gold. An ex-NH horse who is sound and doing the job he's been bred for would put him in a much higher calibre than the stereotypical 'ex-racer' price bracket.
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I agree with Spring Feather and look at it from the angle that he has proved his soundness, and is a schoolmaster - any 13 year old can have things go wrong - have him vetted, hope he passes for you, he sounds super :)
 
Spring Feather said:
Interesting that many posters on this thread have not placed a decent value on this horse for what he is. I would pay significantly higher than what has been mentioned on here. Hunters are not cheap, and a hunter as safe as this guy appears to be, would be worth his weight in gold. An ex-NH horse who is sound and doing the job he's been bred for would put him in a much higher calibre than the stereotypical 'ex-racer' price bracket.
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I totally agree
Iv read many comments on threads on here about why ex racers are not valued more and what price people would pay for re trained racers which some were stupidly high prices and here it seems u have a gent and nobody would pay for his knowledge, he's worth a fair price is say
 
Friend bought a 15 yr old ex racer. He had a successful racing career & was retired to stud, but was apparently infertile. Was then sold on & used as a hunt hierling, then bought by someone to hunt & sj.
At 15 my friend bought him for endurance & at 17 is still going strong & completely sound.
High mileage is not necessarily a problem, temperament is all.
 
SpringArising said:
He's done/doing way too much for me to ever be interested, but that's just my personal opinion/preference.

If he's just going to be used as a light hack and then hunt occasionally, he might be fine.

What type of racing did he do, and for how long?
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Spring Feather said:
Interesting that many posters on this thread have not placed a decent value on this horse for what he is. I would pay significantly higher than what has been mentioned on here. Hunters are not cheap, and a hunter as safe as this guy appears to be, would be worth his weight in gold. An ex-NH horse who is sound and doing the job he's been bred for would put him in a much higher calibre than the stereotypical 'ex-racer' price bracket.
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???
 
Spring Feather said:
Interesting that many posters on this thread have not placed a decent value on this horse for what he is. I would pay significantly higher than what has been mentioned on here. Hunters are not cheap, and a hunter as safe as this guy appears to be, would be worth his weight in gold. An ex-NH horse who is sound and doing the job he's been bred for would put him in a much higher calibre than the stereotypical 'ex-racer' price bracket.
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My thoughts exactly.. I can not see a problem in him having hunted a lot.. a lot of ex racers are hunters without problem unless I have missed the point completely I would be paying something sensible about 3.5k max.
 
I bought an ex racer (34 runs) aged 8, he Showjumped for 2 years then went eventing (he was jumping double clear in his first advance one year after commencing his BE career!) if his legs are clean then I don't think he's at any more risk than any serious competition horse and he must be a tough chap to stay sound to this point!
 
There are still plenty of well mannered, decent TBs around and he won't be the only one with experience. OP he is worth what you'll pay, but personally I think 2k plus as has been mentioned is way overpriced in the current market.
 
Best horse I've ever had was an ex-racer I bought at 12 for £300. He had run 65 NH races and 4 PTPs. Had bowed tendons and had the conformation of a giraffe. I couldn't have asked for a better horse. Safe as houses. Even my OH who is a complete novice (can barely do rising trot!) cantered him across open parkland quite happily. The only time he went lame was when he was kicked in the field and fractured his leg. I was told he would never come sound enough to ride again, but he did and we went out doing dressage again. We did lose him to the arthritis at the age of 21, but I had an amazing nine years with him. He was irreplaceable.
 
Spring Feather said:
Interesting that many posters on this thread have not placed a decent value on this horse for what he is. I would pay significantly higher than what has been mentioned on here. Hunters are not cheap, and a hunter as safe as this guy appears to be, would be worth his weight in gold. An ex-NH horse who is sound and doing the job he's been bred for would put him in a much higher calibre than the stereotypical 'ex-racer' price bracket.
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Completely agree, I was reading the thread very confused by responses until yours! Any horse can get arthritis, any horse can fall over in the field and break their leg; you always take a risk when you buy a horse as to it's long-term health, so if you want a safe horse that's going to be used for light hacking, I'd say this one sounds perfect :)

seejay said:
???
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SpringArising and SpringFeather are two different posters, hence why they have 2 different views.
 
I do find this rather odd every horse described on here is slated and devalued If it was me as long as he has no existing problems eg lame at the minute I would give him a go he sounds lovely. Somehow I am never surprised when buyers spend years trying to find the perfect animal it simply does not exist You could look forever and someone would still think your choice was rubbish if shown on here so please folks look at get your hands on and talk to the wners as you are probably discarding your friend of a lifetime simply by looking at photos or misdescribing your possibility on here. If you spend a few hundred looking at them in the flesh you will get a better idea of what is correct for you
 
LotsOfGiftBags said:
Completely agree, I was reading the thread very confused by responses until yours! Any horse can get arthritis, any horse can fall over in the field and break their leg; you always take a risk when you buy a horse as to it's long-term health, so if you want a safe horse that's going to be used for light hacking, I'd say this one sounds perfect :)
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OP wants to hunt once a month/event/SJ too, not just light hacking though which is why I suspect some people have been a bit guarded.
If OP likes him I would still be tempted to vet and take a punt though ;)
 
Yes hacking, hunting but not as much as he has been and then sj/event over the summer. Nothing huge. 90cm max. So here's the plan. Going to go and see him. If I like him will get him vetted and ask my chiro to take a look. Is there anything else do you think?
 
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