update - offered an ex racehorse

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tinap

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So I got a phone call this morning off the owner to say he was heading upto the yard if I wanted to go & have a look. The daughter was at school, but I thought I would go anyway, just to find out some more info on him.

He is 6yrs old, bay gelding - yard owner reckoned 15.3hh but he looked a bit bigger than that to me. He looked very well (really wasn't sure what I would find!) He was in the stable munching on his breakfast but I went In with him & he seems a very chilled out boy.

Talking to the owner he said that the horse hadn't been raced in 3yrs, had been thrown in a field & just brought back into training earlier on in the year but they had decided he was no good. Looking at his record on the trainers website it looks like he did a few flat, some hurdles & ptp. However he windsucks, hates being turned out so is happy stabled 22hours a day & has had his legs pin fired.

I took some pics to take for my friend to have a look, but on the way home even though my heart was saying he was a stunning, seemingly easy going chap, the head was saying leave him alone.

I showed my friend the pics & she agreed with my head based on his legs. Spoke to 2 other friends & they also thought to leave alone due to the windsucking/legs/having to be stabled.

So I have decided to decline. The daughter was a bit disapointed that she didn't get a chance to go with me, but I'm glad I went without her as he was that friendly I think she maybe would have fell in love!!

However, after talking to another friend, she has expressed an interest in him. She has more experience than me & better facilities to accomodate (sp?) him.

So that's where we're at!! My friend is going to have a good think & pay him a visit I think.

Massive thank you to everyone that shared their thoughts yesterday - it did help me to go & see him without the rose tinted glasses on xx
 
You tend to find they freak at being turned out as they're not used to it! Turnout has been so important for mine, with his state of mind. He used to get very upset and stand at the gate, screaming. Eventually he learnt to love it with the help of his field comp!! Sounds like you made a good decision, hope your friend gets on ok
 
Well if it doesn't feel right then it probably isn't. I wouldn't find that the pin firing or the wind sucking is a huge problem. The legs don't even have had to have had a problem to pin fire. They are sometimes done to strengthen the tendons so that they don't have a problem. I am sure he would get used to turn out in time if it is done gradually. I find with mine that routine is the main thing with her. They are used to strict routine and if you start doing things at random times to suit you then they can't cope.
Good luck with th search though, hope your friend likes him and he gets a nice home.
 
He did say he had had leg problems hence the firing. I know he would get used to being turned out in the end, but as I wasn't actually looking for a horse I have no spare stable, whereas my friend has. I'm still thinking shall I go for it, he was so friendly, but must really trust my 1st thought. Who knows, if my friend has him, I can help her out & learn a bit more along the way! xx
 
That sounds like a plan. I would say that perhaps an ex racehorse wouldn't be the best thing to make the move from ponies to horses, but some of the ones I know are the most easy to do laid back animals. However, there is a big difference between a connie spooking to a tb, they do move very fast and mine can spin on a sixpence. It takes a bit of getting used to and the last thing you want to do is knock your daughters confidence. It can still happen regardless of how good and bold a rider she is.
 
I think you did the best thing going to see him. Although the issues he has may well turn out to be nothing I think you always need to trust your instincts when you go to see a horse. In the past I didn't and ended up with a pony who, although fab on paper I never gelled with. You will know when the horse is thr right one - well that's my belief anyway.
 
I think you've made the right decision :) I personally wouldn't be buying a horse with leg problems, although he sounds lovely. Hopefully your friend likes him :)
 
Friend is a big sucker for rescuing things!! Didn't feel like I knew enough about any potential leg problems & thought it wasn't fair on us or horse to take on based on looks & temperament I saw on one day. Oh well, things happen for a reason. Glad I went to see though xx
 
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