Viewing an ex race horse - any tips?!

Tiarella said:
He is loooovely :)

Rode him in walk/trot/canter felt very unbalanced and tight muscled but chewing and licking listening to me with his ears. Walked him over a pole (they hadn't got to that stage yet) and he had a sniff and a think then strolled over it. Seems chilled and a bit lazy but to me that is a much better option :) perfect to tack up/untack, wash down took him away from his pals, his pals went away from him. Going to sleep on it tonight but really smitten with him. People just keep telling me horror stories which put me off.
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He will feel unbalanced, totally normal. Don't be put off, if you like him go with your gut. There are many horror stories yes, but there are equally many people who have years of happiness and success with their ex racers- physically and mentally. He sounds like a poppet :)
 
Sleep on it but don't be put off by other people's horror stories. Buying any horse is a gamble. Forget he is a tb, does he tick most of your box's?? Go back and have another ride. Good luck with your decision, they are great horses x
 
He seems to tick all my boxes, but I'm not sure what boxes I have to tick haha! I just want something that's a pleasure to own and happy to do a bit of everything which he seems perfect for :) i haven't been able to see him on the roads or round fields as there isn't the facilities but I was going to long rein for a good while whilst introducing new things and really just take it slow and let him show his little soft personality. I just hope he doesn't turn out into a nutter!
 
Tiddlypom said:
Good. He's only 6, so I'm surprised that a competition home is already off the cards. I may be unduly suspicious.
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This would concern me too. OP... if he has anything physical that stops him having a hard competition home, at 6 years old, be careful.
 
Buying any horse can be a horror story - just remember you get what you pay for most of the time - a kind willing 6 year old ready to start work for £1k will have it's issues along the way
To be sure you'll get what you want the established version will be £4-5k - if you haven't got that then take a chance
The soundness chance you take with any new horse is the same whether you pay £20k or £500 and a vetting will give you some insight into that exp with xrays to you can see joint wear - which for hard raced horses must be the risk.

The chance you are taking is that our of the racing routine and more weight/ much less exercise - he is harder work than you'd like - unless you have a reliable crystal ball nothing will tell you that !!

Good luck

I hacked my through the neighbours yard yesterday - she mentioned that only a year ago she was leading me as I got on in her indoor school - so we've come a long way - just still a lot longer to go before I have my desired all rounder !! ha ha
 
remember you will never get the perfect horse, just one with faults you can live with :D .... check tendons, teeth for cribbing wear, and watch videos of him racing- in my experience a willing racehorse is a willing ride. A moody one that races like he wants to jack it in is the same in other situations.
I would prefer a chaser bred horse (I have a lovely one by Subtle Power) than a flat-bred one, they tend to be stronger and sounder.
 
Definitely check soundness etc.

Wanting a quieter life wouldn't necessarily put me off. I recently sold an exracehorse as we just didn't click. Absolutely nothing wrong with him, just not for me. I worded my advert similar as I didn't want him rattling round ( he was just 5) when I sold him. I had two choices of homes for him, first a general all rounder fun horse, second home offered was as an eventer. I took less money and chose the all rounder home. Perhaps the horses previous owners just want a nice pc home for him where he will be more part of the family rather than just a competition horse?
 
He has been in the Marnane's yard since he first ran in 2011 and was co-owned by Melanie Marnane. If you look on the racehorse rehoming site that he as at on Facebook, there is a comment from Melanie asking how he is. That speaks volumes. What do you do with a flat racehorse in a racing yard once they get to 6 or 7? They often go to the sales and are sold to god knows who for peanuts. They sound like they loved him and wanted a nice home for him, some rehoming centres charge (£1500 ) to take them for re-homing. He probably wont be used to you getting on using a stirrup and probabaly wont be used to standing whilst you get on. He's been a really good horse for them and for that reason they most likely want a quieter life for him. Some of the ex flat racers we have had need to get used to going off -road too! All ours are brilliant in traffic. I bet he will be an absolute saint. They all have little quirks like we all do. Without sounding rude he will load, lead, pick up his feet, tie up etc. etc. You could view a few 5k horses who wont do any of those. As for soundness 2 stage vetting would be good, he's got a decent consistent record. He's also been turned out so that's a bonus. It sounds like he ticks a lot of boxes, you do have to be a bit choosy with ex-racehorses, they are not everyone's cup of tea. I'd just get on him and get on with it you wont pass may things he hasn't seen. We have a yard full of ex-racehorses and a couple of spoilt cobs! No guesses for which are the least trouble!!
 
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