Well Mannered Race Horses!

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keeperscottage

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My daughter suggested this post! We have two ex-point-to-pointers and whilst trying to purchase Horse Number Two, we saw many ex-racehorses, and what stood out more than anything was how beautifully mannered each and everyone of them was....or do you know better???????
 
My friends ex-race horse is 'orrible!! Ill mannered, barges you out of his way, and is generally a right grump with a nasty streak!! Theres always an exception to the general rule!!
 
Most racehorses are very well mannered, the only ex-racehorses I know that are bad are ones that have been ruined since leaving training. My two were angels, but if handled by novices, the smaller one, Mac, was bit of a monkey. But then that was only because he was frightened by their handling of him.
 
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the only ex-racehorses I know that are bad are ones that have been ruined since leaving training.

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Yep that has always been my findings too.
 
No idea what he was like when he was younger but I do think that my friend lets him get away with being ill mannered. I think shes a little scared of him as he can suddenly flip for no reason.
 
My ex-race horse is very well mannered (apart from pulling faces at times) and is very easy to handle. Even my OH dare deal with him!!!
 
I think most racehorses are well mannered due to the way they are handled, afterall if they don't behave then they are difficult to train and race. Well done on giving ex-racers a chance. We do try at work to find homes for ones which we can't sell at the sales as p2per's or jumpers and sell a good few to a top showing producer in the area who has had lots of success with them. Those that are too crippled or that do have extreme behavioural problems are put down, which is harsh but quite a responsible line to take ethically. Afterall it is isn't fair on the horse to be passed from pillar to post for the rest of its life and ending up on a one way ticket to europe for meat and if a horse isn't paddock sound then how can it enjoy its life locked in a stable on drugs.
 
If anyone is interested I've got two looking a new home and they are both very well mannered. Looking for a long term loan from an experienced home
 
I love ex-racers. Would have another in a heartbeat. Unfortunately my last once was abused most of his life after racing so came to me in a bit of a state. One he was over his issues though he was very sensible and giving.
 
I love them to be honest (racehorses) and even when I used to be interviewing connections after they had won a race I would always try and pat the horse wherever possible.
 
We have an ex racehorse, his racing name was not so mo, hence why we call him mo. Here he is, oh hes had 2 beginners on him and hes done wonders for hubbies confidence.

Mo.jpg
 
They can tend to lack a sense of their character, esp if from a big yard. We get loads in and they a start very quiet but gradually come out of their shells! They keep their basic manners but learn to express themseleves (essential for an eventer, I think)
 
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They can tend to lack a sense of their character, esp if from a big yard. We get loads in and they a start very quiet but gradually come out of their shells! They keep their basic manners but learn to express themseleves (essential for an eventer, I think)

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My Exracer/ex pointer (raced as NH then on to Pointing) was very quiet and very well mannered when he came to me 5 years ago... since i had him his shell broke.. it was like having a 4 year old youngster rather than 13 year old mature horse, he became cheeky bugger but his manners hasn't changed.
 
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They can tend to lack a sense of their character, esp if from a big yard. We get loads in and they a start very quiet but gradually come out of their shells! They keep their basic manners but learn to express themseleves (essential for an eventer, I think)

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My Exracer/ex pointer (raced as NH then on to Pointing) was very quiet and very well mannered when he came to me 5 years ago... since i had him his shell broke.. it was like having a 4 year old youngster rather than 13 year old mature horse, he became cheeky bugger but his manners hasn't changed. People has commented how well mannered he is in the hunting field, they were surprised that he was a racehorse, so that kind of puts people in perspective about ex racers, since Buck moved to small yard of a corn Farmer, new exracers came... we now have 4 ex racers, ex steeple chaser, a pointer, all brilliant.
 
My current one has good manners but has definately started showing his character since we have had him 18 months - throws his bucket over his door when its finished also runs round the field with the bucket of stable lick in his mouth nad thinks he is the class clown with a horseball, flings it up and down hitting himself in the face with it, looks surprised but then does it again, and his current favourite thing is rubbing his face on my pregnant belly!!!! - he hates leaving the other horses though, not sure if that is a racehorse thing? I have had one other who was a saint to ride even if a speed merchant...but was quite the opposite in the stable or field he was 12 when we got him and we bought him cheaply as his old owner was scared of him, he was fine with me but must of bitten everybody else in the yard (although they knew he bit and had a sign on his door, they thought he wouldnt DO IT TO THEM!) he would also only want to go out for a short while in the winter and would mow people down if they didnt get out of his way when he wanted to go back to his stable....I loved him dearly and still think about him to this day.
 
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Most racehorses are very well mannered, the only ex-racehorses I know that are bad are ones that have been ruined since leaving training.

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well said...

I get to ride out for a trainer occasionally and all the horses are easy to do anything with. I got my gelding off of him and although he can be a bit nibbly he knows when he needs to behave and its commented all the time how good mannered he can be - my friends kids regularily bring him up from the field/turn him out and he is much easier for them to handle then their naughty Highland! My mare is great too.

I think I am the only person on my yard who can groom and tack up in the stable without tying my horse up and not end up chasing them round the box or it taking forever!!!
 
My ex racer is fab. When I started riding him everyone said "what do you want to ride THAT for?" and "you'll never manage him" - he is so well mannered/behaved and has such a lovely temperament that 6yrs on he's now mine and I've taught my brother to ride on him (he'd never even sat on a horse before!!)

There will always be an exception to the rule, Red Rum was one of them
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The lady I bought Nelson off used to be RR's stable girl. But all the ex racers I've known have been lovely.

I think it has a lot to do with what happens to them after the track
 
unfortunately easy to ruin (as I very nearly did my boy!) but in the right hands an ex racehorse can be an amazing horse and go on to do so much after they retire from the track......
 
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