Where to find an ex racer

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ells

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Hi everyone

i hope this is the right place to post this
been a lurker of the forum for a while but decided to sign up so i could ask for some help off you lot

Im looking into getting an ex racer as a project for myself, and know of the usual charitys that do rehoming of race horses but just wondering if theres any other place that would be of use for me to have look online

Im expireanced with the breed so know what to expect and i just hear of so many tb youngsters that dont make the grade just going to waste and want to give one the chance outside of racing

so if anyone can help me or knows anyone personally that might have what im looking for it'd be great if you could give me a pm or post on here

many thanks
 
Your best option is to email trainers in your area and ones you are willing to travel to and ask them if they have any that they are kicking out just now. Even if the trainers themselves don't have anything they will point you in the direction of one if they know it is leaving racing. Good Luck in your search but be warned - they get addictive :D
 
I think you should get one that has been re trained professionally, one that you have been assessed on, no way should anyone not experienced in racing take on an ex-racer, this is because no matter how well you do with normal horses, TB's in training have been ridden in a certain way, and this is not the BHS way, yes you can get nice quiet ones straight out of a training yard, or go to sales, but there are trainers who are just glad to get rid of the cast offs, so it is buyer beware, and if you can't handle it, it may end up in a downward spiral. Also the flat bred ones are often too small for eventing, and if slow on the track are probably slow on cross country.
 
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Many trainers have horses to sell (including some very well known names) or horse they know of that are not worth putting into training. I have heard some very honest opinions of horses and the type of riders they will need and seen some extremely reasonable prices. I think contrary to popular belief, trainers want the best for the horses whether they are going to race or not.

There is a county by county list of all trainers on this web site: http://www.racehorsetrainers.org/homepage/index.asp
 
You also have the ascot bloodstock sales every month.
Failing that start ringing round your local training yards. 10-1 there will be plenty for sale!
 
Where are you in the country? if you are South East, I may know of a couple that are for permanent loan.

They will need re starting and *may* have some TB/Ex Racer 'quirks' :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for all your replys , extremely helpful indeed !

in regards to knowing what im taking on when getting an ex racer, in that past(quite a few years ago hehe! ) ive ridden out and also worked full time in racing yards so know them better than any other breed, the yards i rode out at were not in the big centres and quite small in comparison to some out there so nothing really avaliable when contacted old bosses.

But i shall start having a ring/email round the yards which arnt a million miles away from here, im sure something will pop up somewhere,but thought i might as well give here a try as i know there a quite a few people who have recentely/previousley took on ex racers

but thank you all once again for your replies !
 
MrsD123 said:
I think you should get one that has been re trained professionally, one that you have been assessed on, no way should anyone not experienced in racing take on an ex-racer, this is because no matter how well you do with normal horses, TB's in training have been ridden in a certain way, and this is not the BHS way, yes you can get nice quiet ones straight out of a training yard, or go to sales, but there are trainers who are just glad to get rid of the cast offs, so it is buyer beware, and if you can't handle it, it may end up in a downward spiral. Also the flat bred ones are often too small for eventing, and if slow on the track are probably slow on cross country.
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I don't agree with this - I am on my third - all directly out of training, all from different trainers and all but the first one previously unknown to me. I have never worked in the racing industry. I still have the first one, who is now 21 and in semi-retirement - the second one was sold to someone to do BSJA on, and my 9 year old mare is currently starting work. I have never felt safer on any other type of horse. As long as you start slowly, go back to lunging first, and letting them get used to the feel of a proper saddle, there is no reason to buy a retrained one - in fact I have known a few "retrained" ones from the rehab centres end up back at the centres because they have not been suitably matched with the owner. I would always buy directly from the trainer. They will help you as much as possible regarding suitability.
 
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I have had a few ex-racers in my time and found them all to have re-adjusted to normal working life vey well, i just took them back to basics and started slowly.
Just picked up the lastest on on thursday and had a lovely walk trot and canter with a small jump in menage today and she has only been out of training for 2 weeks
 
MrsD123 said:
I think you should get one that has been re trained professionally, one that you have been assessed on, no way should anyone not experienced in racing take on an ex-racer, this is because no matter how well you do with normal horses, TB's in training have been ridden in a certain way, and this is not the BHS way, yes you can get nice quiet ones straight out of a training yard, or go to sales, but there are trainers who are just glad to get rid of the cast offs, so it is buyer beware, and if you can't handle it, it may end up in a downward spiral. Also the flat bred ones are often too small for eventing, and if slow on the track are probably slow on cross country.
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I would never have a horse out of the training centres. TB's in racing have been ridden a certain way - yes, to get the most and the best performance out of them. National Hunt horses generally know good basic flatwork as they need it to jump. Some flat horses get school work to keep them supple, not all though. You can not compare a racing work rider with a BHS schooled rider. If we worked our racehorses in "The BHS Way" they would all be bloody slow and useless!

TB's in training centres have been ridden a certain way - yup to make them do as they are told when they are told with their heads down like robots. Not everyone rides the same way. If you took one of their horses home you would then have to learn how to ride it their way. If you got one straight out of training you could teach it your way, from scratch.

Most trainers (I know some who couldn't give a fig) wouldn't let their horses go to people that weren't capable of looking after them and making the most of them - it gives the trainer a bad reputation!

And as for being too slow to race therefore too slow to do cross country - That is one oif the stupidest and daftest things I have ever heard! Really! Come on now! Have a good think about what you just said!
 
Thanks everyone so much never expected so many replys

making a list of all the links people have told me, so hopefully something will crop up soon

and addictive ? eek dont tell me that :o !

but im glad so many people have/are having good experiences with their ex-racers
 
Liviaa'x said:
^^ ditto this. :D

Amazing place, been myself. they do demonstrations and open days.
Off there next week for work experience!
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i went there for work experience too it was acee!! only stopped coz it was costing me a fortune in petrol then my car broke :( i nearly got a gorgeous little tb called queenie from there!! she was fab!!!!
 
Thanks for all your help everyone

i did a bit of emailing and ringing round as well as put an add up and had so many replys i couldnt believe it

have got a few that im going to see that sound really promosing and hopefully will have a new member of the family soon :D !

thanks again everyone
 
I got mine straight off the track last August.

He's the most docile idiot I've ever come across. Thick as two short planks, constantly have to nag him to keep walking and really needy for attention! We have transitions down - he is only 3yrs old so our learning curves are not even little and often - but I am looking at getting a good flat instructor for later this year before I turn him away for the winter again (he had August until May off work and is just pottering with the odd lesson in real life!) My philosophy is that you can't do everything on your own.

He is my first ex-racehorse. Lucky for me he's proving quite easy but he is going through a really horrible argumentative phase and I just don't want to be bothered going up to see him at the moment!! Can't get his bridle on without a massive fight and ensuing trauma because he's suddenly decided he's earshy. IDIOT. Firm but fair is the approach. And lots of deep breaths!!

But then again, all youngsters go through a naughty phase so it's nothing out of the ordinary!!!
 
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