which would be best to retrain as an eventer

[madhector]

flat racer or NH racer? the flat racer i have in mind has lovely clean legs, is five, but no idea about its jump, obviously NH racer then you know it can jump, but is there going to be more wear and tear? opinions please

 

[Bossanova]

No preference- go for the best horse you can find and afford.
The jumping thing isnt an issue with either- flat horses learn to jump as quickly as any other youngster and hurdlers/chasers soon understand some fences cant be brushed through. Actually it's probs easier to start afresh with a flat horse jumping wise but there isnt much in it!!

 

[madhector]

thanks, going to proberly go to a NH yard tomorrow, and have found a lovely little flat racer so just trying to decide really, a week ago i had no options, now i have too many

 

[MissDeMeena]

As Boss said, there's nothing in it really.. only plus i'd have for NH, is they seem to have more of a 'been there done and seen that' attitude, which is a good thing when taking them out for their first outing (party).
tho generally flat horses are a better type for eventing, usually stockier, and the jump hasn't been flattened.

Swings and roundabouts

 

[madhector]

thanks, think will see what they have at the NH yard, know i found a very good flat racer, so will try and do a comparison

the plus side of the NH horse is that it will be free, as they dont sell them, just rehome, and if it doesnt work out they have them back

 

[zizz]

with regards to wear and tear the flat racer will have just as much as the NH as probably started at a younger age. I was lucky with my ex racer he wasn't even broken til he was eight just to ensure his legs were strong enough.

 

[seabiscuit]

I think go for the NH horse because they start training as a late 3 year old, or, if you are lucky, as a 4 or 5 year old.

The later theyv'e gone into training, the less risk of phyiscal problems.

If the flat racer was in training as a 2 year old I would be extremely wary of buying him as regards to severe physical problems showing up in feet/back before the horse even reaches the age of 6.

NH horses are chunkier types anyway the flat racers can be tiny.A substantial type is always better, and its nice that they would have had a bit of jumping education. I dont know what you mean MDM when you say that the flat racers are chunkier?!!!

 

[madhector]

thanks, that was my origional thinking, its just i fell in love with this flat racer, but he was raced as a 2 yr old, so think i might not take the risk, hopefully they will have something as special at the NH yard

 

[SillyMare]

Was just thinking the same thing about age (NH horses teding to start hard work later).

Some NH horses can be pretty tiny too - current trend toward flat-bred horses.

Ideal purchase (in my opinion) would be a NH horse that has never actually raced over fences - personally wouldn't be too concerned if it has done a couple of bumpers, but I would prefer that it hadn't learned how to jump at great speed.

NH horses can be a bit more 'worldly' too.

 

[BBs]

Ive had both, flat racer who was more highly strung and although had done hurdles too hated jumping.
He turned out to be a cracking show horse, had the cleanest legs!
Ive had and ridden a few ex pointers (bertie being one of them) and he was cracking. Brave as a lion but because he had raced he wasnt very careful.
IMO I would always go for an ex pointer/NH in favour to a flat racer.

 

[madhector]

thanks for advice guys, think will try for a NH racer, although im going to go and ride the flat racer just in case

 

[MissDeMeena]

[ QUOTE ]
I dont know what you mean MDM when you say that the flat racers are chunkier?!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't say chunkier, i said stockier.. NH horses tend to be big rangey types, where as flat horses tend to be little and butty.

 

[wizzi901]

ex NH/p2p would be my choice, usually a bit braver and unphased by height. Also seem to have seen a bit more of the world I suppose....

Whatever you get I would think you will be fine if it has nice clean leggies.

 

[cornwallexracers]

Mine are all ex NH horses, I think they are more level headed and because they've been jumping they know what its all about. I did have one mare that raced on the flat and she spent most of the time ploughing through fences, NH horses are a bit more savvy and find it so much easier to get themselves out of trouble if they need to. You don't last very long NH racing if you haven't got much between your ears!

Put it this way my current horse who's being retrained has been round the National and Gold Cup so the jumping is no problem! And he's so damn clever he picks the dressage up straight away! So my vote is NH!

 

[madhector]

thanks