Why are ex-racehorses so cheap... thoughts?

Girlracer

Girlracer

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Was just pondering as i clicked on the 'ex-racers' tab on horse mart and maybe they only have ones out of training on there but most are between 500 and 1200, i didn't look at every ad so can't comment on whether they are out of training or in work.

I can understand a horse off the track is a) a big risk and b) a lot of work, but why after they've been re schooled and are proven as a nice riding horse are they still so cheap?

Seems your better off not mentioning it's raced if you want to sell it for what it really is worth.
 
i guess they are cheap because alot of people wont buy an ex-racer as they are notorious for bad health, vices and injuries (i know all the ones i've known have all had major problems).

But not ALL are like that, but that is the stereotype
 
Because they work so hard so young they have a reputation for breaking easily combined with physical and mental issues left over from their racing days. Might not be true for all but its certantly the reputation they get and when ever they misbehave its blamed on them being an exracer so they never shift the name tag.
 
Because people think (somewhat ridiculously IMHO and I say that as someone who's worked on a flat yard) that they are all mental, unrideable and knackered to the point that they aren't fit to do any job.

But that's fine. Because I know the truth (that they are often the easiest to do in terms of clipping, loading, feet- having seen it all before and are easily re-trained and nearly all of them just aren't quick enough and retire sound) and I can buy them for peanuts. Shhh. Don't tell anyone or they'll all want one and we'll actually have to pay real money for them :D

ETS: All TBs are cheap. Even if they are doing exactly the same job as a warmblood they will be cheaper? :confused: People just don't appreciate true class any more :(
 
Reflects the current climate and the fact so many are coming out of training. They are not the easiest of horses to ride although I have to say most are a delight to handle on the ground, load, clip, shoe, etc etc Many also take alot of feeding to keep them from losing condition so are not always a popular choice for the average rider.
 
LuLu X said:
Because*all*they've been trained to do is run. They sometimes are backed normally then trained to run but it's like you're buying something that doesn't have almost a clue what you're asking. They're also really unpredictable when they come out of racing so unless you can source a good horse you don't know what you're getting yourself in for anyway! But i ADORE them! If you understand them and have patience, it'll be an amazing journey xxxx
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But in fairness, no youngster has a clue what you're asking it to do either and they can fetch an absolute bomb! And all of ours were backed normally. I'm not sure there are that many ways to back a horse. Jump horses tend to get more in the way of what we would call 'schooling' but they all know how to walk, trot, canter and hack. That's not a bad start really. And all horses are unpredictable. I would argue one off a race yard is much more likely to tow the line as it will have had manners put on it from the get go than someone's pet than has got away with blue murder!

ETS: sorry, I'm going to get off my soap box now. I just hate the way TBs are labelled as somehow inherently a nuisance, and even more so the mysticism that people seem to like to build up around horses off the track! They're just horses and therefore are all different but I don't think you get more mad ex race horses than you do cobs. Give me something straight off the track over someone's horrible spoilt 'pet' cob anyday. It'll be a damn site easier to re-train the TB I bet!
 
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jesstickle said:
ETS: All TBs are cheap. Even if they are doing exactly the same job as a warmblood they will be cheaper? :confused: People just don't appreciate true class any more :(
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You are right, a good quailty TB beats all other horses hands down, is there a bred so versitile at such a large number of disciplines that performs as well as Tb.
Most Warmbloods are 3/4 or more TB.
I would disagree that they are just trained to run. Ours are all good to hack and go hunting etc, and regualry school on the flat too.
Its always the same, the few bad ones gives them all a bad name, and there are a lot of idiots out there who frankly dont have the knowledge or skill to deal with a sensitive horse.
 
Because they often arn't really very good at anything, most are sharp, skinny (hard to keep weight on), prone to sensitive skin, feet, feel the cold, are built somewhat downhill, havn't had anything other than the most rudimentary schooling, don't have muscles in the right places to do anything other than go fast (-ish, in the case of slow racers), and are not usually suitable for the average rider. Oh, and they are boring colours, too. Other than that, they're great!
 
sandy3924 said:
Because, sadly, there are so many of them dumped when they prove to be too slow for the racetrack.
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Surely, it hardly matters if they can't win a race, they won't be racing any more. Btw some people think all TB racehorses have been hard raced at two year old and have been force fed, but this is not true.
According to the anti racing lot, they have been stuffed full of oats and forced to live in an artificial environment to encourage vices and ulcers.
Get a life guys, if they are too slow to win a race they will be sold or given to someone, OK a few may go to meat, but unlikely as they are small and not fat.
Some make top class eventers, some are happy hackers, and some are show hacks, also some win RoR classes. Yes, some find themselves in unsuitable homes, as do many other horse and ponies.
I am sure that plenty of foals sired by dressage stallions are useless, and are sold on, we don't hear people complaining they have been "dumped".
 
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Spotsrock said:
Mine's a perfect gent. I couldn't have had him if he wasn't cheap and I love him so i'm greatful.
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Well this is the same for me, although i got mine as a flat horse with no re schooling so was cheap.

But although many of us benefit from the fact that the TB is such an un-desireable breed it is also quite sad that that's seemingly what they've become in 'mainstream' equine world.

Oh well, i'm quite happy benefiting from it. Rather have my sharp little thoroughbred than a big cumbersome warmblood (and i have had my share of big cumbersome warmbloods :D)
 
I love ex racers - and wouldn't consider any other breed than a TB. In my experience they are genuine, easy to train and do everything you ask. In addition they've been there, done that so great in traffic etc. Yes some have problems but show me a horse that doesn't! I have 2 at the moment - my old boy I've had 10 years and he's a star - he's never been sick or sorry in his life. Those that dismiss them don't know what they're missing!
 
The trouble comes when you get the nice ones who've been reschooled properly and are going well, and people still say they're not worth much! Someone on here often says they wouldn't give more than £1500 for a ex-racer of any form... You'd be laughed off the yard if you offered that for Reg, and he's not exactly the finished product.

You get some seriously classy animals who have raced. I know of several ex-racers who've gone Novice within 2 years of reschooling by amateurs and people do miss a trick writing them off.

They're cheap because they get bad reps from people who get them who aren't ready or who don't get the help they need. Which is a shame.
 
dominobrown said:
You are right, a good quailty TB beats all other horses hands down, is there a bred so versitile at such a large number of disciplines that performs as well as Tb.
Most Warmbloods are 3/4 or more TB.
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It makes me sad that we have given up on our own wonderful TB in favour of some weird continental thing that is, in good part, bred from cart horses! I really don't understand why people are so disparaging about TBs. Best horses in the world. And the most beautiful of course :)
 
Lolo said:
The trouble comes when you get the nice ones who've been reschooled properly and are going well, and people still say they're not worth much! Someone on here often says they wouldn't give more than £1500 for a ex-racer of any form... You'd be laughed off the yard if you offered that for Reg, and he's not exactly the finished product.

You get some seriously classy animals who have raced. I know of several ex-racers who've gone Novice within 2 years of reschooling by amateurs and people do miss a trick writing them off.

They're cheap because they get bad reps from people who get them who aren't ready or who don't get the help they need. Which is a shame.
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If you won't take £1500 quid what about a straight swap for Nitty. One TB for another. Seems fair right? :p :D
 
Deseado said:
Because they often arn't really very good at anything, most are sharp, skinny (hard to keep weight on), prone to sensitive skin, feet, feel the cold, are built somewhat downhill, havn't had anything other than the most rudimentary schooling, don't have muscles in the right places to do anything other than go fast (-ish, in the case of slow racers), and are not usually suitable for the average rider. Oh, and they are boring colours, too. Other than that, they're great!
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I assume you are being ironic, but you failed to mention "typical TB feet", with ulcers.
 
Deseado said:
Because they often arn't really very good at anything, most are sharp, skinny (hard to keep weight on), prone to sensitive skin, feet, feel the cold, are built somewhat downhill, havn't had anything other than the most rudimentary schooling, don't have muscles in the right places to do anything other than go fast (-ish, in the case of slow racers), and are not usually suitable for the average rider. Oh, and they are boring colours, too. Other than that, they're great!
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Is this a piss take?

Reg lives out. He eats no more than any other fit horse in hard work. His feet are bad, but the badness is mainly from an unfortunate episode of seedy toe where it had to be dug out, but things are back on track now. He's built uphill, and has fab paces. He didn't have anything beyond knowing how to gallop and hack, but that's been changed by a teenage girl who had a lot to learn herself.

He is a very dull bay though. But genuinely the nicest horse around, and if we had the cash she would take on another ex-racer in a heartbeat. He is generous, kind and clever. And, for a boring bay, he's very very photogenic!
 
Well exactly. Look at the top horses a Burghley, look at the top horses in the show ring, even dressage, show jumping, polo, endurance even, hunting of course, riding club events, pony club, you name a TB has done it, and done it well.
I have had the oppurtunity to sit on some class TB's, and they outclass any other type of horse. The horse I pointed carried me over fences of 1.20m+ at spped and made it feel easy. I first learnt flying changes on an advanced medium dressage TB, and cleared 1.30m on an ex flat horse. Amazing horses.
If you know how to ride and care for them properly, they are bargains providing its a good TB. If not you might as well burn money. :)
 
Look how quickly this had become a TB love fest! :D

I have to admit, my current one is an absolute money pit mind. But she is the first really bad one I've known that actually fits the stereotype so I'll let her off.

And my WB is boring bay too so the colour thing doesn't even hold true. Unless you like horrible colours like palomino!
 
i dont know why but it works for me!

If TB's/ Ex-racers were more exclusive i probably wouldnt be able to afford to buy one so its just a brilliant co-incidence that i love TB's and they are so cheap!

If TB's were thousands of pounds i would still want one but its whether i could afford one, I would choose one over most* horses any day (*ok offer me Totilas and i may reconsider!)
 
My ex point to point TB sold for £25,000 when he was nine. 5 1/2 years later I got him for £400

He is the most well mannered, gentle, clever, soppiest horse ever.

He is bomb proof in traffic, doesn't stress, holds his weight quite well, looks very handsome and loves his cuddles. He is still in the racing mindset when you take him off road, but other than that he is perfect.
 
jesstickle said:
Look how quickly this had become a TB love fest! :D

I have to admit, my current one is an absolute money pit mind. But she is the first really bad one I've known that actually fits the stereotype so I'll let her off.

And my WB is boring bay too so the colour thing doesn't even hold true. Unless you like horrible colours like palomino!
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It's because they're awesome :D Such classy animals, Reg made the XC today look like it was tiny when it was causing lots of problems, and he nearly made the time (only one person did!).
 
If you think the TBs online are cheap don't go to the sales, they literally go for £200 there. I bought a 3yr old at Ascot last year for £200, beautifully bred, a sweet little filly. £200! People pay for for a pair of designer jeans!!!
 
maisie06 said:
Reflects the current climate and the fact so many are coming out of training. They are not the easiest of horses to ride although I have to say most are a delight to handle on the ground, load, clip, shoe, etc etc Many also take alot of feeding to keep them from losing condition so are not always a popular choice for the average rider.
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This is because the average rider is unable to feed a horse according to its requirements, and is unable to ride anything other than an RS plod.
I am going to start a new breed:
P.L.O...Ds.............
An IXPN Warmblood cross which comes in many colours.
This versatile animal loves cuddles and being bathed, it will turn its hoof to anything from pony club to musical dressage, but is equally at home at Olympia.
Good to clip and shoe [once every six months], never stops, will keep its condition on if fed ad lib molassed chaff with soaked sugar beet, a bale of moderate hay will last a week, or a month if you are hard up. He will happily stand out all night while you party, does not need fed at regular intervals as this would upset your social life.
Does not mind being stood in his stable for five days a week if that suits you, but no need to muck out daily, or add any bedding, after all you can bathe him if you want to show him at Olympia.
Sweet nature, and able to adapt to any rider at any level.
 
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