Why do people want to own TB's?

saddlebags said:
Because I quite enjoy doing 'aires above the ground' without any dressage training at all,
.. going everywhere sideways,
.. cantering on the spot if stuck behind a slow walker on the trail,
..yelling apologies for my total lack of control as I pass people at mach 10 and ........generally having fun!

In fact I enjoyed this one so much I reproduced her. However her colt is almost like any other 'normal' breed and not nearly as entertaining to ride!
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:D that gave me a good giggle :D
 
Because being catapulted into the air on numerous occasions becomes quite enjoyable.

I don't actually know Andy is a pain in the bum- anyone want him? ;)
 
Because:

Mine is the softest creature in the world
He has got 'something' about him
He is sharp to hack but fun
He's got speed and brakes
He doesn't cost too much to feed because he's fussy and will only eat cheap pony nuts! :p


Shall I carry on? :)
 
I love my TB because:
She's really beautiful
The 'go' button works without fail
She has brakes
She doesn't spook
She made me learn a lot about equine nutrition so I can actually keep weight on her
I can buy lots of pretty expensive rugs to keep her warm
She like's people and cuddles
She learns new things really fast

and other than the first two points none of these can be said for my welshie....although I love her lots too :)
 
skewby said:
Misconceptions in my opinion, aside from the rubbish feet. I've just purchased my next horse and gone for a well bred and well brought up TB. After years of riding bouncing other breeds in a ton of ironmongery, and noticing them carrying complete novices in the most exciting of situations sensibly in snaffles. It was an educated choice, believe me
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Totally agree! Mine even has good feet! I spent a few years trying more 'sensible' type horses, completely lost my confidence and have since regained it on my sane Thoroughbred.

He's the fourth one I've had and he's definitely staying. I wouldn't have anything else now.
 
I'm confused - do some people have problems with their TBs? Ours has just turned 5 and is the nicest, most laid back chap I've ever met. He's immensely friendly and the easiest horse I've ever worked with. Took him XC training and he jumped everything first attempt, ditches, water, coffins, steps, everything - absolutely fearless. On the strength of his performance and the look of total joy on his face, we put him straight into BE 100 events and, after 3 events, he's had a total of 1 SJ fault and finished 5th in his 2nd ever event. I don't think there's many other breeds that can do this. He is an American TB, does this make any difference??
 
I love, love, love mine! Such an easy, laid back, delightful little horse to have around! An utter pleasure to do in every way - always the first at the gate when we arrive at the yard, and the last to leave when we turn them out again. He's athletic, bold, moves beautifully and is looking like he's going to have a decent jump (he's only 4, so are yet to test him)

He's a nippy, buzzy little horse - a real athlete, but quiet and generous enough to still be rideable and trainable, with a massive heart :)

J&C
 
Why drive a Mini when you can have a Ferrari? :D

Different strokes. If you are happy, who really cares?;)
 
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Because their unpredictability and buzziness makes them fun.

Kali is a Polish sport horse - lots of TB, some warmblood and some anglo arab . . . his quirky, nosey, inquisitive, sensitive nature is exactly why I love him. He plays with anything and everything . . . his TB'y brain means he has the attention span of a gnat, which also means I have to be on my toes to keep one step ahead of him . . . just picking his feet out gives him an opportunity to play - wuffling through my ponytail, nibbling the small of my back, twanging the elastic waistband of my jods. He is opinionated, insecure, playful, very intelligent, easily distracted, affectionate . . . in some ways he's like a kid with ADHD (albeit one that weighs in excess of half a ton!) . . . but he's sweet, clever, honest and . . . mine.

Oh, and he's FAST and can move beautifully when the mood strikes.

TBs are amazing athletes (which is not to say that cobs, WBs, other natives, etc.) are not.

P
 
Had a Irish sports with a tiny bit of cob, awful disaster, don't really like cobs, I like tb's and Arabs! You know what your getting! Highly strung and sharp but not always trying to outsmart you! Love love love my tb! She is laid back, easy to do, can stick in a good spook to keep you on your toes, permanatly being rubbed by fly asks etc, goes lame if you take time off to ride her! Loves to prat around in the field! But is such a good doer she is permanently on a diet and winters in a lightweight!! I love her to bits!
 
Because they are such people horses. They bond to you incredibly strongly and are very rewarding to own. Mine has good strong feet, and generally a calm, steady temperament (so long as she's living out or has regular gallops/jumps if stabled). If she isn't getting enough exercise in winter she does try to behave and gives me a fair amount of warning before losing the plot - plenty of time to get off and pop her on the lunge to burn it off! Much more than any of the others give! I love that she sulks if she doesn't get her morning kiss, that to her the world ends if I tell her off because she just wants to be loved so much. I love that she tries so hard to please. Always.

So ok she has issues with red fillers when jumping, and is accident prone, but she's my pet, and I love her for the peace she gives me after a day at work. I have others for competing seriously - her I have to enjoy, to love and to cherish.
 
Just because I love the look on people's faces when you tell then you have a 16'1 tb!! haha! (I'm only 5'2 & was riding my first tb at the age of 9..would never have another breed!)
 
My mare is a bit of a poor doer and does cut her legs easily, BUT she has fabulous feet (better than many a horse I've seen), a massive heart which she applies to anything that you ask of her, is a darling to handle, and extremely pretty and goes like stink should you want her to. A lot of fun for someone whose passion is horses, but sure, no good for someone who wants to drag a horse out for the odd hour on the occasional sunny Sunday afternoon.
 
Ginger Bear said:
Just because I love the look on people's faces when you tell then you have a 16'1 tb!! haha! Are people really impressed? I wouldn't be, any more than I am by the pratt zipping along in his Ferrari. I just don't get the whole "Oh, I have got an x, y or z. So what? (I'm only 5'2 & was riding my first tb at the age of 9..would never have another breed!)
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I had a tb for years, one of the best horses I ever had, but I never expected anyone to be impressed by him, anymore than I expect them to think "Oh wow, she's got this that or the other
 
not impressed..more horrified. The misconceptions people have off tb's make me laugh. I wouldn't expect anyone to be impressed by having a tb! what a strange idea..
 
Ginger Bear said:
not impressed..more horrified. The misconceptions people have off tb's make me laugh. I wouldn't expect anyone to be impressed by having a tb! what a strange idea..
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Sorry, got the wrong end of the stick there. I have never understood this thing that Tb's (off track or not) are extra special.

You are right about the misconceptions, I am about the same height as you and had my 1st tb (16.1) when I was 14, PC Instructors told me years later that they were horrified when I first turned up on him, he was such a gent though that they soon changed their minds.
 
I absolutely adore TB's - there are good and bad in every breed - they are not for everyone but there is nothing like the wind in your hair, full throttle cross country :)
 
I have to say I have nothing against TBs but I have never been attracted to them when looking for a horse but i suppose that's more to do with the fact i am always drawn to unusual coloured horses and you don't get many TB's that stray from the norm colour wise. Plus i guess I was always looking for a horse to showjump and TBs are not renowned for their SJing abilities (there are exceptions of course). I am not keen on the fine TBs but i have seen some stunning bigger built TBs - more the NH types.

One thing i DO like about the TBs and seems to be a trait most of them (especially ex-racers) have, is that they are some of the most bombproof horses about. They never seemed phased by any type of vehicle, they just want to get on and do the job. I think if you find one that is very laid back (and a lot of them are) they can often make great horses for novices and/or people who like to hack out because of their bombproof nature.

We have a 27 yo ex racer, he has blown tendons, sacrcoids, gets bad feet in the summer so has to have shoes in front and he is a little neurotic. However, when you're on board he is great (albeit he jogs!) and he won't spook, shy or be scared of anything!
 
I have had pretty much every kind of native breed. I've had show ponies and ridden cobs. I now have 4 tbs and work with them and I have to say I don't think I could have another breed of Horse. Yes I still have my natives and think it is hillarious that I work ride big, fit TB racehorses and then moonlight at the weekends and show shetland ponies under saddle.

What's not to like about a TB? Their tendency to be buzzy, easily damaged, dodgy feet yada yada but then you get the other side of them - they really will try their heart out for you no matter what you ask! I spend more time with my TB's heads hanging on my shoulders than I have shetlands in my pockets and that's kinda saying something!
 
I wouldn't swap my TB for the world. Most loving, kissable horse I've ever had. good feet, loves jumping, most capable horse at dressage I've ever ridden, and absolutely stunning. Can be sharp and spooky and occasional airs above the ground, but I'm so comfortable now I just laugh. Even rode him in a headcollar the other day. Best horse ever!:D
 
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That's why we love our TB ex-racer. He is talented, friendly and a joy to own and makes my sister smile from ear to ear. He is a total superstar and owning him is a privilege! His feet aren't *amazing*, but we've owned horses with a lot worse (a common coloured cob, no less!). He is snaffle mouthed at all times (including when he's doing fast work) and is very very sensible although when he's not being ridden he is astonishingly dim...
 
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