Wwyd, free OTTB, or get something on loan

siennamiller

siennamiller

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I may be in the position of looking for a new horse. I will have no money to buy said horse ( have all the gear ((and no idea, but that's another story )), and horse will be insured etc).
I could either get an OTTB, for free, or try and get something on loan that has been there and done it, but wants a slightly quieter life. I want to BE and BS up to 1m, 1.05 and have seen a few recently advertised on loan, jumping up to Nc.
I've had 2 tbs before, and re schooled, so not worried about that, although I'm aware I wouldn't be going out doing anything in a hurry if I took that option.

Any thoughts/advice on either option please?
 
I frequently say that I will never have another TB after our present one, but then if it was a choice between that and a loan horse (who might not be a permanent resident) I think I wd pick TB..

Ask me the next time my TB is lame though ;) and I might give a different answer. .

Fiona
 
If you have no money to purchase then you won't have the funds to potentially rehab a free OTTB surely, they often come with underlying issues that need treating
 
Affiliated competition is very expensive. I know there is a difference between having the money each month and having the lump sum to buy outright but if money is so tight that you cannot consider buying then I would suggest the loan option might be better. If things don't work out or you don't have the funds for something then the horse can go back with little or no harm done. If you take a free OTTB then you are still going to be responsible for care, vets bills etc. Insurance is absolutely not 100% cover for vets fees. Things get excluded, horses age. You are going to be responsible for this animal potentially for the rest of its life - and that is expensive I'm afraid!
 
I do know all this, I already have a horse,who has regular osteo, teeth checks, saddler, etc, I have the money for vet visits etc, it's just the initial sum I don't have, as I think I will prob have to have my mare pts rather than sell on :(.
 
Finding a good long term loan is like finding a needle in a haystack but I think would be your better option than a free OTTB, you'll soon rack up all sorts of costs trying to sort that out and by the time you've paid for all the vet bills, physio etc you could have bought yourself a horse without any issues!

Not sure financially whether this is an option for you but what about a loan (as in from the bank)? I know you shouldnt really be using a loan to buy horses but as long as the amount you take out is manageable for you to pay off each month I dont see why not. I bought a yearling as I wanted a youngster to bring on, I'd been looking for ages for something by a particular stallion then one came along that was in budget and had great breeding but I hadnt saved up enough to buy him, so I took out a loan for £2k. Yes naughty me, but it meant I got my perfect horse and its spread the cost over 2 years in an affordable way - paid off next May before I think about breaking him so ideal timing!

As the others have said, competing is very expensive especially BE - so if you can financially afford that at the moment, why not set the money aside each month and save up for a while to get something more suitable for what you want to do? I know saving is a bit boring but set some goals and it shouldnt take you too long.
 
Tbh I have not done BE this season for that reason, was concentrating on BS. I have considered it, but I already did that to get my car so I could tow (oops!). That would then take up the income I have left each month which pays for extras I.e. Osteo, saddler etc...
 
ihatework said:
Take the winter off horses, save the money and you will soon have sufficient to buy an Irish 4yo
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Agree with this. I am personally a major fan of TBs and wouldn't get anything else, but it sounds to me as if the only reason you are considering the TB is that it is free. Consider if you would pay £1500-2000 for the same horse as it is at the moment (i.e. have you fallen in love with it and think it might be a forever horse). If not then don't get it, as you will always feel slightly disappointed and may not commit fully to it.
Although I am usually a 'head rule heart' type of person, I really think that if you want a partnership with a horse for competing above low levels then it is better that the horse has at least 'twanged a heart string' in some way rather than just being convenient at the time.
 
No, I have had tbs before, and I loved them, I am a big fab of the tb, and would love to have another, plus I know I can get inside info to get one that has not had an injury etc.....
 
siennamiller said:
No, I have had tbs before, and I loved them, I am a big fab of the tb, and would love to have another, plus I know I can get inside info to get one that has not had an injury etc.....
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It sounds to me like you've made up your mind already :) I'm with you - I'd go for an OTTB. They don't all have issues. If you're happy to re-school etc and can get inside info on the history then go for it. Of course the upside to having the loan horse is that you can return it should it, not work out, so if you'e factored this in already then I think you've made your choice.
Good luck anyway
 
I would let all your horsey contacts know that you are looking and see what comes your way. Start scanning the ads as well. It may be a loan or ottb or something else cheap but I would keep an open mind and look for the right horse not a particular category.
 
The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, and other charities will find you a suitable horse, they really need half decent riders for the more forward going types.
Some such as Darley, sell on, others loan.
As for inside info on an ex racehorse, it is still risky: if your sole ask is for a sound horse you may find it lacks talent, a failed racehorse may also end up as a failed competition horse. Also it may be sound today but not be sound tomorrow. It may have a degenerative condition or other problem eg eyesight which was OK flat racing but no good for jumping.
 
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